The Gift of time- old age home Visit

 Objectives of the Activity:

1. To help students understand the transition challenges from student life to professional life.
2. To motivate students to plan their career paths effectively through real-life alumni experiences.

 Activity Overview:

The First year students of the Post Graduate Department of Psychology, Carmel College of Arts, Science and Commerce for Women, organized a community outreach programme titled “The Gift of Time: A Visit to the Old Age Home” on 16th December 2025 at Shalom Retirement Home, Verna. The programme was organized with the primary objective of enhancing empathy and social sensitivity among students by enabling meaningful interaction with elderly residents and promoting an understanding of their emotional and psychosocial needs.

As part of the visit, students actively engaged with the residents through planned games and interactive activities designed to encourage participation, enjoyment, and social bonding. Simple indoor games, memory-based activities, music-related interactions, and group exercises were conducted, keeping in mind the physical comfort and abilities of the elderly. These activities created a lively and cheerful environment, fostering laughter, emotional expression, and a sense of togetherness among the residents.

In addition to the activities, students spent time in one-to-one and group conversations, listening attentively to the life experiences, memories, and concerns of the elderly residents. These interactions provided valuable insights into the emotional challenges faced in later life, including feelings of loneliness, loss, and the need for emotional support and companionship. The residents expressed happiness and appreciation for the time spent with them, reinforcing the importance of social connection and empathy.

The visit proved to be a mutually enriching experience for both students and residents. It sensitized students to the realities of ageing while nurturing compassion, patience, and social responsibility. The programme successfully achieved its objective of enhancing empathy and social sensitivity among students. The session also helped bridge academic learning with professional practice through expert interaction with a focus to strengthen alumni–student engagement and mentorship.

Outcomes of the Activity:

Provided valuable insights into the emotional challenges faced in later life.

Students demonstrated greater ability to recognise and respond to the feelings of elderly individuals.

Beneficiaries: