COVAI PROPERTY CENTRE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, COIMBATORE
TAKING SENIOR CARE TO THE NEXT LEVEL
With a view to take Senior Care to the next level, a meeting was held on Sunday, 14th March 2010 at the Retreat at Soundaryam. The residents of Soundaryam, Santhosham and Shenbhagam Estates attended. The meeting was chaired by Colonel (Retd) A Sridharan, VSM, MD of Covai Property Centre India Pvt Ltd.
The purpose of the meeting was to carry out a brain storming session and evolve ways and means by which we can take up the subject of Senior Care in its entirety. It was also with the intention to take stock of what is being provided, what is being planned and ultimately what is desired by the residents so that we can take necessary steps to improve the satisfactory levels of Senior citizens.
Colonel Sridharan said that we have to provide total quality senior care for which a separate company called SERENE SENIOR CARE PVT LTD has been set up. Ultimately, all the projects meant for Senior Citizens, including the ones in Coimbatore already existing and in the pipeline will come under the umbrella of Serene Senior Care so that we can provide similar care in all Senior Care Centres. We have worked out on plans to set up over 5000 homes by 2015-2016 in various cities across India with each model being spread over 12 acres with over 700 dwellings. In Phase- I it has been planned to have these Senior Care Centres at Chennai, Bangalore and Pune under the brand name of SERENE SENIOR CARE.
Initiating the discussions, Col Sridharan sought the views of the residents present on the following issues:
1. Services
2. Care
3. Wellness
4. Entertainment
5. Group activities
6. Active life
The purpose was mainly to bring to focus the subject of Senior Care to the larger section of the population. In so doing, it is essential to understand how we can contribute within our means to a larger number of Senior citizens who do not have access to such facilities that we enjoy. At the same time it was necessary that we evolve ways and means to enhance the quality of active life of senior citizens living in our facilities
It was a very interesting interactive session and variety of opinions, options, requirements and ideas were thrown out by all the residents present.
Some of the important decisions that were taken and by which we can make the subject of Senior Care more meaningful are as follows:
- The prime concern should be to make Senior citizens’ life active. If we can achieve active senior life, not only will it enhance the life span of the senior citizens but it would also keep their brain fertile and engaged and consequently, bring fulfillment in their lives. As such, this is one area which needs lot of attention, since we are in the business of creating avenues to lead active senior life. If senior citizens choose to lead a very quiet life, it would be detrimental to their well being. Some of the ideas to make the senior citizens life active are as follows:
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Social work in the neighbourhood – It was suggested that a group of people interested in such activity may come together, discuss among themselves what they would like to do so that the Management can facilitate such social activities. This can be in the form of providing assistance in running of the neighbourhood village schools, teaching the art of communication to children, teaching languages like Hindi, taking up certain vocational training for the house wives in the villages or on issues like water, hygiene, sanitation as well as waste management etc. Colonel Sridharan said that all these can be structured and the Management would desire to know the list of such people who would like to get themselves engaged in these activities so that with the help of local administration, we can get involved. |
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Qualified professional can address the B-School students and share their experiences. Those who wish to share their experience were requested to give their names along with their brief bio-data and the subjects of interest, so that it can be circulated to the B-schools. |
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Organising group activities such as sharing ones life’s experience, anecdotes spiritual classes etc. But specific dates for conducting these events in a structured Time Table has to be decided by the residents themselves and intimated to the Management to make necessary arrangements |
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Entertainment and group activities like playing Tombola, Singing with Karaoke, watching Music and Dance performances on specific dates which can be decided by the residents. |
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Making use of the activity centre for Yoga, Pranayama or any religious activity so that it enhances group cohesion also. |
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Nominating two days in a month as Seniors’ Days. Residents can invite their friends/relatives to the Retreat/Second Innings and spend a full day by organizing some spiritual classes, making use of the Ayurvedic Parlor, playing indoor or party games, entertainment, gossiping and in the evening end with a cultural programme which can be a dance, music or even a movie. The aim is to meet other Senior citizens who live elsewhere. For them also it would be a welcome change. The residents were requested to examine these ideas and decide on the modalities so that the management can work on planning and execution. |
