How would you feel if you were placed in a society where kindness is a daily habit rather than just a concept? This may sound idealistic, perhaps even impossible, but it is exactly what I experienced during my internship at VataVriksh Parent Care.
When I first walked in, I felt the typical hesitation and unease of a teenager engaging with the elderly in a professional care setting. I was constantly worried about saying the wrong thing or not knowing how to react. As a psychology student, I had studied concepts like empathy, aging, and emotional well-being, but stepping into VataVriksh Parent Care made me realize the vast distance between a textbook and lived experience.
From the very first day, the atmosphere was distinct. Residents, caregivers, and staff interacted with a profound sense of warmth, patience, and respect. It wasn’t a space defined by “you vs. me,” but by a rich sense of “us.” This collective environment felt like a genuine practice of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the belief that the world is one family.
Each day followed a shared rhythm. We started our mornings with simple exercises that promoted both physical health and a sense of connection. Meals were shared, conversations flowed freely, and laughter echoed in the evenings. We shared the full spectrum of human emotion, from the quiet sadness of difficult moments to the vibrant joy of birthdays. These shared experiences forged deep bonds and significantly lessened the loneliness that so often affects senior citizens.
As time passed, my initial hesitation transformed into confidence and emotional openness. I learned how simple gestures—listening attentively, maintaining eye contact, and offering reassurance—could significantly impact someone’s emotional state. Observing the residents, I realized that while each individual carried their own struggles, health concerns, and fading independence, they rarely allowed these challenges to define them. From a psychological and moral perspective, it showed me that “being okay” isn’t just about clinical help; it’s about feeling safe, noticed, and truly cared for.
This internship did more than teach me about elder care; it reshaped me as an individual and as a future psychologist. I became far more attuned to non-verbal cues and the nuances of human connection. It is difficult to fully capture everything I learned at VataVriksh Parent Care, but if I were to conclude this reflection in one line, it would be this: If you are looking for a place where compassion meets healing, and where care is rooted in dignity, VataVriksh Parent Care is truly that place.
Written by:
Ritika Nagar
Psychology Intern, VataVriksh Parent Care
Student, Dept. of Psychology, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi
Posted by Dr Subodh Kumar, Project Director & Cognitive Psychologist at VataVriksh Parent Care
