As part of efforts to motivate and restimulate aged patients, an exclusive park for aged visitors and patients at the geriatric unit of Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore was inaugurated on Saturday.
Health officials said that the new park was a joint initiative of the government hospital, Rotary Club of Vellore and Inner Wheel Club of Vellore North. The park, which covers around 3,500 sq.ft, has native tree species like neem, peepal and fruit bearing trees.
It has a tiled walking track for visitors, who are old persons including out-patients at the geriatric unit, lawn, water taps, washrooms, LED lights and CCTV cameras. “The park can be accessed only by old persons including patients. The facility will be manned by at least three staff nurses to ensure safety of visitors,” Bijin Oliver John, senior assistant professor, Geriatrics Unit, GMCH (Vellore), told The Hindu.
Formed in 2017, Geriatric Unit is a 20-bedded facility in the hospital. Around patients, on an average, get treated at the facility as out-patients every day. The unit is led by Mr. John with five nurses, four multi-purpose staff and a physiotherapist. It also has a separate pharmacy, OPD counter and laboratory. Most of the cases are related to fall risk assessment.
Health officials said that the need for the park was felt because most of the patients in the unit do not have much physical movement due to space crunch. The park will help them to become active, spend their time in leisure and interact with other visitors. In order to ensure their safety, buffalo grass has been planted in the park as this type of grass provides much cushion for users. Such grass has more durability and can grow in arid regions with less water intake.
Six benches have been set up in the park for seating arrangements. Water taps, washrooms and ramps were also provided in the new facility. Except on Sundays, the park will be open on all days till 8 p.m.
On the occasion, M. Rohini Devi, dean, GMCH (Vellore), other doctors, staff and visitors were present.
Published – March 29, 2025 11:17 pm IST
