Padma Shri Dr. Prakash Amte, Dr. Mandakini Amte, Dr. Vitthal Kamat and
Achyut Godbole attend the inauguration of Aaji Care’s sixth centre.
Pune
(Maharashtra) [India] : Aaji Care, an elder-care organisation working
across Mumbai, Pune and Goa, inaugurated its sixth Assisted Living Centre and second centre in Pune at
Kalyani Nagar on Sunday, 30 August. The new centre marks another milestone in
Aaji Care’s journey towards creating compassionate, comprehensive and dignified
care environments for India’s growing elderly population.
Spread
across a purpose-built seven-storey building with a capacity of 49 beds, the
new facility is Aaji Care’s largest centre to date. Designed specifically
around the evolving physical, medical, cognitive, emotional and social needs of
older adults, the centre brings together different levels of care under one
roof, creating a continuum of support as the needs of elders evolve.
The centre was inaugurated by Padma Shri Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte, in the presence of renowned hotelier Dr. Vitthal Kamat and author and social thinker Mr. Achyut Godbole. More than 175 guests, including doctors, senior citizens, business leaders, social-sector representatives and members of the media, attended the inauguration.
A centre designed around the changing needs of ageing
Recognising
that every elder does not require the same kind or level of support, the
seven-storey centre has been thoughtfully designed around different stages and
care requirements.
Four floors
are dedicated to elders living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of
dementia, with environments designed to support safety, familiarity, routine,
comfort and emotional wellbeing. A separate floor is dedicated to
high-dependency care, supporting elders who require greater levels of medical
and personal assistance.
Two
additional floors cater to elders requiring rehabilitation and assisted living,
as well as those who remain relatively active and independent but prefer the
security, companionship and support of a professionally managed senior living
environment.
The
facility also includes an exclusive physiotherapy unit and dedicated activity
spaces designed to support mobility, rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation,
socialisation, recreation and meaningful engagement.
The centre
has been designed with ageing-in-place architect Rama Sane, with inputs from
doctors, geriatric psychologists, physiotherapists and elder-care
professionals. The objective has been to bring together professional care and
safety with a warm, comfortable and home-like environment.
A
multidisciplinary team of trained caregivers, nurses, doctors, psychologists
and physiotherapists will support elders living with dementia, mobility
limitations, chronic medical conditions, post-hospitalisation rehabilitation
needs and higher levels of dependency.
“We don't
want to simply add beds; we want to add better days to the lives of our elders”
Speaking
about the vision behind the new centre, Prasad Bhide, Founder of Aaji Care,
said that the organisation’s purpose goes beyond simply increasing the number
of beds available for senior care.
“We don't
want to simply add beds; we want to add better days to the lives of our elders
and help them age gracefully.”
Elaborating
on Aaji Care’s philosophy of ‘Ageing Gracefully’, Bhide said that meaningful
elder care cannot be defined only by medical support or infrastructure.
“Ageing
gracefully is not just about providing good medical care and good
infrastructure. It is equally about helping elders maintain their independence
and dignity, giving them companionship, keeping them meaningfully engaged and,
most importantly, surrounding them with a lot of love. An elder may need
assistance, but that should never take away their individuality or their right
to make choices about their own life.”
According
to Bhide, an assisted living centre should therefore be much more than a place
to live or receive medical care. It should create an environment where
professional care and safety coexist with independence, dignity, companionship,
engagement and emotional wellbeing.
A message
of active and independent ageing
The
inauguration brought together perspectives on ageing, healthcare, compassion
and the need to create a society that respects and supports its elders.
Speaking at
the occasion, Achyut Godbole highlighted the growing need for professionally
managed and sensitive assisted living facilities as family structures,
lifestyles and social relationships continue to evolve. He noted that an
increasingly individualistic society has created a greater need for spaces
where senior citizens can receive care and support while continuing to live
with companionship, security and dignity.
He also
appreciated the thought and planning that had gone into the design of Aaji
Care’s new Kalyani Nagar facility and its focus on addressing the diverse needs
of older adults.
Dr. Prakash
Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte spoke about the importance of action over words and
reflected on the legacy of Baba Amte and the work that continues at Hemalkasa
through the next generation.
They
emphasised the importance of remaining physically active, exercising regularly
and continuing to do as much of one’s own work as possible even after
retirement. They also shared an important message for senior citizens and their
families — that younger generations should be given the freedom to make their
own decisions, with advice offered when it is sought.
Dr. Prakash
Amte also recalled the support extended by Aaji Care to their colleague and
social worker Nirmala Sathe during the final phase of her life, when she was
cared for at Aaji
Care’s existing Pune centre. He appreciated the care and support
provided to her during that period.
Brain Gym,
Neurobics and the celebration of ‘Ageing Gracefully’
The
inauguration programme itself reflected Aaji Care’s broader belief that healthy
ageing goes well beyond medical care.
Naina Oke,
Head of Mental Health at Aaji Care, conducted an interactive session on Brain Gym
and Neurobics for the guests. Through simple exercises and activities, the
session demonstrated ways to stimulate the brain and highlighted the importance
of keeping the mind active as we age.
The
programme also featured specially presented Kathak performances based on the
theme of ‘Ageing Gracefully’. Through classical dance, movement and expression,
the performances celebrated ageing not simply as a stage of increasing
dependency, but as a meaningful phase of life that can continue to be filled
with dignity, expression, joy and engagement.
Together,
these elements reinforced Aaji Care’s central philosophy — that elder care must
address not only medical and physical needs, but also cognitive health,
emotional wellbeing, social connection, independence and meaningful
participation.
Responding
to the changing landscape of elder care
Founded in
August 2012, Aaji Care works with senior citizens and
their families across Mumbai, Pune and Goa, particularly where medical
conditions, dementia, mental-health concerns or mobility limitations make
independent living or care at home increasingly difficult.
Its
services include assisted living, dementia and memory care,
post-hospitalisation and rehabilitation care, palliative and high-dependency
care, home-based elder care and geriatric mental-health support.
The Kalyani
Nagar facility is Aaji Care’s sixth Assisted Living Centre and second centre in
Pune. With its combination of specialised care, assisted living, rehabilitation
and active senior living, the centre has been envisioned as a continuum of care
that can respond to changing needs while helping elders retain as much
independence and choice as possible.
Following
the inauguration ceremony, the chief guests and members of the audience toured
the facility and appreciated its thoughtfully designed infrastructure and
comprehensive approach to senior care.
The new
centre will open for admissions from 10 September 2026
About Aaji
Care
Founded in
August 2012, Aaji Care is an elder-care
organisation providing assisted living, dementia and memory care, home-based
elder care, rehabilitation, palliative and high-dependency care, and geriatric
mental-health support across Mumbai, Pune and Goa.
At the
heart of Aaji Care’s approach is the belief that ageing should not merely be
viewed as a stage of life requiring care, but as a meaningful chapter that
deserves independence, dignity, companionship, comfort, engagement and joy.
Through
professional and compassionate care, Aaji Care aims to help elders live their
better days with greater confidence, purpose and happiness, while giving their
families the reassurance and peace of mind that their loved ones are cared for
with warmth, respect and dignity.