Anamay Healthcare Services: Supporting Independence and Wellness in the Elderly

 

All seniors deserve a facility where they feel safe, respected, and cared for—a facility where they will be remembered because of their life stories and experiences, not because of their age. Anamay Healthcare Services, directed by Dr. Pallavi Desai, is that facility. With her large heart and desire to help others, Dr. Pallavi began Anamay Healthcare Services so that she could provide more than just medicine. It's a place where senior citizens receive the care they deserve for both body and soul, with a focus on geriatric care that approaches each individual as just that – an individual.

The growth of Anamay Healthcare Services developed through Dr. Pallavi’s dual commitment between professional expertise and personal dedication. Having spent more than 15 years in hospitals, she gained expertise in running medical operations as well as delivering quality patient care. Helping elderly individuals had been Dr. Pallavi’s life goal since she wanted to care for the older population that receives little attention from society. Her empathy for the elderly made her commit her time to volunteering and passing festivals with old age home residents. That's where she understood the elderly were in need of not just care, but someone to talk to them and love them.

This is how Anamay Healthcare Services was born—an idea to provide senior citizens not only with medical care, but also emotional and mental comfort. All the hard work of Dr. Pallavi has made Anamay one of the most well-respected names in aging care today, providing a geriatric care model that merges the medical care with a warm, loving environment.

Let us discover Anamay Healthcare Services' groundbreaking model of elder care, emphasizing dignity, independence, and wellness for the aging population!

A Journey to Serve the Elderly

Dr. Pallavi’s path into senior care didn’t start the way one might expect. “I began my career in the hospital industry, but not in medicine,” she recalls. “I worked in the non-medical sector—helping build hospitals, managing operations, and handling quality and branding.” During these years, she discovered her deep compassion for people, especially the elderly.

Working in hospitals taught her that compassion is essential in healthcare. In hospitals, you have a lot of patients, but it's the elderly who also require special attention—not physically, but emotionally," she elucidates. This took her to a new path. Though working in the hospital industry still, she also started volunteering at old age homes, hosting birthdays and festivals for the elderly. "Being with them made me understand that they needed more than care—connection, dignity, and respect," she says.

Later, Dr. Pallavi came to a career junction. "I had done everything I could within the hospital industry, but I needed to do something more significant. That's when I began specializing in elderly care," she says.

And thus, Anamay Healthcare Services came into existence—a caring, integral way of senior care that not only offers bodily care but also emotional and mental care, centering on the special needs of the elderly. 

Pioneering Assisted Living for the Elderly

Anamay Healthcare Services's philosophy of caring for seniors is different. Dr. Pallavi didn't wish to establish another old age home; she wished to provide something different—a space where old people could live independently, with dignity, and be happy. "We were the first to conceptualize 'assisted living' in India," she states with pride. "Assisted living is for individuals who require more than medical assistance—they require assistance with daily living, emotional support, and companionship."

Whether recovering from stroke, post-operative care, or struggling with chronic illnesses such as Dementia, Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's, the center provides a secure haven in which elderly adults can receive assistance necessary.

"We make sure that our residents get all that they require in one place—medical attention, physiotherapy, counseling, and even leisure activities such as yoga, art, and playful games. It's a holistic way of enhancing their quality of life," she says.

But building this ecosystem takes more than bricks and mortar—it demands a shift in culture in the way society treats old-age care. "Assisted living is not merely providing a room for the elderly to reside in. It is about the ability to provide an atmosphere where they are cared for, respected, and allowed to live as independently as possible," adds Dr. Pallavi. "At Anamay Healthcare Services, we ensure each resident's uniqueness is honored, and they can participate in activities that make them happy and satisfied."

Training is essential at the facility "Before we bring anyone on staff, we ensure they're thoroughly trained in caregiving," she says. "Even our housekeeping crew is trained in rudimentary caregiving and CPR. We don't want to ever compromise the level of care we provide, especially because our senior residents are delicate.

Dr. Pallavi stresses, "Each team member is a critical part of providing care. From the cooks who make healthy meals to the staff who help with the day-to-day activities, they all help in making life a little better for our residents."

