How Chembur grannies age backwards with this special community

Post-retirement, a major challenge for some senior citizens could be chalking out a workable weekly routine. Similar is the case of Bhagyashree Rane (60), who is working with a city-based accountancy firm and is about to retire next month. As she nears the due date, she finds herself in a quandary - what will her life be like once she stops going to the office?

Like Rane, numerous retired women find it tough to adjust to Monday mornings with nowhere to go or no office to report to. According to a German statistics portal - Statista, approximately 37 per cent of elderly individuals are concerned about maintaining an active lifestyle, while around 32 percent are apprehensive about the absence of a daily routine.

IN PHOTOS: How senior women rediscover youth with unique workshops in Chembur

10 months agoPHOTO GALLERY

Letting go of the identity you have been living with for decades can be challenging. This is a common disassociation the elderly face in the aftermath of retirement, shares the Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr Sonal Anand. It can further have an impact on their physical and mental well-being, she adds.

This brings us to the question - How do senior citizens redefine their identity post-retirement?

Rewriting the rules of ageing
As we begin to investigate, we dial up Mala Mansukhani, a 65-year-old granny from Chembur who has devised an engaging curriculum to grow younger with senior and retired women from Mumbai. What inspired her, we ask?

"I have seen my mother juggle between raising my siblings and working on her export business. By the time I could register her gradual ageing and what I could do to help - health issues attacked my mom. She was diagnosed with cancer and her bones grew brittle." This was the tipping point when Mansukhani found her calling in helping women who felt neglected with the inevitable transformation that ageing brought.

Today, Mansukhani conducts life-changing sessions at Chembur Gymkhana under the initiative Grow Younger that engages elder women with unique classes like Chair Football, Zumba for 50 plus, mind training, yoga, dance and creative workshops. Recalling an incident that is etched deep in her memory, she tells Midday: "Nidhi Haldar (50), could not even stand when I asked her to workout with us."

What followed next was a miracle in the making. Not being able to stand was not an issue. It was the courage to reclaim one's lost vigour and faith in themselves that Mansukhani aims to instil in the ladies who come to her. "So, when Nidhi found her confidence, she enrolled for a three-month training. Can you believe post the training, she not only stood but went onto dance on the stage."

With a diverse range of activities, Manukhani has helped many women find a purpose and means to reintegrate into society. Adept at female psychology, Mansukhani makes an appeal for senior women to join her for her curated sessions on Mondays and Thursdays in Chembur.

Ageing with a purpose
Arun Nanda, who retired in 2010 as the executive director of Mahindra and Mahindra found a purpose beyond his usual 9-5 repeated Monday to Friday for more than 25 years. He established Adhata Trust in 2012 which works to eradicate isolation and enhance psychological and social well-being amongst the elder population of our society.

"When I retired - I met people who didn't know how to kill time," shares Nanda as he opens up about what drove him to develop the non-governmental organisation. Through his initiative, he helps senior citizens engage in activities that they couldn't partake in while working.

With the marathon season unfolding, the group has tied up with Tata Mumbai Marathon for a voluntary run for senior citizens and invites applications for the same. Setting new benchmarks for senior living - the NGO conducts art-based therapies, Zumba and other physical activities that can be performed while being seated in a chair.

Adhata, headquartered in Mumbai, now houses a membership exceeding 700 individuals spread across more than 12 community centres in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. With an average member age of 70 years, Adhata Trust asserts its commitment to actively supporting a minimum of 500 people on a daily basis.

Carving a space for retired personnel in the office
According to a report: Ageing, Retirement and Human Resource Management, a majority of organisations anticipate that 35-50 per cent of their employees will retire in the next five to seven years. This presents a unique opportunity to engage retired personnel at the workplace, opines a Thane-based human resource manager - Ashish Vyas.

"Typically, older individuals bring a wealth of experience to the workplace and demonstrate heightened dedication and responsibility. On the other hand, younger employees are known for their openness to new ideas, contributing to innovation within the company. By fostering collaboration between these two groups, a diverse cohesion can be introduced, ultimately contributing to the company's progress,' he adds.

Certainly, there is a scope for carving out a place for an employee who has contributed a major chunk of their life to the workplace. Vyas shares food for thought by listing down the benefits of hiring retired employees:

Quality work: Experience vouches for quality, shares Vyas. "When hiring, there are all sorts of things that we look for, including experience, education, speed and cooperation. While it is important to judge based on all of these qualities, it is also important to remember that seniority is an important factor." For a specialised kind of work in which experience and job knowledge will increase the quality of the services, hiring an experienced individual will more likely deliver quality work.

Quick decision-making: Navigating the complexities of decision-making in a fast-paced environment can be overwhelming. Hiring senior employees alleviates some of the stress associated with numerous responsibilities, providing a steadying influence and a wealth of experience to draw upon.

Attention to detail: In the dynamic realm of business, a sharp focus on details can be easily overlooked adding to a pile of errors amdist the hustle and bustle. Bringing a seasoned employee on board ensures a vigilant troubleshooter capable of addressing project intricacies and navigating through potential roadblocks.

Flexibility is a notable trait among retirees, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into diverse schedules, even for short-term projects. Companies engaging with senior professionals benefit from their extensive field experience, adept problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate with a diverse range of customers and personalities.

Value for money: Investing time and resources in hiring only to see employees depart within a few months can be disheartening. Seeking a dependable workforce is a strategic solution, with senior retirees often emerging as the epitome of reliability and dedication. Their lack of career ambitions allows for a more trustworthy and enduring commitment to the organisation.

Highlighting another advantage, the loyalty exhibited by retired individuals is a trait that cannot be overlooked. Their prolonged association with a single company signifies reliability, showcasing a wealth of knowledge and experience that significantly contributes to their effectiveness as employees. The enjoyment they derive from their work further enhances their productivity, making them valuable assets to any organisation.