In the given context, the Elderly Care, Wellness and Engagement Programme in the capital city of Odisha is an attempt to make it an ‘Age-Friendly City’ providing “an inclusive and accessible community environment that optimizes opportunities for health, participation and security, ensuring quality of life and dignity for people as they age”.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Social Security and Empowerment of Person with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, Government of Odisha. The programme named as “Anand”, aims to create a comprehensive model of elderly care through demonstration of model activity centres (Hub and Neighbourhood Centres), primarily to increase awareness of the elderly on health and health facilities and to develop platforms to keep the elderly engaged and happy, thus keeping them healthy for a longer period of time.

The theme of the programme has been coined as “WISDOM” that includes:

  • Wellness
  • Inclusion
  • Sharing
  • Dignity
  • Opportunity
  • Mainstreaming

The approach of the ANAND Programme involves setting up of Hub and spoke centres (Neighbourhood Centres) in the city of Bhubaneshwar to make it a model city, which is sensitive to the needs of the targeted groups.

The purpose of the Hub and spoke centre (Neighbourhood Centre) is to provide a facility for the targeted groups to indulge in what captures their imagination and what pleases them, be it group discussions, awareness sessions, quiet time with their favourite books and magazines, physical fitness to suit their mood, indoor games, group activity, access to basic health services, nutritious tasty meals, entertainment or showcasing of their skills and talent. A location where they are assured of spending their time in a dignified way with independence, socialization and community based services. Such centres will also give an opportunity to participate in community linked volunteerism programmes.