The term "Anamay" is of great meaning. It means "keeping all diseases at bay" in Sanskrit, and it is also the title of the Hindu god Ganpati, representing protection and health. Dr. Pallavi appropriately selected this name, thinking that it encompasses the essence of what Anamay Healthcare Services stands for: an institution that offers care and protects the welfare of the elderly.

"I wanted anything but a generic name. I wanted something that speaks to the mission of our service," she says. "Anamay speaks to our vision of keeping older adults healthy and calm, even in their older age."

This spiritual link with the name is also Anamay's philosophy—to give not only physical care but also emotional and spiritual care to each resident, so that they are loved, respected, and valued. "The name Anamay Healthcare Services reminds me of our mission all the time. It is our dedication to wholistic care, making sure that our residents are not merely surviving but living their golden years to the fullest," she adds.

A Director's Vow of Compassionate Care

Beyond management, the Director's role is that of Dr. Pallavi. "I don't concentrate on day-to-day administration," she describes. "My actual concern is the people we take care of. I visit all our centers on a regular basis, talking with the residents, ensuring they're comfortable and being treated well."

Dr. Pallavi is hands-on when it comes to providing quality care at all levels. "I try to personally meet each of the residents. It's crucial that they feel noticed and heard. If an elderly individual is in our care, I need them to feel that they count."

Her practical way also involves making sure the old feel secure and comfortable. "At that stage, they can easily be scared," she says. "I make a point of conversing with them, listening to their issues, and making sure they're being well taken care of."

Apart from all this, Dr. Pallavi is committed to spreading awareness for senior care. "In India, there's still a taboo regarding old age homes and assisted living," she states. "But there are so many good facilities out there now. My purpose is to create awareness and make people realize that there are better facilities available."

Overcoming Challenges with Strength and Patience

Operating a senior care service is an emotional challenge. "The most difficult part is the emotional attachment you develop with the elderly," she says. "When they die, it's hard. But as time went on, I learned to remain strong. I have to keep busy taking care of the other ones who require our help."

She admits that elderly care can be demanding. “Elderly people can be repetitive and need extra attention, but they also have so much wisdom. It’s something I’ve learned to appreciate,” she says. “It’s taught me patience, and it’s made me a better person.”

"Old people are a bit like children. They require special attention, but their age brings experience that can show us a great deal," she smiles.

Pride in Anamay's Growth and Success

Dr. Pallavi is happy for Anamay's success, particularly because the company has expanded mostly by word of mouth. "We've never advertised—no billboards, no newspaper ads. Our success has come from the quality of care we provide," she says. "We've always had a waiting list. People trust us because of the love and care we give."

She's also proud of who she's become. "I've learned to be more patient and tolerant of the difficulties in this profession," she says. "People tell me I'm too young for this business, but I think it's an asset. It allows me to approach things from a new angle."

Dr. Pallavi reminds her staff, "Today might be someone's last meal, so spice it up. Spice it up something they love." It is a small, yet significant, act demonstrating how much the staff at the center values the residents.

A Story That Strengthened Her Resolve

One of the cases that touched Dr. Pallavi especially was one early in the pandemic. "We began in 2020, and I wasn't certain if we would make it. But within a month, our first center was full, and we needed to open a second one," she recollects.

One of her cases that touched her deeply was that of an old woman with Dementia whose son was stuck in Australia because of the pandemic. "Three times she had heart attacks with us. We managed to save her twice, but the third time we couldn't. Her son was not able to come, so he requested that I perform her last rites. I had never done anything like this before, but I did. I even went to Alandi's ghat for the ritual. That's what Anamay is all about—being there for our residents until the end."

One such story, Dr. Pallavi continues, is of an older lady who slipped at home and believed that she could not walk anymore. "With proper care and counseling, she was able to regain her walking strength. It was a miracle," Dr. Pallavi grins. "That's the kind of influence we have on lives." 

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Healthcare Leaders

Dr. Pallavi offers straightforward but strong advice to anyone looking to work in healthcare, particularly geriatric care. "You have to be empathetic—more than compassionate. Even if you haven't had it happen to you, treat every older person like they're your own relatives," she says. "Patience is key, and so is a utilitarian approach. Your emotional intelligence will make you stand out."

She continues, "This business needs balance. You must have empathy, but you must also be practical. That's the secret to doing some real good."