Meenakshi Dawar on Building Gracias Living: A Compassionate Community for Seniors

Meenakshi, CEO of Gracias Living, leads a heartfelt initiative to provide compassionate care for seniors in her Assisted Living facility, drawing on over 20 years of diverse experience in customer satisfaction. Previously, as Head of Customer Experience at Spinny, she enhanced customer loyalty and profitability while managing multiple departments. Her mission at Gracias Living is to create a nurturing community where seniors can thrive with dignity and grace, offering them companionship, comfort, and exceptional care—a reflection of her vision for enriching their lives.

How did your journey to establishing Gracias Living begin, and what motivated you to create it? 

The thought of Gracias Living started when my husband’s grandmother died alone with the maid. We were all well off and kept a caregiver for her daily needs. But the most important fact I learned was that it wasn’t only about care but about loneliness. Above all they need companionship. All their life they worked hard that they will enjoy sometime in future with what they have accumulated, but truth is quite bitter, so for me Gracias is all about building Senior community where our Seniors enjoy every day of their golden years with love, laughter, and happiness. The word Gracias itself means thank you, creating a thank you living for Seniors to make their life better each day and every day. 

How did you navigate the challenges of implementing your ideas and bringing Gracias Living into existence? 

 Implementing our ideas wasn’t easy. The first and foremost entry barrier is the cost involved and the slow evolving mindset and market. We had to do a lot of research and planning to figure out how to make Gracias Living a reality. We talked to many experts and studied other similar businesses to learn what worked and what didn’t. Building a team of people who shared our vision was crucial, but it took time to find the right people. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, we remained determined and Gracias came into existence. 

Could you outline the business model of Gracias Living and how it prioritizes the well-being of seniors? 

Gracias Living operates on a business model that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of seniors. We provide a range of services to cater to the needs of our beloved seniors, including premium rooms with senior-friendly infrastructure, personalized care plans, nutritious meals, daily activities and entertainment, housekeeping and laundry, transportation assistance, medication management, social interaction and community engagement, and 24/7 emergency response. By charging for these services, we can sustain our operations while ensuring that seniors receive the high-quality care and support they deserve. 

What sets Gracias Living apart from other senior care facilities in a competitive market? 

Gracias Living stands out in the competitive market due to its commitment to personalized care and comfortable living tailored to the unique needs of each senior. Our focus is on providing a personalized experience and building a senior community with heart and purpose. Our dedicated team of caregivers and their empathy towards our beloved seniors sets us apart from other senior care facilities. 

How did you find co-founders who shared your vision for Gracias Living? 

I and Vishal Siwach have known each other for quite a long time and always discussed Elder Care and the need for building a senior community to combat loneliness. Our values are aligned, and finally Gracias came into existence. We both are passionate about senior care and dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment for our beloved seniors. 

What is your strategy for expansion, and when do you believe it’s the right time for new founders to seek funding? 

Currently focusing on just building a warm senior living and delivering amazing customer experience, ensuring that we maintain the quality of care while growing our reach. We believe that seeking funding may be six months down the line after having our learning and insights, when the timing aligns with our growth trajectory and the need for additional resources to serve more seniors effectively. 

What impact do you hope Gracias Living will have on the lives of its residents and their families? 

 Gracias Living aims to have a positive impact, firstly on us; we have humbled down a lot and secondly on the lives of the seniors and their families by providing a safe, nurturing environment and compassionate care, where seniors can live fully socially, emotionally, and physically. 

Can you share a significant obstacle you faced while building Gracias Living and how you overcame it? 

 A significant obstacle we faced while building Gracias Living was securing the necessary funds and resources to establish our first facility. It was tough, getting the right hire, making arrangements for elderly-friendly infrastructure, but it all happened and we overcame the challenges and successfully launched Gracias Living. 

What personally motivates you to lead Gracias Living and make a difference in the lives of seniors? 

 Personally, I am motivated to lead Gracias Living by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors, making them feel valued, loved, appreciated, and most importantly, combating loneliness. Seeing the positive impact of our care and services brings me great satisfaction and drives me to continuously improve and innovate. 

How does Gracias Living engage with the local community beyond providing senior care services? 

 Gracias Living actively engages with the local community through outreach programs and participation in community events. We believe in giving back and contributing to the well-being of the community beyond our senior care services. 

How do you ensure that Gracias Living maintains a balance between business objectives and the well-being of its residents? 

 We ensure that Gracias Living maintains a balance between business objectives and resident well-being by prioritizing the needs and preferences of our residents in all decision-making processes. We are dedicated to providing high-quality care while also ensuring the financial sustainability of our operations. 

Are there any innovative approaches or technologies that Gracias Living is implementing to enhance the quality of care for seniors? 

Gracias Living is constantly exploring innovative approaches and technologies to enhance the quality of care for seniors, but honestly, the most important element here is not technology but the trust which you build with the family members of the residents that we will take care of your loved ones like you do. But we are working on lots of IOT products to enhance the quality of living of our seniors. 

Can you talk about some numbers, to say where and with whom did you begin Gracias? How much did the founders invest in starting the business? How and when do you see yourself becoming profitable and when do you think there should be a need for new investments? How big should it be and where will you invest it? 

 Gracias Living began with a small team of six dedicated individuals passionate about senior care. I and Vishal invest significant time, effort, and resources into Gracias, with a focus on creating a warm community for seniors along with a sustainable model for growth. We envision becoming profitable as we expand our reach and serve more seniors effectively, and we will consider new investments to support our growth initiatives and enhance our services. 

How do you plan to address the evolving needs and preferences of seniors as Gracias Living continues to grow and expand? 

We plan to address the evolving needs and preferences of seniors by continuously gathering feedback from our residents and their families, staying updated on industry trends and best practices, and actively seeking innovative solutions to enhance our services. Flexibility and adaptability are key, and we are committed to adjusting our offerings to ensure that they meet the changing needs of our senior community. 

Could you elaborate on the role of technology in improving the overall experience for seniors at Gracias Living, and how do you ensure that it complements the human-centric approach to care? 

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience for seniors at Gracias Living by providing innovative solutions for safety, communication, and entertainment. However, we ensure that technology always complements our human-centric approach to care by prioritizing personal interactions and relationships. We leverage technology to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance convenience for both residents and staff, while always maintaining a focus on the human connection that is at the heart of our care philosophy. 

As you look towards the future, what measures are in place to ensure that Gracias Living remains a sustainable and thriving business while staying true to its mission of providing compassionate care for seniors? 

Looking towards the future, we are committed to implementing sustainable business practices that prioritize both financial viability and the well-being of our residents. This includes careful financial planning, responsible resource management, and ongoing assessment of our operations to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, we remain dedicated to our mission of providing compassionate care for seniors by fostering a culture of empathy, respect, and continuous improvement within our organization. By balancing these priorities, we aim to ensure that Gracias Living remains a sustainable and thriving business for years to come.