World Mental Health Day: How Community and Care Enrich Life at RH Dharan

For the brave veterans and widows in our care, good mental health is every bit as vital as physical well-being. As our elders age, changes in mobility, the loss of lifelong companions, or spending time away from family can naturally bring feelings of loneliness and quiet reflection.

At our Residential Home in Dharan, our team looks after the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. We ensure our residents feel cherished, active, and connected every single day through regular exercise, joyful festival celebrations, games, and shared spiritual moments.

Over the past year alone, our Dharan team hosted:

– 16 social activities to foster friendship and laughter

– 23 physical exercise sessions to maintain strength and mobility

– 11 mental wellbeing sessions, alongside gentle counselling, family visits, cultural traditions, and spiritual support

While these may seem like simple daily routines, they make a profound difference, bringing dignity, purpose, and lasting joy to those who served us so faithfully.

Keeping minds and bodies active

The team encourages residents to remain as active and independent as possible through morning walks, physiotherapy, mobility exercises, fitness activities and memory games. These activities help residents maintain their strength, balance and mobility, while also supporting their cognitive health. 

For Bishnu Kumari Rai, taking part has also helped her feel more confident and connected. 

“I really enjoy taking part in these activities. They help me remember things better, and I feel that my memory has improved. I enjoy playing games with my friends and spending time together. It makes me happy. I feel good, I feel more independent, and I am happy to be here.” 

Her words capture something that numbers alone cannot: the value of having people around you, having something to look forward to and feeling that you still have an active role to play. 

More than activities

The team also recognises that mental wellbeing is closely connected to relationships and a sense of belonging. 

Residents celebrate festivals together, take part in community activities and have opportunities to spend time with their families. Counselling and supportive conversations give residents a safe space to talk about their feelings and concerns, while spiritual activities such as meditation, prayer and support from religious practitioners provide comfort according to each resident’s beliefs. 

For the staff, these activities are not simply ways of keeping residents occupied. They are part of creating an environment where older people feel respected, supported and valued. 

Kewal Rai, a nurse at Residential Home Dharan, has seen the difference this can make. 

“Mental health and wellbeing are extremely important, both in the workplace and for our residents. For our residents, the activities we organise and the health education we provide have made a real difference to their mental wellbeing. They can help reduce feelings of loneliness, stress and depression, while improving their happiness and overall quality of life. 

“These activities also support their memory and thinking abilities, build their independence and confidence, and help them maintain positive relationships with their families and wider community. Most importantly, they help our residents feel safe, cared for and supported.” 

A community, not just a home

For Jay Limbu, Residential Home Dharan’s Admin Coordinator, this sense of connection is at the heart of the home’s approach. 

“Good mental health is just as important as physical health, especially as people grow older. At Residential Home Dharan, we want our residents to feel valued, connected and involved. Through activities such as exercise, games, festivals, counselling and opportunities to spend time with their friends and families, we give them reasons to stay active and engaged. 

“We have seen how these activities can reduce loneliness and help residents feel happier and more confident. They also help maintain their physical mobility and memory, while giving residents a sense of purpose and belonging. Most importantly, we want every resident to feel that they are not alone, that they are cared for, respected and part of a community.” 

Growing older with dignity

Ultimately, a life lived with dignity means having a place to belong, a community to lean on, and a reason to smile every single day. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of our supporters, we can continue providing our brave Gurkha veterans and widows with the holistic care, companionship, and respect they so richly deserve.