Aaji Care Unveils Pune's Largest 49-Bed Assisted Living Centre: A New Era for Elder Care

A New Benchmark in Elder Care: Aaji Care Opens Flagship Centre in Pune

PUNE, MAHARASHTRA – Aaji Care, a leading elder-care organization operating across Mumbai, Pune, and Goa, has officially inaugurated its sixth Assisted Living Centre and second facility in Pune. Located in Kalyani Nagar, the new centre, unveiled on Sunday, August 30, represents Aaji Care's largest venture to date, boasting a capacity of 49 beds within a purpose-built seven-storey building. This expansion underscores Aaji Care's unwavering commitment to fostering dignified, comprehensive, and compassionate care environments for India's burgeoning elderly population.

The grand inauguration was graced by the esteemed presence of Padma Shri Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte, alongside renowned hotelier Dr. Vitthal Kamat and celebrated author and social thinker Achyut Godbole. The event drew over 175 guests, including prominent doctors, senior citizens, business leaders, social-sector representatives, and media personnel, all gathered to witness this pivotal moment in elder care.

Designed for Evolving Needs: A Continuum of Care Under One Roof

Understanding that the needs of older adults are diverse and dynamic, Aaji Care’s Kalyani Nagar facility has been meticulously designed to offer a continuum of care. Each of the seven floors is tailored to specific requirements, ensuring that every elder receives the appropriate level of support as their needs change:

The centre also features an exclusive physiotherapy unit and dedicated activity spaces. These areas are crucial for supporting mobility, aiding rehabilitation, stimulating cognitive function, fostering socialisation, and promoting meaningful engagement among residents. The design, a collaborative effort with ageing-in-place architect Rama Sane, and inputs from geriatric psychologists, doctors, physiotherapists, and elder-care professionals, aims to seamlessly blend professional care and safety with a warm, comfortable, and home-like atmosphere.

A multidisciplinary team, comprising trained caregivers, nurses, doctors, psychologists, and physiotherapists, will provide round-the-clock support for elders managing dementia, mobility limitations, chronic medical conditions, post-hospitalisation rehabilitation, and higher levels of dependency.

Beyond Beds: Adding 'Better Days' to Elders' Lives

Prasad Bhide, Founder of Aaji Care, articulated the profound vision behind the new centre, emphasizing that the organization’s purpose transcends mere bed count. “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,” Bhide stated.

Elaborating on Aaji Care's philosophy of 'Ageing Gracefully,' Bhide highlighted that true elder care extends far beyond medical support and 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 just a place to live or receive medical care. It should cultivate an environment where professional care and safety harmoniously coexist with independence, dignity, companionship, engagement, and emotional wellbeing.

Inspiration and Engagement: Messages of Active Ageing

The inauguration served as a platform for insightful discussions on ageing, healthcare, compassion, and the societal imperative to respect and support elders. Achyut Godbole underscored the escalating demand for professionally managed and sensitive assisted living facilities, a need amplified by evolving family structures, lifestyles, and social relationships. He lauded Aaji Care's thoughtful design and its comprehensive approach to addressing the diverse needs of older adults.

Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte shared poignant reflections on the legacy of Baba Amte and the ongoing work at Hemalkasa. They stressed the importance of maintaining physical activity, regular exercise, and continued engagement in personal work post-retirement. They also conveyed a crucial message for both senior citizens and their families: empowering younger generations with the freedom to make their own decisions, offering advice only when sought. Dr. Prakash Amte also acknowledged Aaji Care's compassionate support for their colleague, Nirmala Sathe, during her final days at their existing Pune centre.

Holistic Wellbeing: Brain Gym, Neurobics, and Kathak Celebrations

The inauguration programme itself was a vivid reflection of Aaji Care's holistic philosophy, demonstrating that healthy ageing encompasses far more than just medical care. Naina Oke, Head of Mental Health at Aaji Care, led an interactive session on Brain Gym and Neurobics, engaging guests with simple exercises designed to stimulate the brain and underscore the importance of cognitive activity in later life.

Adding an artistic dimension, specially choreographed Kathak performances, themed 'Ageing Gracefully,' celebrated ageing not as a period of increasing dependency, but as a meaningful phase of life rich with dignity, expression, joy, and engagement. These elements collectively reinforced Aaji Care's core belief: elder care must address not only physical and medical needs but also cognitive health, emotional wellbeing, social connection, independence, and meaningful participation.

Responding to India's Changing Elder Care Landscape

Founded in August 2012, Aaji Care has been a beacon of support for senior citizens and their families across Mumbai, Pune, and Goa, particularly those facing challenges due to medical conditions, dementia, mental-health concerns, or mobility limitations. Their comprehensive 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, Aaji Care's sixth Assisted Living Centre, is envisioned as a complete continuum of care. It combines specialized care, assisted living, rehabilitation, and active senior living options, designed to adapt to changing needs while empowering elders to retain maximum independence and choice. Following the inauguration, chief guests and attendees toured the facility, commending its thoughtfully designed infrastructure and comprehensive approach to senior care. The new centre is set to open for admissions from September 10, 2026.

At its core, Aaji Care believes that ageing is a meaningful chapter deserving of independence, dignity, companionship, comfort, engagement, and joy. Through professional and compassionate care, the organization strives to help elders live their 'better days' with greater confidence, purpose, and happiness, simultaneously offering families the peace of mind that their loved ones are cared for with warmth, respect, and dignity.