It is a saying that “The elderly are the light of the house and may no house be without light”. the wrinkles on their faces tell of the passage of time. The days that they spend when their children and family bring to them the sweet memories of the past, and the hope to live, even as they are no longer with them. Old age is when people need others more than ever: a time when the kindness and love of the family increase their life expectancy and gives them a sense of dignity and value. In the past when fathers and mothers and their children lived together with their son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. The children grew up in an environment full of love; kindness and love was strengthened, and attachment to the warmth of the family found its meaning. Children grow up in kindergartens, instead of their mothers’ arms. When grown up children go after their own lives, leaving the parents to themselves. When parents, after years of working hard, raising their children with love and affection, are exhausted and need to rest and live in peace next them, instead they look to fate to see what it will do for them.
Its name says what it is: a home for the elderly; a place that is going to be home in their old age and help to turn the loneliness and boredom of old age into more joyful moments. Zoroastrian seniors are no exception in this life process; those whose children are living abroad and so they are living alone for some reasons such as infirmities, need a place where the can feel peace and comfort among their peers. In line with the needs of the Zoroastrian community in Yazd, in 1399 (2020) it was suggested to the Zoroastrian Association of Rahmatabad, Yazd, to change the function of Dr Bahram Parvaresh’s guest house into an elderly boarding home for this vulnerable group, and to appoint people to manage it in the form of board of trustees. Rostam Farkhondeh, member of the board of trustees of Tehran nursing home, accepted our request for an interview, to learn about implementation and preparation process of Parvaresh nursing home, and answer our questions willingly.
What was the motivation for changing the use of the reception hall to a nursing home?
This matter was put forward for several reasons; let me tell you from the beginning. A few years ago, Mr Hami Gandhi, the then president of Fezana, came to Iran with a delegation at the invitation of an Iranian institution. He and his delegation also visited Yazd. Mr Sepanta Niknam, head of Yazd Association and Mr Jamshid Pirouzvand, head of the Taft and Suburbs Association, accompanies the delegation in Yazd. This visited included Yazd fire temple, Cham village and its dokhma. This trip left very pleasant memories for him land his accompanying team. After returning to the United States, one day, we had a meeting with Mr. Gandhi, together with an honorable friend who was the mediator of my acquaintance with him. In this meeting, we discussed steps that can be taken for the Zoroastrian community of Iran with the help of Parsees. While approving some of my suggestions, he said that due to the sanctions it was not possible to provide proper assistance.
In march 2020, when corona became an epidemic, the sad news of young and old dying from this disease in Yazd sent everyone grieving. I called Mr Gandhi and asked him to help fellow citizens and Zoroastrians of Yazd, and he humbly accepted. I connected him to Sepanta Niknam, head of Yazd Zoroasgtrian Association so he could explain the needs of Zoroastrians in Yazd and how to help. Mr Gandhi, together with Dr sirus Poonawala and Mrs Dr shernaz Kama, sent valuable medications to Yazd along with a ventilator, in 2 batches, so that the Yazd Zoroastrian association could help Yazd University of Medical Sciences to tread corona patients with these donation. The role of Dr ekhtiari was significant.
This was just the beginning. Due to the persistence of corona, disturbing news was heard about the safety of the elderly Zoroastrians who lived alone in Yazd and there was no possibility for them visits fiends and neighbors. Such distressing news strengthened the thought in me to think of a safe place for these seniors to live in. First, we decided to build small houses for the elderly in Cham village to bring life back to Zoroastrian villages and for young people to come and go, but this idea also had its problems and difficulties. We thought of finding a place in the city. Engineer Parviz Varjavand generously proposed a house, but turning it into a nursing home had its problems.
So far you explained the motivation for building a nursing home; now please tell us about the procedure, i.e., selecting Parvaresh guest house and implementation of the project. A few years ago, the Zoroastrian Association of Yazd invited dr goharizadeh, chairman of the board of trustees of Tehran nursing home, to give his ideas on the change of use of Felfeli dormitory into a nursing home and also cooperation with this Association. Dr rostam goharizadeh gave necessary guidance, but this project could not materialize for certain reasons.
