'Old age homes to be ready in two years'

October 26, 2015 07:53 am | Updated November 16, 2021 03:53 pm IST

Q. The department is coming up with new homes for senior citizens, mentally challenged, and visually challenged persons. By when are the homes likely to be completed and how will these improve the situation for vulnerable sections in Delhi?

All the homes will take around two to two-and-a-half years to be functional. With the breakdown of the joint family structure, the need for opening homes for senior citizens is being increasingly felt. Whether we like it or not, senior citizens are being compelled by family circumstances to take shelter in institutions in the last days of their life. So the government is taking steps in this regard.

Care of the mentally challenged is very difficult for poor families. So, many of them are abandoned and need special care in government homes.

Visually impaired students come in large numbers from neighbouring States, attracted by the quality education Delhi offers. But, many of them cannot get accommodated in the college hostels of Delhi University as the demand outstrips supply and are compelled to stay in private hostels, which may not provide good facilities. So the government has decided to construct hostels for the visually challenged college going students.

Q. So far, there have been no hostels for the visually challenged women in the Capital. What has prompted the government to build a home now?

For college going girl students, there is no hostel constructed by the government. Girl students face safety issues in private hostels. This is the reason why a hostel for the visually challenged girl students is being constructed.

Q. Do you think the facilities currently being provided at these homes are enough? How do you think the situation can be improved?

There is always scope for improvement. Initially at all our homes, we had concentrated on providing basic facilities of boarding and lodging. Now our focus is to provide quality care, education, vocational training, and rehabilitation facilities.

Except for the homes for senior citizens, the rest of our homes should help the person move forward and lead a normal life.

Q. What are the plans that the department has in mind for other vulnerable sections in the Capital?

We have constructed five half-way homes for the treated mentally ill, to facilitate their reintegration in society. We held a workshop on October 16 where NGO representatives running half-way homes in other parts of the country and psychiatrists from Delhi and outside discussed the modalities of making the homes operational. Based on the inputs we have received, shortly, we will be inviting NGOs to run these homes.

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