Mangalore: St Ann's Home for the Aged - Inmates Yearn for a Stable Roof
Florine Roche
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Jan 12: "Treat old people normally and thank those who have undertaken the task of taking care of the elderly", seems to be easier said than done especially in today’s materialistic world. Very often families find it a ‘burden’ to tender for their own parents/grandparents for varied reasons and that is when old age homes come in handy both for the elderly and their kith and kin.
Way back in 1949, Society of Sisters of St Ann of Providence, which runs educational institutions, hospitals and Homes for the aged in different parts of the country, had set up St Ann’s Home for the aged at Simon Lane, Mangalore, in order to provide succor for the elderly women. Though taking care of the elderly was not as much of a “problem” in Mangalore as it is now, the society set up the Home in order to create a place with activities and support system for the elderly and to cater to their specific needs. The sisters took care of the health, social, recreational and logistical needs of the inmates of the house.
Bishop’s Invite
The Sisters of St Ann of Providence had come to Mangalore in 1948 following the invitation of the then Bishop of Mangalore. It all started with 2 inmates to begin with and the number swelled slowly but steadily. Sr Adolpha, an Italian nun rendered valuable service here for a long time in the service of the inmates. . There have been many changes since the old age home was started and the number of inmates kept increasing putting burden on the existing infrastructure as they could say ‘no’ to many elderly who were brought to the home in pathetic conditions. 30 years back a new block was constructed attached to the old block which houses the kitchen and the residence of the nuns. In the downstairs of this block some inmates are also housed.
Today this Home for the Aged which caters only for women 60 years and above, houses about 65 inmates and takes care of their needs, with the same perseverance and dedication with which it was started six decades ago, despite odds not favoring them. There are 12 nuns out of which only four are actively involved in running the home. The other nuns are old and retired who had served here for many years in the service of the inmates and are unable to work anymore. Of the remaining 4 nuns two are students who learn and work and that leaves only 2 sisters to take care of the inmates, which they do with the help of 9 co-workers. Though some inmates help in the kitchen most of them are unable to manage their own personal tasks leave along being of any help in the kitchen or elsewhere.
Saga of Struggle
Unfortunately, over the years the condition of this old age home has become quite vulnerable mainly because the main building that houses the inmates is on the verge of decrepitude. The existing building which was constructed in 1949 lacks basic sanitary facilities and is susceptible to heavy rains and even to heavy breeze. The roof leaks during the rainy season and keeping the inmates dry and the place foolproof has become quite an onerous task for the nuns and the caretakers. The dilapidated condition of the roof is also dangerous for the lives of the inmates. “We have undertaken repairs for the block 2/3 times in the last six decades but now it is beyond repair. Cost wise also it is not economical to undertake repairs or patchwork as the condition becomes worse within a few years”, says Sister-in-Charge of the Old Age Home Sr Celine D Souza”.
Since the building was constructed in the 50’s the toilets and bathrooms are situated at a distance, though in the same block. But this distance becomes too much for the inmates who are aged, immobile or are wheel-bound. For these inmates walking even 10 steps becomes a formidable task and for the caretakers it becomes quite hectic to attend to them. Even the dining room is situated a little away from the main hall and in an elevated position. But hardly a few inmates come to the dining hall as majority of them have to be fed by the co-workers in their seats in the long verandah where they spend most of their time.
In between, the society had decided to close the Home as managing it was beyond its means and Sr Louisa was sent to Mangalore for accomplishing this task. But her conscience did not allow her to do it and she begged and borrowed and even went in search of donors to feed the inmates. As a result the Old Age Home continues even now to serve women who are old, helpless, single, widowed or have no one to take care of them at homes. “In bigger rooms we can accommodate only 5 inmates and many a times we are unable to say no to those who are badly in need of our service”, Sr Celine avers.
Beyond Repair
Though the Society has been thinking of reconstructing the block and has even prepared a plan it could not go ahead due to lack of enough funds and had to be content only with repair work. Sadly the outcome of such patchwork was short lived and the situation was back to what it was and sometimes even worse.
A look around the old block clearly shows that the building is beyond repair and has outlived its period. The walls look too jaded and the paint and plaster has peeled off in many places. Even the condition of the rooms of the inmates is quite unsafe as the leakage often leaves their beds and clothes wet during rainy season, the signs of which are clearly visible on the walls.
Most of the inmates are above 70 and have difficulty in mobility and suffer from various ailments and are not capable of taking care of their own needs. The co-workers and the nuns have to attend to every need of their including bathing, cleaning, washing clothes, dressing, combing, feeding, giving medicines, take them for their ablutions and even help them walk around.
They also have to pay special attention with regard to their diet as a majority of the inmates suffer from age-related ailments. Some prefer only chapattis, some rice and some congy and the caretakers carry out all this with meticulous precision but with a humane touch. Most of the inmates brought here come from different background and under various circumstances and they find it difficult to adjust. Some have problems with their children or daughter-in-laws. Some spinsters find it extremely tough to adjust and live with their relatives. Inmates who come from various such backgrounds are quite mulish and some are too adamant. They keep pestering the nuns and co-workers to take them out of the home. But the nuns and caretakers handle all such situations brazenly but with love, care and with kindness. To deal with such situations 24X7X365 calls for tremendous patience and fortitude which the nuns have exhibited in ample measure and have inspired the co-workers also to do the same.
Service Thy Motto
The inmates are charged a nominal fee, the maximum of which is about Rs. 3000/- per month at present. There are a few who are unable to pay it and some concessions are made for those who are not able to pay. But the amount of Rs. 3000/- (increased recently to deal with inflation) is hardly enough to take care of their boarding, lodging, medicines and their other needs especially in this time of inflation. Very often it is the rich or those who are capable of paying grumble when the Home decides to increase the fees. There have been suggestions also to build a separate block to house those who can afford to pay. But the nuns have not obliged to such outrageous suggestions. Sr Celine says “service is our motto. We don’t discriminate among inmates, rich or poor. All are treated equal without differentiating on caste, creed, culture or religious beliefs. But now we follow certain rules and regulations while admitting. There were instances where people used to bring the old ladies and then disappear after that. Now, we are careful with these matters and keep a good record of the relatives or family members who bring them here. In case of orphans we have shown leniency”.
As of now all the inmates who live in this old block live in fear and are constantly faced with countless problems. It is like a Damocles’ Sword hanging on their heads always. This Home for the Aged needs a new block to house all its inmates so that they can spend their twilight years in peace and without fear for their lives. When these nuns working here are sacrificing their lives in the service of the aged and the sick, we can at least show our generosity by helping in whatever little way we can. The Home is looking for philanthropists and donors whose kindness, munificence or charity would go a long way in having a stable roof over the head of our senior citizens at this Old Age Home.
Contact Address:
Society of Sisters of St Anne of Providence
Unit St Anne's Home for the Aged
Simon Lane, Angelore
Kankanady Post
Mangalore - 575002, Karnataka
India
Email: stannsangelore@yahoo.com
Bank Account Details:
Syndicate Bank
Kankanady Branch
S B A/C No 01062010072234
Mangalore - 575002
IFSC Code: SYNB0000106