A small day-care center for elderly people in Kozhikode district of Kerala is helping many seniors overcome loneliness and find joy in community life. The center, called Asa Nilayam Pakal Veedu (Abode of Hope Day Home), is run by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in the village of Kallanode.
The initiative began in April 2023 when the sisters noticed that many elderly parents in the parish were living alone. In many families, children had moved abroad or to other cities for work or studies, leaving their parents behind. The center was started with the support of the local parish of the Diocese of Thamarassery.
The day home welcomes about 18 elderly people, all above the age of 70. The center functions from morning to afternoon. The day usually begins with conversation and sharing, followed by prayer, light exercise, and recreational activities. The elders also watch videos, share a simple lunch, and enjoy games like carrom and cards.
The sisters do not charge any fees, as many of the elders live on small pensions or depend on financial support from their children abroad. The goal of the center is simply to give lonely seniors a place where they can meet others and feel supported.
Priests and church leaders say loneliness among elderly parents has become a major social issue in Kerala because of large-scale migration. Community efforts like this day home offer a caring solution. For many elders, the center has become a second home where they can laugh, share their stories, and forget their worries for a few hours each day.