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Organising picnics at least once a month to places of interest or go on collective tours to religious places or tourist spots, either organized by the residents themselves with the assistance of the management or through a travel agent. This could be decided by the residents and, the management will do the needful. |
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There was an interesting suggestion to have an in-house magazine which can be printed once a month and circulated. Colonel Sridharan requested the residents to volunteer so that we can have 3-4 active participants who can make this happen. Mrs Rajeswari of SDM volunteered to be the Editor. If all the residents can contribute for this magazine, the editorial team can select articles of interest and get this magazine going. The management will provide necessary assistance to have this magazine circulated as well. It is the small beginning, and who knows if this small beginning can lead to national level magazine for Senior Care. For that to happen we need to sustain the interest and have the motivation to succeed. |
- In House Points – The meeting also discussed certain aspects of services which could make life better. Colonel Sridharan said that we are in the process of evolving a manual for services, making check lists and monitoring the work of the staff so that weaknesses noticed can be corrected with training so that we can provide total quality service. The aim is not only to have a manual but to have staff trained so that they can provide service in a better fashion which would also help them know their responsibilities including in emergencies. The residents were requested for their co-operation. He said that the management would strive to have this in place in a month’s time.
- Convenience Store – On the question of having convenience stores, Colonel Sridharan said that this is not financially viable as of now. Instead, we have evolved a drop box system where the residents can give their requirements and the management will arrange for the same. Similarly the drop box can also be used for getting specific medicines that are not available in the local pharmacies. However, prescription will be necessary for prescription drugs. The drop box will also be placed in the dining hall.
- Letter Box – The residents desired to have individual letter boxes at the gate or near the Retreat for which they are willing to pay the cost. This will ensure proper delivery of mails. The management will implement the same and collect the cost in the monthly bills.
- Need for a Department Store – It was informed that such a store is coming up at Madhampatty. At present Pazhamudir is coming every Tuesday to supply fruits and breads. The Drop Box system was the alternative and the residents agreed that this suggestion be implemented as discussed.
- ATM – Banks are not willing to set up ATM unless they have minimum of 500 clients. However, since State Bank of India has set up a new branch at Perur, GM (S) will consult SBI to check whether they would be willing to set up an ATM for our residents. The infrastructure for the same can be provided.
- Movies – As of now the Management decides the movies for the month which are basically two Tamil, one Malayalam and one Hindi movie. If the residents collectively give specific choice that can be procured. If there are too many choices it becomes difficult to fulfill requirements of all. GM (S) to institutionalize systems by which the residents can get to see the recently released movies.
- Business centre – this has been planned and will come up along with construction of nursing home and assisted care centre.
- Travel Desk – This can also be made as part of the responsibility of the person managing the business centre. Till then the drop box can be used and the management will do the necessary work.
- Stray Dogs Menace – In spite of our best efforts we have not been able to get these dogs away. We will consult the authorities to take them away or find some alternative means.
- Lift – Lift for the Second Innings at Shenbhagam – Colonel Sridharan said that the plan doesn’t exist for the lift in the architecture. Besides the cost of such lift will be very high. As such we will not be able to provide this lift for going to the first floor whereas at the Retreat there is a ramp. We will look at the possibility of creating a ramp at The Second Innings.
- Security – Colonel Sridharan reiterated that no security is 100% proof. The residents were once again requested not to keep cash and valuables at home in excess of their requirement and do not give temptation to the staff. Whereas the staff is continuously briefed, what an individual will do at any one particular time cannot be predicted. As such, we need to safeguard our valuables. As for the external security, we are taking measure to monitor the systems. GM (Services) and the Resident Managers will follow the systems evolved and ensure continuous 24 x 7 security.
Conclusion:
It was an interesting meeting where we could discuss various issues and by implementing these suggestions not only will be able to lead a more active Senior life but will also be able to spend our time better.
Colonel Sridharan thanked all those present for their active participation and said we should have such interactive sessions periodically.The meeting was closed at 7.15PM.
Suma Mohan
Customer Relations Officer
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