First-of-its-kind assisted living and daycare facility for elderly launched in Karachi

A first-of-its-kind assisted living and daycare facility for the elderly was launched in Karachi’s Clifton on Saturday.

The facility, named ‘Senior Circle’, is designed to meet all the essential needs of senior citizens, offering medical care, exercise sessions, and a variety of other services to support their well-being and comfort.

The launch event was attended by people from different walks of life. They were given a guided tour of the place.

Speaking on the occasion, Konain Hasan, co-owner of the facility, said: “Senior Circle is an assisted living facility, a premium old age home.”

He explained that it is not a hospice or a nursing home and is not intended for people who are severely ill or required severe medical assistance. “It is a first-of-its-kind premium assisted living facility, and in my research I have not been able to find a similar assisted living facility in Pakistan,” he added.

In a lighter vein, Hasan shared: “A lot of people ask where did this idea come from? I tell them from the bottom of my heart. Honestly, this is a place I want to set up so that if my parents get any more annoying, I can send them here. But of course, I am kidding, my parents are the sweetest.” He maintained that there was a hint of truth in this humour as he wanted to create a place where he would be comfortable going himself and sending his parents.

Highlighting the need for such facilities in the country, Hasan said, “In the last 10 to 15 years, we have seen brain drain and the export of talent. While we all hope to reverse this trend, we also need to prepare for its impact. As people continue to leave for better opportunities abroad, they often leave behind loved ones who have no one to care for them. This facility is for them.”

He pointed out that it was not a welfare project, adding that there were already old age homes in conditions that most people would not want to experience themselves, let alone sending parents. “These are almost counterproductive because they lead to depression and other issues,” he added.

Billing the facility as “a labour of love”, Hasan said people would be entrusting us with their money and elderly to take care of them. “They will give us trust and we will try to deliver on that trust.”

“We will have nurses on premises to take care of their medical needs, exercise classes, grooming classes and everything that they would need. But the one thing that I am the most excited about that we will give them is that we will take away their loneliness.”