I’ve always been one for gaining all kinds of experiences in life, and working at Aurum has given me an experience of a lifetime. Working at Aurum has been a waking reality that I feel privileged to witness and be a part of. As soon as you set foot into their grounds you can feel an aura of calmness and positivity. The geriatric age group because of excessive degeneration is not given proper care sometimes. But this age group because of dependencies and feeling forlorn, requires more attention, love, and empathy which the environment and staff of Aurum have not only given to the elderly but also taught me how to give.
My experience with Aurum has been nothing short of waves of joy that I feel interacting with the older generation. This generation has so much knowledge and experience to impart that they often aren’t able to because of feelings of loneliness. The warm, and accepting atmosphere at Aurum allows senior citizens to put forth their problems and confide in someone. It’s been a learning experience to get to witness the real-life problems of the geriatric age group. Moreover, what I’ve learned are the different kinds of ways to approach their problems, and how these approaches tackle problems differently as compared to problems of the younger generation.
This age group presents itself with a unique set of problems such as memory loss, dementia, depression, loneliness, etc. Aurum has adopted some very unique methods of helping out. A separate games room has been made along with a lavish dining hall where every evening senior citizens play a game of cards after a cup of tea. A gymnasium along with a physiotherapy room has been provided with low-impact activity equipment which especially works on the joints of the senior citizens, thus ensuring physical activity.
Merely the act of getting together for dinner with people of your age group provides a cheerful atmosphere. What sets Aurum aside I feel, is how it tries to make its citizens feel at home, by providing them everything they’d get at home. The little things such as celebrating festivals like Dussehra and having Diwali parties make such a difference. From a small shrine to a balcony to go out to feel the fresh air, the elders can never not feel at home. Even food can be customised according to liking, and to instill a spirit of independence they can make their own food in the kitchen. The location where the structure is built is comparatively calmer than the rest of the city.
The best part of my experience has been getting to know the staff. While maintaining a professional attitude, they also make sure the elderly feel respected and included. They’re vigilant and present 24/7 for top-notch care. The staff from nurses to housekeeping doesn’t sympathize, rather empathizes with the elderly, which I feel wards away feelings of vulnerability. Not once have I seen a wrinkle on their forehead while helping out.
Aurum, more than the impact of a senior citizen facility has given the impact of a second home for this age group I haven’t felt for a second that I’m not home while spending time and gaining experience with the staff and the elderly, I can only imagine how safe and at home must the elderly feel being here.
Vanya Duggal
“Almost 18-year-old Vanya is an enthusiastic writer and reader and studies at Suncity School. She’s a keen psychology student and shares a unique bent of mind about stigmatised social issues which she writes about beautifully in her articles”
