SCARF launches active ageing centre

The centre aims to offer a number of services that will benefit those with the condition. Talking to DTNext on the sidelines of the launch, Dr Sridhar Vaitheswaran, geriatric psychiatrist at SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation), said that there was a need for a centre that can assist in the treatment. 

“This is not a boarding facility, but a rather therapeutic approach to the condition. It will provide psychological therapies and activities to aid mental health and well-being among the elderly. Such centres are very common in the west,” he said. The services aim to improve the cognition, communication, social interaction and most importantly quality of life for people. 

At any given time, the centre can cater to the requirements of eight persons. At the moment, the centre has been taking care of 14 people, who avail the services once or twice a week. The services cost around Rs 200 per day. 

Dr Sridhar said, “At the moment, an estimated 44 lakh people are said to suffer from dementia in the country. The numbers are likely to increase to almost a crore in the coming years. We would need more such centres.” The centre was inaugurated by Dr VS Natarajan, who is known as the father of Indian geriatric medicine.