shobha gawande, a former teacher from mumbai, moved here after her husband died, rather than rely ons. she's 74 years old. >> i was growing old and i realized it's difficult to take care of elderly people. i heard someone once say that old people are like a dustbin. i didn't want to become a dustbin in someone else's home i didn't want to be a burden. >> gawande has to adhere to a strict routine here. the day begins with group prayers. it's followed by a common breakfast with all the residents, the majority of them are women. on the menu today is a local rice dish with spices. she also has to share a room with six other women. >> i've learned to adapt. when i came here and had to share a room with several women, i made up my mind that i would get along with them. many of them don't read the newspapers, so i share with them daily news that i find important. >> gawande has pared down her belongings to the bare necessities. but, she does have some old photos from her past life in mumbai. this is bobby. he was like our child. we didn't have children, we took care of him like our own. >>