Who can join Smiles as a Member?

Any Indian Citizen, male or female, who has completed 55 years of age can function independently. He/She should have sufficient financial ability to meet both present and the future cost of living as well as the unknown cost which may arise due to health issues, can become a Member in Smiles.

My spouse is below 45 years. Can she become a Member?

Yes. There is no minimum age restriction for your spouse if your age is more than 55 years.

What are the restrictions for becoming a Member in Smiles?

• An Individual suffering with Communicable Disease.
• A person with any type of major and /or complex/venereal disease
• Mentally Disturbed or Insane
• Any person who was either punished by any court of law or arrested or imprisoned for any fraud, offenses or on charges or against whom complaints are still pending with the police , or against whom any trial before Civil or Criminal Court or any other authority is continuing anywhere either within or outside India.
• Any person who is addicted to smoking, chewing of pan, drugs, alcohol etc.
• In case if a member, concealed some information related to restrictions while taking his/her membership, the management will have the full right to terminate such membership immediately upon knowing the fact of such concealment.

Any other ground(s) of rejection as decided by the Management on case to case basis The management reserves the Right of Admission or Rejection of an Application.

Explain the process and procedure of becoming a Member of Smiles?

• Visit the authorized representatives / Trust Office of Smiles and understand the procedures including the terms and conditions to become a member of Smiles.
• Get to know the tentative admission time from Smiles
• Submit the application along with background verification charges
• After the successful background verification, undergo medical screening from our panel doctors at your cost
• After the successful medical screening, make payments towards the refundable/non-refundable membership deposit, joining fee, advance maintenance charges etc. applicable to the Category of Membership as advised by the management.
• Execute the contract of membership, nomination form etc.

The management will confirm the date. From the date of joining, the person will be under the care of Smiles.

Can I take the membership in advance?

No. However you can register yourself under “Soon After Membership” if the probable date of taking up the membership with Smiles is beyond a period of six months. It can be done by paying the part of refundable deposit. You will be given first priority for admission while you opt to become a member later.

Does advance booking guarantee admission in Smiles?

No. The individual needs to undergo the normal admission procedure and fulfill the conditions pertaining to admission while you opt to become a member later. .

Can I decide the joining date?

Yes. Six months clear advance intimation is required. However if availability is there, you may join early.

What will happen if I am unable to join on the date given by you?

You may choose another date with six months gap. However if availability is there, you may join early.

Can a member cancel the membership voluntarily?

Yes

What if a member vacates Smiles after a short span?

In case a member become a non-member, either on their personal grounds or at the discretion of the management within a period of 365 days from the date of occupancy, deemed short stay charges is applicable. For more details, contact Smiles trust office. The deemed short stay charges payable shall not be applicable if vacancy arises due to the demise of a member.

Is there interim membership (short stay) facility available?

Yes. Interim membership is available for continuous period of 7 days or such other higher days. Period of stay should be decided upfront. Strictly no extension shall be allowed and the person should check out on the pre agreed date.

What is the admission procedure for interim membership?

The individual needs to undergo general check-up by doctor along with a self-declaration about their health status. Failing in medical screening implies rejection of admission. At the time of admission the individual has to pay the interim membership charges (non-refundable) for 7 days or such other higher days shall be paid in advance calculated on per day basis and also refundable deposit calculated on per month basis or thereon, depending on the stay duration. The deposit amount will be refunded on checkout subject to other deductions like additional services availed, damages to assets if any etc. For more details, contact Smiles trust office

Should I undergo medical screening every time when I come for interim membership?

No. The medical screening once done is considered valid for one year.

Can a member be expelled from Smiles?

The cause of running Smiles is to care and serve seniors for peaceful living. It is implied that every member shall cooperate for its smooth running. No one should give any sort of trouble or inconvenience to others in any manner within Smiles. The appraisal committee will make periodical report about the various activities of every member. The management reserves the right of warning, taking corrective actions and if needed expel the member from Smiles.

What if the self-declaration regarding the ailments of a member is found false after joining Smiles?

It may become a cause for termination of membership by the management. The management reserves the full rights on this issue.

Is the facility meant for couples only or can singles also live here?

Singles are also welcome to live at Smiles as long as they meet the age criteria

Do I own the room?

