Auckland’s Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust has set out to gauge public perception in its bid to set up a rest home to cater for the needs of the South Asian communities living in New Zealand.
“The Trust endeavors to consider setting up a rest home specially designed to nurture South Asian communities,” trust executive Jeet Suchdev told the Indian Weekender.
“We intend to fulfil the cultural needs of our respected elders which seems to be missing in the existing rest homes.”
No such facility catering solely to the needs of the South Asian community but there are several rest homes in Auckland which are operated by members of the Indian community here.
As such, the trust has set up an online survey www.surveymonkey.com/s/bhartiyasamaj to be able to gauge public support for the proposal.
Further outlining the Trust’s plan, Suchdev said: “Doctors, nurses and caregivers will be available who shall be able to understand your language and deal with your respective cultural values.
“Home cooked food will be provided and served in the rest home. An assurance will be given that there shall be no lack of companionship and communication as the most common language shall be used so that understanding each other does not create an issue. They will be entertained with the installation of the popular Indian TV (Vision Asia), movies etc.
“Arrangements to visit the temples, gurudwaras, mosques or churches will be made to get there on regular weekly basis. They would not miss out on popular festivals as arrangement will be made for them to participate,” Suchdev said.
“In a nutshell, this will be another home away from home. Please remember, this project is not for today or tomorrow but it will cater to our future”
Suchdev, a well known community leader, said the Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust would consult, collaborate, initiate and support the process of brainstorming on the future of old age nurturing, for our community in New Zealand.
“Our community by enlarge demonstrates great sensitivity towards their old people and always has attempted to provide their best for them within available means.
“We as immigrant experience huge dynamic transformations in our means, life style, professional and occupational challenges which constantly limits our capability to perform as a care giver.
“However, we continue to strive hard not to leave any stone unturned to provide the best for our elders.
“It is funny how everyone wants to live long but no one wants to grow old.
“Old age is viewed as an unavoidable, undesirable, problem-ridden phase of life that we all are compelled to live, marking time until our final exit from life itself,” Suchdev said.
“Perceiving old age with fear is actually a rather recent phenomenon. It seems to increase as each day passes and the world become more complex and less comprehensible. Old age care has become even bigger challenge with our youngsters living in complex times.”
Please click below on link and complete the questionnaire to reflect your views on this issue. www.surveymonkey.com/s/bhartiyasamaj