Even before, in one of the association’s meetings, Rahmatabad Association announced that they are ready to give the Parvaresh guest house to the Zoroastrian community for turning it into a home for the elderly. In any case, I found this proposal more practical in consultation with the representative and knowledgeable friends, and we started the work with the promise of financial help from a few donors. I spoke with Mr Sohrab Khosraviani, head of Rahmatabad Zoroastrian Association and we wrote a memorandum of understanding indicating that I will undertake pro provide the cost of construction and change of utilization, with the help of fellow Zoroastrians. First, we gathered together as the board of trustees of this project, including Dr. Khodamorad Jamshidi, Engineer Parviz Soheyl, Dr. Esfandiar Ekhtiari, Shahrokh Bastani (Director of Poruchista Institute), Shahrokh Najari, Sohrab Firouzfard, Sohrab Khosroviani (chairman of Rahmatabad Zoroastrian Association) and myself. A current account has been opened in the name of four of the members, and Mr Kamran Lorian is in charge of the accounts. In 2020 we started the construction work with cooperation of Eng. Farrokh Forrokhmanesh and his wife, Mrs Minoo Mobed, both architects. I wish to thank them here, for their valued cooperation and high taste in designing. The balance sheet will be presented to the community members after inauguration of this center. In spite of the costs going several times above the initial estimate, the work has been completed and the balance sheet will be presented to the community members after inauguration of this center.
Tell me about the mechanism and equipment and the work done
We only left the walls of the guest house intact, and the rest was reconstructed. The whole infrastructure of the building, including the engine room, the heating system, and the electricity, water, and gas meters, have been changed. Three warehouses in the yard and a new kitchen have been added to the building. Piping and wiring systems have been worked safely in the building. The air conditioning system was set up, an the 3-phase electricity was converted into 50 amps. We are grateful to Mr. Shahbahram Lor Kalantari, a problem solver for electrical, administrative, and municipal works; we are also thankful to Mr Razin Yektai, another problem solver. We lowered the ceiling of the rooms and made them with expanded metal; the roof was insulated, the windows were double-glazed, and the facade of the building was restored in its traditional style. The capacity of this house is for 20 seniors, and its construction has been prepared based on the regulation of small houses for the rehabilitation of the elderly. All rooms are equipped with air conditioners. The outside space is entirely traditional, and the inside area is built according to today’s needs. In the corridor, on both sides kitchenets have been built, so that if someone wants to cook for her/himself, she/he have the feeling of being at home.
There are hospital beds in all the double and triple rooms. The meeting hall and library for reading and for conversations are also part of the house. There are stairs for the elderly to go to the yard and a ramp for wheelchairs so that the residents can easily use the open yard space for getting fresh air. A waterscape is also installed against the wall, where the soothing sound of water from the waterscape gives a pleasant effect to the yard. Next to it, a gazebo and some benches have been put for the residents to use. Construction work is finished but interior work, the yard’s lighting system and the kitchen equipment are still not finished. Rostam Farkhondeh talked about this place as if he had prepared the best for his most beloved ones, and there should be no shortage seen. He also spoke about naming this house, and the fees that the residents would have to pay. “The name of the house should be approved by the Welfare Organization; our suggestion is “Parvaresh Home”, because the good name of Dr Bahram Parvaresh should live; we will see what the Welfare Organization will have to say about this.
With view to the funds spent to complete this house and the fact that there may be some who will no be able to pay the boarding fees, so we have decided to open a deposit account with the help of donors, to cover the current cost of this place. At present, many senior Zoroastrians are living in nursing homes under conditions that are not worthy of our fellow Zoroastrians.
Of course, this place will not be free of charge, because the costs are incredibly high, but we are trying to create conditions so that our dear seniors can stay in this place day and night, in peace and comfort. Here, Rostam Farkhondeh is silent and in thought. Maybe in his thoughts he is wishing that just as the loving arms of the parents are the safest place to live and their presence throws light on the path that their children pave, in growth and life, the children in turn will not leave their parents alone in their old age and do not forget the hands that gave them the ability to live. Now he is disabled, and only with the power of love and kindness of his family and living with his children and grandchildren can he spend a peaceful old age.
