A free residential dementia care facility for 100 needy elders will open near Doddaballapur

Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT) will open Smriti Gram, an integrated dementia village in Thirumagondanahalli, Doddaballapur taluk, Bengaluru Rural District on November 6. In its first phase, the village will provide free residential care to 100 elderly people with dementia from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The trust has described the initiative as the first of its kind in the country to offer free residential dementia care to marginalized older people. The facility will combine specialized residential care, caregiver training and research and innovation with a long-term vision to develop a 300-bed care ecosystem.

The NMT appealed to families, hospitals, doctors, NGOs, social workers, community organizations and government agencies to refer older people who need residential dementia care but do not have access to appropriate support.

Entry only with a confirmed diagnosis

Preference will be given to people aged 55 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia, particularly those from economically disadvantaged families who require round-the-clock supervision and have little or no carer support. These include older people who live alone or face neglect, those whose older family carers can no longer provide the care they require, and people with moderate dementia and significant care needs.

Admission will be based on clinical assessment, eligibility verification and facility admissions. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee admission.

“Financial constraints should never be a barrier to quality dementia care. We are appealing to the public and organizations working with vulnerable older people to help us identify needy older people with dementia who do not have access to adequate care,” said Radha S. Murthy, NMT’s Chief Trustee.

S. Premkumar Raja, Secretary, NMT, said Smriti Gram aimed to create a sustainable dementia care model by integrating care services, capacity building and research that could be replicated across the country.

Families and organizations can inquire about referrals and admissions by calling 080-4242 6565, emailing contact@nightingaleseldercare.com or visiting www.nightingaleseldercare.com

Published – 28 Oct 2026 20:54 IST