Bodiem is a ward of Tivim, the inland village north-east of Mapusa that most Goans know for its railway station. It is a world away from the busy beach belt of Bardez: fields, laterite houses, the old Church of St Christopher and long, quiet lanes. For families looking at senior living in Bodiem, that calm is the main draw, together with a practical bonus that few Goan villages can offer. Thivim station on the Konkan Railway is close by, so children and grandchildren from Mumbai, Mangaluru or Kerala can arrive by train and reach the home within minutes.
Elkin lists one verified home in Bodiem, a long-running assisted living home with nursing, physiotherapy and memory care support. Our team can take you on a guided visit and compare it with the other Bardez homes in Saligao and Siolim.
St. Thomas Villa, Bodiem
St. Thomas Villa is run by the Carmelites of Trivandrum and is one of the larger homes for the aged in Bardez, taking both men and women. It works as an assisted living home: caregivers help residents with bathing and personal hygiene, keep a daily check on health and respond to emergencies, and the home lists medical care and physiotherapy for residents recovering strength after an illness or a fall.
Memory care support is listed as well, which matters because many families come to St. Thomas Villa when a parent has begun to forget medicines or meals while living alone. Meals are fresh and home-cooked, rooms are furnished, and the house has a garden, Wi-Fi, power backup and wheelchair access. As in most Goan convent homes, the day follows a steady rhythm of prayer, meals, rest and time outdoors.
It suits seniors who need daily help but not hospital-level care, and families who value a settled, faith-based home in a village setting. If your parent's dementia is advanced or they need palliative care, ask the sisters frankly whether the home can manage it, and compare with the care centres around Old Goa. See assisted living homes in Bardez →
Living in Tivim: what helps day to day
- Hospitals. Asilo Hospital, the district hospital in Mapusa, is the nearest government hospital, a short drive south. Goa Medical College at Bambolim takes specialist cases, and private hospitals in Mapusa and Porvorim fill the gap in between.
- Train and air. Thivim station is one of the main Konkan Railway stops for North Goa, and Mopa airport in Pernem is a straightforward drive north, which makes Bodiem one of the easiest homes in Goa for visiting family.
- Market town nearby. Mapusa's busy Friday market, pharmacies, banks and diagnostic labs are all within easy reach for errands and outings.
- Village life. Parish feasts, a local football ground and the remains of Tivim's old fort give residents something familiar to talk about with visitors, and the village is far quieter than the coast.
What senior care in Bodiem costs
Inland Bardez is among the more affordable parts of North Goa. As a rough guide, pay-and-stay places in convent homes in this area cost about ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 a month, assisted living with nursing about ₹30,000 to ₹55,000 a month, and dementia or bedridden care about ₹40,000 to ₹75,000 a month, depending on the room and the help needed. Physiotherapy sessions, medicines and an attendant may be billed on top. Always confirm the current fee with the home. Our guide on how much an old age home costs in India shows how Goa compares with other states.
Old age homes and alternatives near Bodiem
Families often search for an old age home in Tivim or Mapusa and land here. If you want to compare before deciding, two other Bardez villages are a short drive away:
- Senior living in Saligao, south-west towards Calangute, which has three homes in one village, including separate options for men and women.
- Senior living in Siolim, north-west on the Chapora river, with a home that serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
- All senior living homes in Bardez, to compare the whole taluka.
Tell us about your parent's health and budget, and Elkin's advisors will arrange a guided visit to St. Thomas Villa and the nearby homes. Call or WhatsApp +91 95005 10506 (10 AM to 8 PM IST).
