Room at Pallonji Home

Though there is a pressing need for institutional residential facilities for senior citizens of the community, by a strange anomaly several beds remain unoccupied at The Pallonji Shapoorji Home for Senior Citizens located on the grounds of the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital (BDPPGH). And, even more strangely, these beds are in the free section on the ground floor (14 vacancies) and the first floor (nine vacancies) where the charge is a nominal Rs 4,000 per month, including all meals. The second and third floors of the ground-plus-three-floor Home are full, but for two recent vacancies resulting from the demise of the occupants. The charges for these rooms and some suites range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 70,000 per month, depending on the accommodation provided.

The dormitory type space on the ground floor is free and occupants are given all meals — morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner — served buffet style. In addition, they are periodically taken for day outings and have recreational programs arranged for them. They also enjoy television, carom and such facilities on the premises.
Perhaps the inhibiting factor may be that no medical facilities are provided on the premises, though a doctor does visit at regular intervals. Applicants are informed during the very first interview of the management’s decision that persons who lose their mobility would have to vacate. However, the Home has an arrangement with the BDPPGH whereby prompt medical attention is given and the occupant may return to the Home when medically fit as the accommodation is retained for them for three months.
Applicants between the ages of 60 and 75 years may apply to The Pallonji Shapoorji Home for Senior Citizens, B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital Premises, Bomanji Petit Road, Bombay 400036; tel: (022) 64519173 and (022) 65726226.