Hyderabad: Senior citizens are opting for carrom, chess and even a spot of cricket to keep themselves physically fit and mentally charged.
Their organising abilities are tested by arranging group birthdays and social gatherings every month.
Mr S.N. Chari, secretary of the Senior Citizens Welfare Association at A.S. Rao Nagar said members can take part in games and walk in the park between 9 am and 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm.
“Every week, we have lectures by eminent doctors, teachers and social workers addressing the changes that are happening in society and the manner in which we have to deal with them,” he said.
Mr Gopal Rao of the Kukatpally Senior Cit-izens Welfare Association said: The association in-volves its members even in basic work like sending messages and co-ordinating with each other. If a member does not turn up for five days, their colleagues check up on them.
Senior citizens prefer staying in their own homes rather than move over to old age homes due to the very strong memories attached with the place and the people.
Psychologist Pragya Rashmi said, “After living 30 to 40 years in a house, senior citizens feel uprooted when they are told to go to old age homes. It works very negatively on their psyche, they are scared, insecure and unsure how the new home will be.”
Senior citizens living in familiar surroundings are well-acquainted with their neighbours and friends and socially active. In the old age homes, they find themselves at sea.
Psychiatrist Naresh Vadlamani said, “The concept of old age homes and retirement colonies are new and will take some time to get used to. Retiring to a plush old-age home has to be planned when one is working. Money has to be kept aside to ensure that the retirement years are hassle-free. Right now, we see cases of senior citizens unwilling to go to old age homes.”