No. The room is given either on a single or joint name on a life time stay basis

What are the retirement friendly features available within each room?

Each room is bright and cheerful. All the rooms are provided with non- slippery floor tiles in the bath. They are also fitted with guide rails. Apartments are intuitively furnished with wardrobes and side tables for convenience. There are several cheerful and bright open central courtyards in the building. The entire community has thin, wide steps and gradual slopes on stairs designed for easy use. There is an auto door elevator to access upper floors.

Is there a beauty parlor?

No.

Do you have cable connection to watch television?

Yes. No charges are payable.

Explain the browsing center facility?

Dedicated browsing centers with sufficient computers would cater the need of the members inside the library hall. The timing will be between 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Do you have any recreational facilities (or) is there any place to relax oneself in Smiles?

Yes. Periodical buffet along with live or recorded shows, concerts etc. would be arranged. Apart from this, open lawn, water body, indoor games, open auditorium, nearby temple, gardens, meditation hall and pyramid center will certainly keep the members in good spirit.

Do you have house- keeping services?

Yes. Pre -determined fixed charges per month for each category of membership shall be charged for this purpose. The management reserves the right to revise this charge from time to time. Laundry charges, if outsourced, for personal cloths are payable at cost.

Can I bring my own domestic help?

No. We will ensure our own trained staff who do all housekeeping work. We also ensure that a pool of trained manpower is made available to you for any personal assistance you may need at an additional cost. Smiles strive for optimal security and superior levels of service.

Can I have my own attendees/ staff nurse?

Staff nurse and trained attendees of Smiles will take care of the seniors dedicatedly. However any member wishes to have any full time attendees or staff nurse such persons will be considered as an attached member and all other terms and conditions prevailing at that point of time for a member shall be applicable to such attached member like deposit, admission fee, lock in period etc. Also if needed may swap his/her membership category which would also increase the monthly running cost as well as other deposits.

Can I bring my furniture / personal effects?

Yes. Each apartment has single/double cots, wardrobes, side tables, writing table, television, mirror, alcove to place your deity, shoe rack, fans and lights. You would practically not need any additional furniture.

Can I use my own car daily to drive around for shopping, visiting friends etc? Is there parking available?

Yes, you can use your car. Open car parking is available within Smiles.

Can I cook myself?

Yes. You can cook vegetarian food with the help of the chef.

Can I arrange a private party?

Yes. The management should be intimated well in advance to make the necessary arrangements. Food, events, photography, video etc. shall be arranged exclusively on cost basis.

Can I subscribe magazine/newspaper of my own choice?

Yes. You can subscribe at your cost.

Can I watch movies of my choice at my domicile?

Yes. DVDs and players can be hired on hourly basis to watch movies. Also there is open theatre where movies can be watched in group.

Can I smoke or consume alcohol within Smiles?

No. Smiles is strictly a no smoking, liquor free zone.

What are the types of travel arrangements made at Smiles?

Administrator will provide facilities like pick-up, drop, ticket booking and arrangement of tours. All the cost towards such facility will be charged to the members account in advance.

Is there a temple nearby?

Yes. A beautiful Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam is located right within the premises of Jayadarsini Township where Smiles is situated. Aaradhana is conducted at the temple daily.

Can a member ask for in house internet service with web camera and air conditioner facility?

Laptop can be hired on hourly basis booked in advance with Smiles administrator.Air conditioner facility can be availed on lease basis.
In case the sharing member is not willing for air conditioner facility, the member shall change his/her membership category from twin sharing to single room and accordingly they shall pay the additional deposit and cost towards such migration

Will there be any bank inside Smiles?

No. Cash handling will be dealt in the cash counter of Smiles at administrator’s office.

Do you provide non-vegetarian food?

No. The Smiles is specially designed for a vegetarian way of life only.

What are the food timings?

Morning Beverage 6:30 am to 7:00 am
Breakfast: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Lunch: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Evening Beverage 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Dinner : 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Explain the floor level walk way facility?

8 feet wide covered walk ways connecting every block with the food court and lift area is provided to facilitate easy mobility. This will give comfort during rainy and summer seasons.

Do you have power back up?

