Fighting Covid with Dignity

I am an active member of the Dignity Foundation(DF) for the last couple of years. I also  regularly contribute articles to the Dignity Dialogue- the monthly magazine of the Foundation. DF has been conducting regular  `Chai Masti `Sessions ( Theneer Aranagm in Chennai) providing opportunities for members to interact personally through various activities. These sessions are held in the evenings between 4 & 5.30pm  on a daily basis five days a week  in designated locations. Many members, who are all senior citizens living alone or with their spouses, use this facility  to unwind themselves, and have a good time. Unfortunately due  to the Lock down these  activities could not be held  for the last 2 months. To beat Covid with dignity, the Dignity Foundation has come up with daily Zoom sessions that feature well known speakers, members going down memory lane, jokes, kitchen tips & recipes, online singing & acting,  playing  online Tambola and  many more. Members, have adapted to this new idea and can be seen participating  in large numbers. I also participate in sessions that interest me. Recently in a session featuring new recipes I talked about my favourite recipe for `Cheese paniyaram`.

The success of this idea is best described by one of the members , `It feels wonderful to be connected despite the distance. We are having so much fun. I look forward to 4 pm every day. Also, those members who have been unable to come to the centre have now been able to stay in touch through this online facility. It’s a matter of pride to say I also ‘zoom’ at my age! The meaning of being an extended family has been proved in this period thanks to the DF staff.

Dementia Day Care centre is one of the very useful services DF  offers  in Chennai.  Due to restriction on movements imposed by the Lock down, this service,  under which they look after about 30 dementia patients spread across Chennai, is temporarily suspended. This service involves picking up the patients  in Vans from their homes in the morning and after looking after them during day time ( including providing them meals and refreshments)  they are dropped back. Of course the users of this service have to pay a nominal fee for the service. The temporary suspension has led to many patients going into deep depression. To help them get over it, dynamic volunteers at the Chennai chapter take turns to provide video counseling to  such patients and try to boost their morale. A thoughtful gesture indeed! The Chennai chapter headed Ms Felicita the dynamic leader  and her dedicated Team are doing a great job.

For those who are not aware,  Dignity Foundation is a non profit organization that has been working for the cause of senior citizens for over 25 years. DF deals with the psycho- social challenges of senior citizens in India irrespective of their caste, creed and economic strata.  Headquartered in Mumbai, DF has chapters in Kolkatta, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad and Delhi NCR.  Chennai Chapter with the main administrative office in Anna Nagar also has branches in Thiruvanmiyur, Abhiramapuram and Alwarpet.

Dignity Foundation also manages a  Dignity Lifestyle Retirement Township  located at Neral, just 90 kms from Mumbai.  It is spread over 25 acres of land near the picturesque hill station of Matheran. Dignity Lifestyle offers senior citizens an opportunity to live in a secure, unpolluted, quiet and clean environment with other people of similar age group. A dream child of Mrs. Shielu Sreenivasan of Mumbai, Dignity Founation is one of the most professionally run facility for senior citizens in India. I am proud to be associated with Dignity Foundation.