Ganesh is a 24-year-old full-time caregiver at A1Snehanjali. He is from Adivasis community (indigenous peoples of India) from small village near Vikramgad, Palghar District. His journey as a caregiver to person with Dementia (called as residents) began when he was looking for a job after completion of his class 12th education in village. He was introduced to Silver Innings assisted living elder care home ‘A1Snehanjali’ at Rajodi, Virar and decided to take up caregiving as his full-time job alongside continuing his education with encouragement and support of compassionate management.
As a caregiver, his job entails of several tasks such as making the Residents eat food, giving them a bath, conducting prayer time, and making them go to bed at night. Every day, the residents also have scheduled recreation and mental stimulation activity time where Ganesh and other staff members facilitate activities like playing games, music, dance, art & craft, walk etc
Before coming to the centre, Ganesh didn’t know anything about Alzheimer’s disease or A1Snehanjali’s work. When he came here and learnt about the disease for the first time, he was shocked - “Aisa kaise? Aisa hota hai?” (How is this possible? This happens?) Slowly, he learnt more about Alzheimer’s, the needs and challenges of its person and how care can be given to them to make their life experience smoother. Since then, he has been working for A1Snehanjali, taking care of residents at the centre.
As a 24-year old, he is one of the youngest staff members at the organisation. Working in a place where the other staff members are older than you can sound like a barrier in making friends at work, however, Ganesh didn’t seem to face that challenge. Rather, he believes that he found his co- staff members to be more than friends - he found a family in them. This is because the staff and management helps each other out and treats each other with respect, which makes it a peaceful work environment.
Whilst working full-time, Ganesh also managed to study side-by-side, and recently he completed his Graduation BA with 93%. One would assume that balancing both is a challenge, and the job would be adding to Ganesh’s stress. However, it is surprising yet pleasing to know that he doesn’t find his job stressful nor does he find it tedious. Instead, he feels that the job brings him happiness and joy. It relieves his stress and gives him the satisfaction of having done good in society. Everyone at A1Snehanjali is helpful and supportive of each other as well as the residents, and so he feels like he belongs there.
Being a young man working at a centre that takes care of Dementia / Alzheimer’s person – mental health issues, one would think that his family would have some reservations, perhaps the typical expectation of getting a corporate job. But, Ganesh’s family doesn’t seem to think that way. On the contrary, Ganesh’s family gives him blessings because he is helping people, helping Elders, doing good and virtuous work. It is a form of seva and his family is proud of him for doing it.
Ganesh is an example and inspiration to youth of India, which thinks differently, being progressive, and committed to humanity!
By Vansh Tibrewal
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