New dementia care village to open near Bengaluru for needy elders

Nightingales Medical Trust will open a free residential care village for elders with dementia on November 6 in Bengaluru Rural district.

Details and Eligibility

Named Smriti Gram, the integrated facility is located in Thirumagondanahalli within Doddaballapur taluk. The first phase of the village will offer free residential care to 100 elders with dementia who come from poor financial backgrounds. The trust calls the project the first of its kind in India to provide free residential care for marginalised seniors with the condition. The overall site will combine specialised care, caregiver training, and research, with a long-term goal of building a 300-bed ecosystem. Priority for admission goes to individuals aged 55 and above with a confirmed dementia diagnosis who need round-the-clock supervision and lack family support. This covers elders living alone, those facing neglect, people whose elderly caregivers cannot manage their needs, and those with moderate dementia. Admission depends on a clinical assessment and verification of eligibility, meaning meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee a spot.

Leadership and Referrals

Managing trustee Radha S. Murthy stated that money issues should never stop anyone from getting quality dementia care. Trust secretary S. Premkumar Raja noted that the village aims to build a sustainable model that other parts of the country can copy. The trust has asked families, hospitals, doctors, social workers, NGOs, and government agencies to refer elders who need help. People can contact the trust for admissions through the phone number 080-4242 6565, by emailing contact@nightingaleseldercare.com, or through their website.

Context

Dementia is a growing health challenge for aging populations, requiring specialized care and constant supervision that many poor families struggle to afford. Specialized facilities like Smriti Gram aim to fill this gap by providing structured support and professional training for caregivers.