Old-age homes in Hyderabad

Retiring to an old-age home in your twilight years is no longer considered a taboo. With the young generation staying away from home mostly because of job opportunities, old-age homes are now considered as safe haven for the elderly.

In Hyderabad there is a variety of old-age homes, both free as well as paid, each with their own set of facilities, rules and regulations. Asklaila gives you a low-down on some of the popular old-age homes in Hyderabad.

Old Age Welfare Centre at Miyapur is one of the most renowned in the twin cities with both paid and unpaid services, and is funded by the International Helpage India, London. They have five centres in all. One of their programmes is called Adopt a Granny, wherein you can sponsor an elderly person who is not economically well off.

Little Sisters of the Poor (at Padmarao NAgar for people above 65 years), Aram Ghar (at Sivaramapally for poor, handicapped and destitutes), Medical Educational and Natural Services /MEANS (provides medical assistance for the bed-ridden aged), Indian Red Cross Society Home for the Aged (Himayatnagar) are a few of the noteworthy places that provide food, accommodation and other facilities for the elderly, free of cost.

Paid facilities range from being reasonable to high-end, depending on what you have in mind. Most of these have refundable/non-refundable deposits, based on the type of accommodation (dormitory, double, single, deluxe) and condition of the person (able bodied, bed-ridden).

Reasonably-priced homes in the city are Aanand Ashramam (vegetarian), Badam Sarojadevi Old Age Home (vegetarian), Anurag Vanaprastaashram (at Ramachandrapuram for people above 50 years), Sri Sai Old Age Home (at Miyapur for Arya, Vegsya, Brahmins), Sadhana Home for the Aged (at Habshiguda for mentally challenged) and Chudamani Vrudha Ashram (at Kukatpally for ladies only).

The high-end old-aged homes include Shanti Old Age Home (7 centres), Chandra Rajeshwararao Old Age Home (Kondapur), MS Shraddha Old Age Home (Neredmet), Maharshi Vanaprastha Ashram (Padmarao Nagar), Sanghamitra Home for the Aged , Serene Old Age Home , and Venkateswara Charitable Trust Old Age Home (Old Bowenpally).

Some of the services rendered at these centres include: medical assistance round-the-clock, specialist doctors on call, cable TV, care for the ailing, library, health club, psychological counselling, indoor games, complete geriatric care, and excursions.

If you want to make a difference in the lives of these old people, in your own simple way, you can donate to these organisations or to the funding organisation for the aged - Helpage India (you can reach them at +91-40- 27427066/27428472). Even better if you become a volunteer and help add a smile to those lovely wrinkled faces.

Happiness and blessings, lots of them, guaranteed!