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India is at the crossroads of dealing with a growing elderly population combined with the dilemma of who should really be responsible for the seniors of this country. While today India is still considered as a young country. In about 30 years from now, the elderly population in India is expected to triple from 104 million in 2011 to 300 million in 2050, accounting for 18% of the total population in 2050. (Source CII)

For the longest time elder care services only translated into poorly run and managed insitituional care for destitutes or the abandoned. Professional care for elderly was a complete no go and only availed by those as a last resort. But a lot has changed in the last decade or so. Senior living and senior care both have gone through transformational processes. The stigmatisation of seeking professional care for your parents is beginning to get challenged. Senior care housing is no longer a requirement for parents of children ‘who could not look after them’ but is increasingly becoming an active choice by seniors themselves. Old age homes are being redefined by professionally run large retirement communities or small boutique offerings with specialised care, managed by trained caregivers and professionals.

When it comes to residential care for seniors, most people would initially only be looking for old age homes with certain pre-defined mindsets. As elder care in India is slowly going through a sociological evolution defined by shrinking family sizes, women breaking away from tradiotional caregiver roles and life expectancy on the rise; customers are now on the lookout for more variety of services which fit their needs and situation. Residential care for the elderly today can be availed through a variety of formats starting from large independent living community projects, standalone elder care homes, assisted living homes focusing on chronic care, conditions like dementia and finally skilled nursing homes.

Remaining independent is one of the top most priorities for elders while going through the ageing process. However, roughly 20% elders above the age of 85 end up needing assistance in their daily activities (Source: CDC and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, 2017). Combine it with existing co-morbities or chronic health conditions, such elders may further need the assistance of a nurse or other specialists. An assisted living (AL) home run by specialised and trained team, provides professional care, personalised to an elder’s current needs and based on past medical history, in a residential setting. AL homes typically provide round the clock care and has a well defined emergency response system in place. The staff at such homes are trained in geriatric and memory care and ensure that every resident’s needs are assessed and well documented in a care plan. The team in an AL typically works with a variety of specialists who would have a complete understanding of case histories.

In India today, homes specialising in AL are not very easy to find and are mostly provided as an ad-hoc service in existing retirement communities. Policies also need to be in place to clearly define standard regulations and guidelines to qualify to be called as an AL home. Thorough documentation by a licensed nurse, adequate and pre-defined staffing ratios, pre & post admission care assessments, fall prevention measures etc are some of the basic protocols to be adhered to. 

There are also specialised AL homes such as those specialising in dementia care. Dementia is a condition often accompanied by psychiatric and behavioural symtpoms which makes it difficult for even professionals to deal with it, unless they have been trained in it. Reported cases of dementia are on the rise, which indicates that more and more people are undertanding the importance of seeking professional help. For dementia, it is recommended that AL is opted for early on, to preserve quality of life as much as possible. 

The demand for both senior housing and specilaised homes has become more apparent during the current Covid-19 pandemic. A lot of children have struggled to support their parents for their basic needs even if they were based out of the same city. Older adults (80+) living alone have been at a real risk of safety and health monitoring. The industry is seeing an increase in interest because peace of mind takes over societal image. Parallely a lot of players have announced new projects which is an encouraging sign, since the the elderly can finally have the right to choose and have access to a variety of services for themselves.



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Assisted living and dementia care services in India

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There’s the music of sarod playing in the background while I write this, helps me write my memoirs!

When I was a child, I used to write diaries. What’s enticing to me at that point in time was the smell of new vintage-looking pages, and a unique feeling to ink it down. It all started then. Who knew the passion for writing would grow so strongly on me!

Hi, I’m Sneha, Business Assistant & Content Writer at Epoch. Yes, I own these words and wear them with pride. The journey to earn this was pretty savage, and I’ll like you to be a part of this! Hence, sharing a page from my memoir.

It was the dawn of the year 2020 when I promised myself to come out of the University with a Mass Communication and Journalism degree in one hand and a placement in other. Things started turning upside down when the covid wave came along and washed away all the aspirations I had of starting my career in a corporate world. Later that year, after graduating, I started freelancing.

Little did I know that the universe had something else up in its sleeves.  On 1st Feb, I started my journey at Epoch, and it’s already a year now! I’ll need pinches from myself to believe so. When I stepped out of my comfort zone, came to a new city, I met amazing people, especially women, who inspired me in the most unusual ways. It is my sheer luck and fortune that I landed in Epoch right after college. The journey of amazement and learning didn’t stop for me, I would say.

How often does it happen that a CEO of an organization holds your hand, mentors you, and walks you through your journey? Well, happened to me and to all those who started anew! Here, at Epoch, I saw myself under the guidance of domain experts. From each one of them, I learnt something, both applicable in personal and professional lives. My team pushed me one notch beyond my threshold, surprisingly that brought different colours to my work. To date, I am told to be the owner of not only my projects, but also my decisions, successes, and failures. I am learning.

Epoch has played a vast role in shaping me into Sneha 2.0. If you know me and don’t believe, let’s go out for a cup of coffee! A confident and radiant Sneha, you’ll see.

