Elderly Care

One often forgotten and neglected segment of the leprosy population is the elderly.  Living in a leprosy colony is very tough for all ages, but, for the elderly, end-of-life is a desperate and often lonely battle for survival.  Many times the elderly live alone, have little to no means of support, and finish life in the harshest of circumstances.

In 2008 Embrace a Village began construction on a 35 bed hospice center in Coimbator, India.  It began admitting patients in 2009.  Today 14 patients reside there full-time.  Older patients embrace in the hospice end their lives with some measure of comfort and dignity.

While the number of aging seniors is diminishing due to their high mortality rate and decreasing incidence of new, long-term untreated cases of leprosy, the hospice also provides other services to the community, including handling burials and remains of those without families or with families who refuse to claim the body.  Our nursing staff also often finds themselves providing general medical services for the surrounding communities, who have little to no medical help.

The hospice is a major undertaking and has many needs.  We desire the level of care and attention given to be a high standard.  Proper medical care, hospital beds, equipment, and supplies are always needed.  We are seeking on-going provisions for beds, other equipment, and staffing.   Our hearts’ desire is to enable leprosy patients, who become our friends, to die with dignity, to feel love, and pass without undue comfort.

Elderly Care