Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 21: The SaathiShift Companion Training programme, organised in partnership with Luminara, is set to commence from March 23, offering a comprehensive six-day training aimed at equipping participants with essential skills for quality elder care.
The programme, designed as an intensive learning experience, seeks to prepare companions with the knowledge, practical skills, and empathy required to support the senior community. It will be conducted from March 23 to March 28, with daily sessions scheduled between 10:00 am and 12:30 pm. The inaugural day will begin earlier at 9:30 am.
The primary venue for the first five days will be Hope Villa, while the concluding session will be held at Ave Maria Palliative Care in Vamanjoor. A short tea break is scheduled at 11:15 am each day.
The training is being conducted by a panel of experts from diverse fields including healthcare, law, social welfare, and emergency response. Leading the programme is Dr Lavina M Noronha, director of Ave Maria Palliative Care and representative of Luminara, who brings extensive international experience in counselling, dementia care, and gerontology.
Other key faculty members include Dr Shyam Krishnan, assistant professor at Kasturba Medical College with expertise in community-based rehabilitation; Kripanjali Tellis Nayak, a senior living consultant and soft skills trainer; advocate Kavitha Murugesh, an advocate and academic specialising in human rights; Santhosh Peter D'Souza, an experienced advocate and safety trainer; and Sudheer Pai, who brings insights into veteran care and disciplined support systems.
The programme curriculum spans a wide range of topics. The opening day will focus on the dynamics of ageing and ethical caregiving, introducing participants to the principles of respectful and person-centred support. The second day will address safe mobility and physical boundaries, highlighting fall prevention and safe assistance techniques.
Communication and engagement form the core of the third day, where participants will learn effective interaction strategies and emotional support techniques. The fourth day will cover veteran care and legal aspects, including elder rights and boundaries in caregiving roles.
On the fifth day, participants will receive training in first aid and emergency response, equipping them to handle medical situations with confidence. The final day, hosted at Ave Maria, will focus on dementia care, offering practical insights into managing cognitive challenges while preserving dignity and ensuring compassionate support.
Organisers stated that the initiative aims to build a new generation of trained companions who can deliver ethical, safe, and empathetic care to senior citizens, addressing a growing need in the community.