Yes. Generator with sufficient capacity to run all the essential facilities, light equipment in the domicile and common areas is available

How is drinking water supply managed?

Water dispensers will be provided at various joints and every domicile will be provided with water jugs.

How can a member be contacted?

Members can contact other members through intercom. Incoming calls will be attended through front office.

What are the arrangements made for making outgoing calls by a member?

Since everyone is having mobile phone facility such requirement will be remote. However there will be a dedicated phone with Smiles administrator which can be used by members.

Can I have pet animals within Smiles?

No.

Is there specially designed domicile for the disabled?

Yes. Such domiciles will have special designs like even floors, without steps and wide doors. Room services would be done for such members as short listed by the management.

Is there any facility for ritual performance?

Yes. A dedicated reserved space is available within Smiles for performing the rituals based on the need of the respective member on cost basis. The required member should inform the management well in advance about their need and expectation for such performances.

Explain the procedure in case of demise of a member?

The sponsor or the nominated kin of the demised member will be immediately communicated over telephone/email. Based on the recommendation of the panel doctor, the demised member will be kept suitably.
The concerned sponsor or the nominated kin or any authorized representatives should present at Smiles as early as possible.
In case of any delay in reaching Smiles by such sponsor or the nominated kin or any authorized representative beyond the informed time, the management will perform the last rites. All the expenses will be charged with the demised members' account.

Whether Smiles will perform last rites?

Yes. The last rituals will be executed according to custom of the member, panel doctors’ advice, norms of the local civic authority etc. For more details contact the management.

Can I visit the facility?

Yes. You can contact Smiles administrator who will arrange site visit.

What are the facilities, features and services available at Smiles covered /uncovered within the package?

Covered within the package: stay, food, Medical care (in house doctors, staff nurse, attendees, lab and bed ) – Television with cable connection and intercom in each domicile – Domicile service for ailed members – RO plant - Safety lockers – CCTV monitoring- public address system – open and closed auditoriums- open lawn – water body – common lift – kitchen area – floor level walkways – coffee joints – in campus conveyance – library and reading hall – internet facility – yoga and meditation – pyramid meditation – festive celebrations – common washing and drying areas – separate place for ritual performance – arranging for organ donations - common electricity at Smiles – Events and entertainments arranged at Smiles – Shuttle services from Smiles to Medchal.

Charged Extra: Electricity charges for Air conditioners / room heaters – Group medical insurance policy – individual medical claim policies –Professional support for property, income tax banking, legal – Travel desk services – annual stay package for the members relatives –performance of last rites – personal expenses – outside medical expenses including ambulance services - Physio therapy - Nature cure - Guest food and accommodation, Dedicated attender, Ambulance service, Doctor on call, Outgoing phone calls, Nursing care, Medicines, Extra food and beverages, Personal care products.

How is the monthly expenses statement of member communicated?

The monthly expenses of each member will be furnished by the administrator of Smiles before 5th of the subsequent month.

How can a member or sponsor make the monthly payments?

By cash at Smiles cash counter or by cheque / demand draft drawn in favor of Smiles payable at Secunderabad mentioning the name and membership number of the member on the back side of the instrument.

Will there be any revision in the maintenance charges?

Yes. Maintenance charges are revisable every April at a predetermined rate. The management reserves the right to fix the rate.

Do you give any discount for the absent period at Smiles?

Yes. In case a member is absent at Smiles due to his/her family visit, hospitalization or for any reason for a continuous period of more than 10 days, 40% of the monthly charges calculated on 30 days basis for the absent period shall be credited to the members account. However, no such discount shall be given for other cost like joint expenses, fixed housekeeping charges etc. This will also not give any entitlement to avoid deemed short stay charges.

Explain the situation where the refundable deposit money collected from a member is used?

• Unexpected emergencies arising on health and hospital related issues
• Delay in receiving the monthly expenses either from the member or from the sponsor
• Recovering the damages made by the member to the assets of Smiles
• Meeting the last rites and related expenses
• Transferring defaulted member from Smiles to another charitable organization.

How is refundable deposit fixed for a member? Is it same for all?

The deposit is fixed to meet out the unforeseen medical expenses considering the health status of a member. The panel doctors and the appraisal committee will recommend an increased deposit considering the applicant’s present ailment and challenges in order to meet out expenditure during emergency.

