Now, UT to have senior citizens in Sector 31 Group Home

Chandigarh: The administration has decided to set up a senior citizen home on part of the group home, Sector 31, which was originally constructed as a facility for people with mental and intellectual disabilities. The department of social welfare has invited Chandigarh residents to fill vacant seats of the paid senior citizen home.The senior citizen home will have 38 seats. For singles, Rs 35,000 is the monthly fee for suites; Rs 25,000 for single room and Rs 16,000 for twin sharing. For couples, the monthly charge for suites is Rs 50,000; for single room it is Rs 35,000; and on twin-sharing basis the monthly fee is Rs 35,000.Interested residents may download the application form from the official website of the department of social welfare, Chandigarh administration (www.chdsw.gov.in). The eligibility criteria along with other relevant details are mentioned in the admission form.The decision has elicited criticism from some of the families of persons with mental and intellectual disabilities.City-based counsellor Harsharan Kaur wrote an e-mail to the chief secretary saying, "Families are deeply concerned about the recent decision to reserve nearly half the seats of the group home for senior citizens. Parents repeatedly requested in executive body and governing body meetings that at least 2-3 years be given for the facility to gradually fill up, as families need time, counselling, and emotional preparation before taking such decisions. The present move, therefore, appears premature and against the original purpose of the group home."A senior UT official said, "The decision was taken after three rounds of admission to the group home didn't get adequate response. Currently, there are only seven admissions. The strength can increase to around 20 as some candidates are undergoing the admission process. The total capacity is 80; consequently, most of the group home is lying vacant. The decision on senior citizen home was taken after approval from the UT administrator. The administrator also inspected the group home recently."The official further contended that the two homes will require similar staff and facilities and will complement each in terms of support system.On the administration's contention of poor response to admissions, a parent stated, "The application window for admissions was very short, limiting adequate opportunity for families in Chandigarh to apply. Admissions should remain open throughout the year to provide families with adequate time for decision-making and application. Awareness programmes should be conducted for families and mental health professionals. Another reason for poor response is that the administration is yet to employ adequate staff for the group home, which discourages parents to admit their wards in the facility."Responding to the criticism, the official underlined the dilemma related to admissions and recruitments. "The staff will be increased as per the number of admissions. It is administratively and financially not feasible to increase the staff without adequate admissions. Also, adequate time is given for admissions," he said. MSID:: 130964811 413 |