Many decades ago, the concept of retirement homes was unheard of in India. But as society has evolved what once seemed a far-fetched possibility has now become a reality. As India opened up its economy, many Indians flocked abroad, building flourishing careers and homes. The Empty Nest syndrome that was once restricted only to the Western world became a word all too familiar for Indian parents. Joint families are no longer the norm. It’s inevitable then that retirement homes are slowly becoming accepted.
Social conditioning meant that retirement homes used to be considered as orphanages for senior citizens who did not have anyone to care for them. Retirement homes equalled badly maintained homes with poor living conditions. But thankfully, the social stigma around old age homes has changed and so have the accommodations, and they are no longer a row of rooms with shared bathrooms in dank and filthy places. No. Not at all.
Retirement homes become more common in South India
There are more retirement homes in South India as cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have made turned the concept of retirement homes into holiday homes where senior citizens live in well-furnished homes within the security of a gated community with people of their age group.
India had around 100 million senior citizens, in data available from 2012. Senior citizens are expected to constitute around 20% of India’s population by 2020.
Better equipped facilities
Typically, retirement homes used to be maintained by charitable organisations whose interests lay in ensuring that the most basic needs of seniors were met. But the new age retirement homes that you see coming up in South India are designed for senior citizens seeking an active life.
The concept of assisted living has taken on new dimensions here with small colonies being set up, especially for aged couples with parks, medical facilities, and food delivery services to help them live independent lives after retirement. Communities meant for senior living have better-equipped facilities in like emergency buttons, one touch intercoms, and staff trained in managing healthcare emergencies.
Assisted living
Besides the safety and medical facilities offered, the tension-free lifestyle of “assisted living” provides seniors with peace of mind. What was a relatively new concept 25 years ago in the West is now widely accepted there.
Now, assisted living communities are coming up in India as well designed for those who need more day-to-day assistance – the benefits of retired life without any of the hassles of daily chores. Search around, and you will see a slew of new projects for luxury retirement homes.
With the concept of a joint family slowly dying in India, retirement homes are providing the aged with something that they deserve – a life of comfort and community.
This article was originally published on www.thehindu.com dated August 16,2017