Epoch homes abode elderly those who need dementia care and assisted daily living support. When I started, I was briefed about dementia but the understanding of the daily life of a senior 75+, came to me when I was in their presence. Recently through one of the Epoch webinars, I heard a doctor/geriatrician say, and I quote, “there’s a person still behind the dementia patient”, and this made me realize how naïve are we to not notice this in our elderly loved ones!

Amidst the pandemic, there were fewer interactions with our elderly residents, regarding their own safety. But whenever I got the chance, covered in PPE kit, I would jump to know each one of them. With some I sang era old songs, with some I recited poems of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Dinkar, Nirala, with some I learnt the concept of perspective, with some I learnt fashion, some taught me to live life with a bang, and that’s what I am doing!

Epoch in a way turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I would like to stop the roller coaster of my emotions here by simply being grateful. One day, when I close my eyes, I would love the memories with Epoch to roll in the cassette of my life. 

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To Epoch, a cassette of my life

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I want to share my unique professional journey with you. Personally, I have been someone who is always up for trying new things.

In August 2014, after completing my training as a General Duty Assistant, I got placed at Epoch Elder Care as a care attendant.  Even though I had prior care training, being a care attendant in an assisted living home was new for me and there was much to learn, especially about dementia care. At Epoch, everyone is encouraged to ask questions whenever they do not understand, your colleagues and seniors will answer them patiently and help you understand your issues. I realised how tough life can be with dementia and at Epoch I was able to increase the quality of life of elders with dementia and this was very satisfactory for me. 

Given my inclination to try new roles, back in 2018, I was chosen for the role of Admin Assistant which was a huge change for me professionally as I was moving from  care to an administrative role. With much support of senior colleagues, I was able to manage this role with confidence. Here I learnt new skills like vendor management, maintenance planning, and working with multiple departments. Being an ex-care attendant, I was able to understand the importance of this role where I had to ensure the upkeep of Epoch homes and how crucial it was for our care attendants to take care of our residents. Iss dauran maine apni life ko bahut hadd tak personally, professionally and financially grow bhi kiya hai (During this time, I was able to grow personally, professionally and financially). 

Then in January 2020, I saw an opportunity to move to a new role within Epoch as a Human Resource (HR) assistant and I confidently took the leap. Given my prior experience as a care attendant, I was quickly able to connect to prospective candidates for Care Attendant role and understand who could be a good fit at Epoch, and I learnt the aspect of people management. Ab dedication and guidance of my manager and colleagues ke sath grow kar raha hun or hope aage bhi yun hi grow karta rahunga. (With the dedication and guidance of my manager and colleagues, I am learning & growing  ,and will continue doing so!)

Thanks to Epoch, I have been able to understand this industry well and grow myself professionally in many different perspectives by gaining many new skills.

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Trying new roles and gaining new skills at Epoch

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I want to share my journey so far with Epoch Elder Care. I started my journey as a care attendant with Epoch’s Monet house at Pune location on 15th May 2016 and sab kuch naya tha mere liye (everything was new to me). It was a great year well spent at Monet house; and bohot kuch sikhne ko mila (great learnings came along). Under the guidance of our Facility Managers and Facility Nurses and other care attendants, I was properly trained to look after our residents. Epoch work culture bohot welcoming and unique tha mere liye (Epoch culture was welcoming and unique for me) - where the team was great & they treated me like a family member. Not only this, the relationship and bond I developed with residents was an amazing feeling. The concept of dementia and its management was something jo mujhe dhire dhire samajh aya. (The concept of dementia and its management was something I learned over a period of time).

After the completion of one year, the management decided to transfer me to Epoch’s other home (Vermeer House) in Gurugram. I was happy with the decision for two reasons. Firstly, my learning was about to expand and secondly, my hometown was nearby. After working as a care attendant for a year and a half at the Vermeer House, the management decided to promote me to the role of Head Care Attendant. Finally, my dedication & honesty paid off. My responsibilities increased and I had to oversee all errands related to our residents, other care team members, and the house overall, which I enjoyed throughout.

Then again on 1st May 2019, I was offered a role change based on my skills and eagerness to work. This time the management decided to offer me the role of Admin Assistant, which I accepted confidently. It was challenging at first, but with the constant guidance of the then corporate team, I managed with quite ease.

Epoch has not only helped me professionally but also personally. It is here that I met Sarita (Care Attendant at Vermeer House), married her and started another chapter of my life. She is always there to support & motivate me. 

During the outbreak of COVID-19, around Feb 2020, I was handed over the role & responsibilities of an Office Assistant in the new Vermeer house at Gurgaon. Covid ke first wave me hume bohot kuch naya experience karne ko and samajhne ko mila. Ye time humare liye bohot difficult tha but hum sabne milkar Epoch and ek doosre ko sambhala. (New learnings came along whilst managing and experiencing the first wave of coronavirus. It was a difficult time, but we managed to pull through). I was presented with the COVID warrior award. Epoch ke saath ab itne memories jud gaye hain ki yahan har koi apna sa lagta hai. 

Epoch me hamesha kuch na kuch naya sikhne ko and samajhne ko milta hi hai and mere liye bohot unique experience banta raha hai.

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My journey of multiple roles at Epoch

India is at the crossroads of dealing with a growing elderly population combined with the dilemma of who should really be responsible for the seniors...

Assisted living and dementia care services in India

Neha Sinha , Co-Founder & CEO, Epoch Elder Care Dementia Specialist

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