13 MARCH 2008
Residents at a care scheme for Asian elders have had a rare experience of life on the air waves.
A national radio station visited ASRA Greater London Housing Association’s Aashna House in Streatham Vale to find out more about the provision of care for elderly Asians.
Recording took place for an exclusive documentary which will be aired later this month.
BBC Asian Network interviewed residents at Aashna House to discover what makes the ASRA care home so popular. They also asked relatives about making the difficult decision to place parents into a care home, and why they had chosen this one.
Mathini Navukkarasu, an ASRA Care Home Manager, said: “They talked to residents and their families about staying at Aashna House, and also to people who are waiting to get a place here.
“They were very keen to find out about the application process you need to go through. I think they were impressed by the variety of food on offer and how personalised all the residents’ rooms are.”
Residents at Aashna House represent almost all aspects of the Asian community.
Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati and Bengali are amongst the numerous first languages spoken, and Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism are all practiced.
Aashna House has the amenities to accommodate all these different cultures and individual choices also come to the fore at mealtimes, when seven different dietary preferences are respected and catered for.
Manna Santokhee, ASRA’s Head of Care added: “We are committed to delivering first class services to all our residents and making sure they feel at home here.
“We encourage residents to have a healthy, full lifestyle and it is a priority to help them sustain and develop their independence as much as possible by providing ample opportunities for activities, socialising and exercise.
“Families of residents are always encouraged to influence the care of their relatives and our open visiting hours maintain and strengthen family relationships whilst reassuring relatives that residents are well-cared for.”
Changing structures within Asian communities mean that traditional, family- and home-based care for elders is no longer guaranteed. To address this need, ASRA opened the doors of Aashna House in 1993.The interviews with residents and relatives will be featured on BBC Asian Network on 10 March at 6.30pm.