Seniors Shining the light on seniors

The Sydney-baSed Sri Om Foundation has made a name for itself in the Indian community for having tuned in to and addressed the needs of seniors.

The foundation celebrated its third anniversary recently with a dinner dance at bowman hall, blacktown. The program offered a play, Laila Aur Majnu, in addition to a number of dances by children and young adults from the community. The play was directed by young budding artist nitya Raghavan and delivered a strong message of love.

Jay Raman, the vice president of Sri Om Care told Indian Link, “The evening was a roaring success with 526 people in attendance (regrettably at least 15 families had to be turned away). a total of $10,000 was raised in funds during the gala event which will go towards hall hire and equipment, voluntary services, morning tea and lunches and pick up services for the seniors”.

The Chairman hh Sri Om adi Sakthiyendra Swamiji flew in especially for the fundraiser. The list of guests included the President of the foundation, hh Sri Om Gana Sakthiyendra Swamiji, hon. Laurie Ferguson, Federal MP and Parliament Secretary, hon. Louise Markus was represented by her husband Jim Markus, and Councillor Kathie Collins. also present were various community groups such as SeWa International, auburn Tamil Society, FaIa, bank of Queensland (blacktown), VhP who have provided their constant support to Sri Om’s activities.

The special invitees spoke of an increase in the elderly population in general and those who need additional care in particular. This, they observed was resulting in increased pressure on the younger generation. The lack of services the aim to provide a platform for social interaction for the seniors of the Indian community. Their day Centres offer therapy and recreational services to seniors, frail and aged like light exercises, story-telling, movies, karaoke, games and lectures. The activities promote an opportunity for older people to maintain during the annual fundraiser, the youth team presented a Power Point Presentation explaining the services available to the seniors and the ones that are planned for the future. provided to the community is leading to social isolation for the Indian seniors as caring for them is quite unique, difficult and time consuming. hence, the need for organisations likes Sri Om Care. The involvement of youth in senior services was highly commended as well.

Jay Raman touched on some of the more thoughtful services offered to the seniors like the home and community care, the social support, domestic help, nursing services, shopping and visits to the temple. he also highlighted some of the projects in the pipeline including the plans for a retirement village and respite care.

On a final note during the evening, the President of the foundation requested members of the public to join the organisation and help the cause. he said, “We are constantly in need of donations which can be in kind (materials for food) or cash and we also look forward to volunteers with various skills and time.” To find out more about Sri Om Care visit their web site www.sriomcare.org.

Sri Om Care was established with links with the local community and make new friends. For those seniors who are cared for by a friend or a relative, the centre provides time off to the carers.

Sri Om’s day centres are located in Lidcombe, Seven hills, Parramatta, and blacktown. Two new centres are soon coming up in Riverstone and bankstown.