The second wave has left similar shelters in and around Mumbai on the edge; as most ban visitors, the already-lonely inmates lose a big slice of their social life.
Paramshantidham Vriddhashram, Taloja. Pic/Rajesh Gupta
Fifty-six senior citizens housed at an old age home in Taloja have contracted COVID, triggering a scare among many such shelters in and around Mumbai. Of the Taloja inmates, 14 have been admitted to MGM Hospital, Kalamboli, while three of them are reportedly in a serious condition.
Authorities of Paramshantidham Vriddhashram in Taloja made all their 61 senior citizens undergo tests after two elderly persons, aged 69 and 77 years, died last week. The reports left them shocked.
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"We have started the segregation on the basis of symptomatic and asymptomatic inmates. Fourteen of them who complained of breathlessness were sent to MGM Hospital, of which 3 are critical," told Abhay Wagh, the manager of the old age home.
"We were taking utmost care since the beginning of the pandemic and managed to keep all inmates safe. But this time it has struck very badly. Of our 7 employees, except the cook, all including me have got infected," he added.
The Panvel Municipal Corporation has declared the entire Vriddhashram a mini-containment zone. "We are monitoring the health of each and every person at the Vriddhashram. One team of medicos visits the premises twice a day. Sanitization has been done in the entire area.," a PMC official told mid-day.
The wrath of the second wave has caused worry among those managing other homes for older people. Dr. Mahaveer Murkunde, administrator of Aastha old age home in Belapur that has 17 inmates said, "It’s been a year since we have stopped visitors at home. Whoever wants to meet their parents, we request them to meet at a distance but we don’t allow them to come closer to our inmates. We have managed till now this way, but don’t know the way forward."
Manisha Kotak, trustee of Anand Vruddhashram in Palghar that houses 27 senior citizens, said, “It’s been 2 months since we have stopped visitors. We have vaccinated each and every person here and managed well till now. We have tied up with a hospital here that regularly conducts examinations of inmates.
Yogesh Thakur, trustee of Radhika old age home at Gorai, they admit new inmates only after their COVID tests. He said their numbers range between 55 and 99 and the shelter is home to 65 elderly persons at the moment. “We have vaccinated all our inmates. Though we have stopped visits to the family we have a video call facility for them to keep in touch."
The pandemic has brought in tough times for senior citizens at old age homes, said Prakash Boragaonkar, director at Helpage India.
"Earlier, there used to be various sessions, festival celebrations, visits, but all have stopped completely. They are not even allowed to touch their family members in case of a visit. Many of the inmates at old age homes are not even vaccinated."
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