Sri Om Care cares for the elderly
By Neena Badhwar
Sri Om Care Foundation held its annual dinner on July 13 at the impressive Madison Lounge in Dural. About 125 people had an intimate dinner and entertainment by the Bandeesh Group privy to much needed, worthwhile work contributed by the organisation to the seniors in the community who are now aplenty in number.
The Indian community which came in the seventies is now ageing and also there are parents of newly arrived migrants who make up a sizeable number out of the 250,000 Indians in NSW alone. There are seniors everywhere who have joined their children, in joint families, helping to care for the grand children as well as helping in cooking and simply by being at home during the day. Although the life at home becomes easier yet these seniors need friends and a bit of social life. Now there are many groups, associations which look after the seniors. Sri Om Care Foundation, which started ten years ago, has grown considerably now looking after around 400 elders servicing them through seven centres operated by the foundations’ seventeen dedicated trained staff.
Not only that Sri Om Care also provides Private Homecare, Consumer Directed Care, Personal Care, Domestic Assistance, Respite Care, which is culturally specific for the Indian as well as wider community. Their staff are qualified and are multilingual with over ten years’ experience. Cleaning, cooking, mopping, shopping, ironing, washing, washing dishes, showering, shaving, grooming, massage, toileting to even helping dress up or making bed, you name it, Sri Om Care provides.
The night had speakers as Srini Vasudevan, director ”“ learning and development, gave an audio visual presentation of Sri Om Care Foundation and its services. Vidya Raghavan, director ”“ People Relations, was the MC of the evening with Jay Raman as the Vice Presdient who gave a short report on Sri Om Care Foundations audit report as well as broke the news that at IRT Berala Centre, Sri Om Care has been able to secure 25 beds just for the Indian seniors. The news brought applause from the audience.
The foundation proudly has the divine blessings of its Guru, Divine Mother, H H Sri Om Adisakthiyendra Swamigal. Everyone at Sri Om Care works under Devi’s divine grace and with pure heart. As Vidya explained, “Many people come up to them at stalls. They ask why this service?”
She explained that many people think they can look after their mother, their father, after all they are the family. Yet at times Sri Om Care’s specialised care is very much needed when one who cares for the elderly at home needs a break. “Our staff will give that special care with love and affection like at home. We are there to give that respite, that qualified special attention to one in need.”
Another issue that is being talked about is Dementia which even the Indian community is not spared of. Anju Mathur gave insightful slide presentation and talk on dementia during the night.
In the end it was Bandeesh singers pelting some memorable filmi numbers ”“ Zindagi aur kucchh bhi nahi teri meri kahani hai. Life is, yes, it is yours and my story.
It is short and is to be enjoyed while one can. You could see many enjoying the light atmosphere some even getting up to dance. Food was delicious served by Ajay’s Maya Da Dhaba, north as well as south Indian dishes ”“ saag, tandoori missi rotis, hot piping dosas, idlis and uttapam in one’s plate, people mingled and mixed. Seniors or not, hot jalebis made in front of you, how could one refuse. Till of course one day, when very old and infirm, one may need the help by the caring staff of the Sri Om Care Foundation, of course.
(Pics courtesy Harmohan Walia of Desi Australia and Neena Badhwar)
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