Institutionalised living, gloomy living environment, and constant monitoring by nurses and doctors – this is the picture that one paints whenever anyone utters ‘senior living’ in India. This dated thinking can be largely attributed to poor experiences in the past with less-than-ideal communities which offer age-related support to senior citizens.
However, times have changed, and today, senior living focuses greatly on providing an ideal lifestyle filled with fun, opportunities, novel experiences, and holistic well-being. The truth is that with the changing lifestyle patterns, senior citizen homes present the best environment to live a retired life in a fun, regret-free, and independent manner.
In this post, Ankur Gupta, Joint Managing Director of Ashiana Housing, debunks the three most common myths about senior living in India.
Myth 1: Seniors have to stay with their children for well-being and emotional support
One of the most popular myths prevailing in our society is that senior citizen homes are meant for those whose children refuse to support them in their golden age. The Indian heritage puts a lot of focus on the parents-children relationship, and the bond entails love, a sense of belonging and care throughout the lifespan. However, changes in the modern-age lifestyle often pose a hindrance for children to spend quality time with their ageing parents as they were able to a few years ago.
In such a scenario, being part of a like-minded community makes senior citizens feel independent, happy, and cared for at all times.
Senior living projects are also equipped with well trained and knowledgeable staff to handle any urgent health problems. Additionally, the projects have a well-entrenched network with nearby hospitals and medical institutions to handle emergencies.
Myth 2: Senior living is a matter of compulsion and not a choice
This is another common myth and very myopic view which exists in our society. With their children leading a hectic professional life or school-going grandchildren, the senior citizens have to spend most of the day by themselves. With little activity to keep themselves busy, such a scenario often evokes a thought of making adjustment or compromise by moving into senior living communities or old-age homes, where life would be boring, depressed, and lonely.
While old-age homes offer a meaningful living solution for those with limited means or family support, the senior living communities can be equally fun, if not more than living with family. With a focus on active lifestyle and overall well-being of senior cohort, trained staff in the senior living community regularly organise interactive and recreational activities for residents to explore their interests and keep themselves actively busy.
Such activities range from dance class, yoga workout, karaoke or singing sessions, painting workshops, or indoor sports competition. Being surrounded by compatible, similar-aged individuals, the residents of senior living communities lead an active and independent life.
The days are not far when senior citizens will proactively choose senior living communities as part of their retirement planning.
Myth 3: Senior living homes are out of budget
This is another major misconception in the system. While this may hold true for senior living communities in a premium or exotic locations, it is not particularly the norm everywhere. The senior living community is a new growth area for the real estate industry. With the presence of many national and local developers, one can easily find a lot of budget-friendly options available.
Cost of the project will typically depend on the area, the kind of facilities one wishes to opt for and the builder. Hence, lack of affordable senior living projects is passé and not really a problem presently.
As per industry estimates, the size of the elderly population is fast growing in India. In 2001, it constituted 7.4% of the total population and will grow into 12.6% by 2025. For some people, “retirement” is synonymous with “old” but “old” should not be confused with “Senior Living”.
In fact, senior living communities can be equated with ‘independent living’ which empowers people to start an exciting chapter in life – full of new experiences, new friendships, and new interests.
(The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of RoofandFloor)