Does the deposit vary depending on age?

No. But it is advisable to have extra deposit considering the health issues that may arise due to age factor.

What is lock-in-period for the refundable deposit?

The lock-in-period for the refundable deposit in any case would be 18 months from the date of full payment of refundable deposit or 12 months from the date of occupying Smiles which ever is earlier.

Whether lock-in-period will apply for the refundable deposit in case of death of a member?

No. In case of demise of a member while in pre-membership period or during membership period or post membership period the refundable deposit will be refunded forthwith.

Is there any lock-in-period for the deposit paid towards interim membership?

No. Lock-in-period is not applicable for the deposit paid towards interim membership.

What if a member cancels the membership before joining Smiles? Will you return the refundable deposit and joining fee that was collected during admission?

A member can cancel the membership even before joining Smiles as per his/her will. The lock-in-period for the refundable deposit will end at the expiry of 18 months. (i.e. 12 months for membership and 6 months for minimum period of intimation) from the date of payment. In any case, the joining fee remains non-refundable.

A member first decides to cancel the membership before joining Smiles and intimates the management. There after decides to join Smiles. How will the lock-in-period for the refundable deposit be considered?

The lock-in-period for the refundable deposit in any case would be 18 months from the date of full payment of refundable deposit or 12 months from the date of occupying Smiles whichever is earlier.

A member first decides to cancel the membership after joining Smiles and intimates the management. There after decided to continue with Smiles. Can a member do so? How will the lock-in-period for the refundable deposit be considered?

Yes. The existing member can do so for one time. However if they do so for the second time then they will be considered as a new member and they lose all their existing benefits, facility provided exclusively to such membership. They shall follow all the formalities, which are applicable to a new member, excluding background verification, medical check-up process and admission fee. In case of any additional deposit payable by the member due to the fresh membership, it needs to be paid. The lock-in-period for the refundable deposit would be 12 months from the date of their fresh membership.

Can a member pay additional amount in their account as credit?

Yes. It helps

• To meet the emergency, considering the age and medical problems of the member.
• To meet monthly expenses if the usage is more
• To avoid monthly payment inconvenience.

The amount kept in account can only be used in Smiles and will be refunded immediately on ceasing to be a member.

How can a member get liquid cash if he/she needs it for any reason?

In case of requirement they can get cash from the administrator of Smiles, out of their credit balances.

How will be the outside medical treatment and hospitalization done?

Consultation with referal doctors shall be arranged as advised by the panel doctors. The health problems, treatment expenses, duration of hospitalization, approximate cost of the treatment and other information etc. will be communicated to the member or the spouse. Upon approval and receiving the budgeted cost from the member or sponsor he/she shall be hospitalized (or) if he/she is covered under medical insurance scheme follow up process and approval for the treatment will be obtained from insurance companies before admission. Other developments will be periodically reported to the sponsor or member.

How would be a member affected by communicable disease managed?

Any member identified with such issues either by the panel doctors or at outside hospitals, would be quarantined at hospitals and all the medical expenses towards its treatment shall be borne by the member or the sponsor.
No prior approval is required from the member or the sponsor for such treatment. They shall park the expected cost of the treatment immediately after getting such intimation from the management.
If no amount could be paid he/she shall be given treatment to the extent of the fund available with his/her account. Members are advised to periodically increase their cash balance considering their ailment and health problems etc. for their smooth care.

Do you have clinical lab facility inside Smiles?

Tie-up arrangements are made with testing clinical labs for the initial periods. A clinical lab will be established inside Smiles upon reaching the required level of usage. Periodical checkups like sugar, urea, cholesterol, pressure etc. are carried. A member is entitled for five free checkups in a year.

How is the pharmacy ( medical stores ) planned?

Tie up arrangement with medical stores at Medchal to supply required medicine have been made.

Are there any hospitals near by?

Yes. A private nursing home is situated at Medchal, 3 kms away from Smiles. A Corporate super–specialty Mediciti Hospitals is at 6 kms from Smiles.

What about ambulance services?

Exclusive ambulance services will be carried out by Smiles management. In case of admission in any outside hospitals the cost of such treatment and ambulance related expenses are charged to the members' account.