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Are Old Age Homes the Right Choice for the Elderly?

September 16, 2024
Old Age Homes

The traditional family structure in India is undergoing significant shifts, often driven by urbanization, globalization, and the demands of modern life.  
 
As more children pursue careers abroad, the challenge of ensuring proper care for the elderly back home becomes increasingly pressing. This has led to a growing consideration of old age homes as a potential solution.  
 
However, the decision to place a loved one in such a facility is not straightforward—it is a choice laden with emotional, cultural, and practical implications. 

This article, explores the realities of old age homes in India, exploring their current state, the advantages they offer, and the challenges they present.

The Condition of Old Age Homes in India 

As urbanization accelerates and family arrangements change, the number of old age homes has been on the rise. This change reflects society’s attempt to adjust to modern life, where traditional joint families have been replaced by nuclear ones, often spread across continents. 
 
Despite this increase, such institutions remain rare throughout India. This contrasts with western countries where such facilities are integrated into the social fabric. In India, they remain relatively few and elicit mixed feelings among people. 

These facilities offer varying levels of services and standards. Some, usually run by charitable organizations or supported by private funds, provide a variety of amenities, including medical attention, recreational activities, balanced diets, and a semblance of community living. 

Unfortunately, not all old age homes offer similar experiences. Due to financial constraints, many deliver varying degrees of care. In some cases, residents may face overcrowded conditions, inadequate medical attention, and a lack of personalized care, painting a sobering picture of the challenges within the system. 

Current State and Challenges of Old Age Homes 

As of now, about 728 aged care facilities exist in different locations across India, catering to only a fraction of the aging populace. With over 100 million older people in this country, projected to reach 300 million by 2050, this number highlights the limited availability of institutionalized elderly care in India, especially compared to the elaborate setups in western societies. Old age homes only care for a small percentage of those who require them, underscoring their still-nascent state. 
 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Old Age Homes 

Professional Care and Loss of Independence 

One of the major benefits of aged care institutions is that they provide professional care, which is hard to find at home. Medical attention and personal care that are specific to the resident’s health needs are available all the time from trained personnel. This can be comforting for families living abroad who know that their relatives are being well taken care of.  
 
However, this professional assistance often comes with the loss of independence when it comes to personal decisions. For instance, older people may follow certain timetables or rules in such places, which curtail their freedom, thereby making them feel frustrated, especially if they are accustomed to making their own choices. 

Social Interaction and Potential Isolation 

 Another preeminent gain of the old age homes is that they allow for social interaction. In this way, older people can rejuvenate their sense of belonging as they take part in organized events with their contemporaries, which alleviates the isolation experienced by numerous elderly people. Such involvement promotes friendships and emotional support among seniors.  
 
Since not everyone connects easily, some individuals might find mingling difficult. If the organization doesn’t actively promote social engagement, these environments could exacerbate isolation, making some feel even more alone. 

Safety and Security vs. Loss of Liberty

Concern for safety is the most important thing, and usually, old people’s homes provide security through supervision all day around, emergency systems, and safe living conditions. This gives comfort, especially to elderly people living alone who are likely to fall sick or get injured at any time.  
 
But, such safety and security may also encourage people to feel overprotected or monitored, which could mean a loss of liberty. This further enhances their helplessness as well as their sense of being treated like infants.  

Comprehensive Amenities and High Costs 

Some old-age homes are fully stocked with amenities like regular meals, housekeeping, recreational services, and on-site medical care, all of which contribute to making quality lives. They can offer a more pleasant living atmosphere than what one might find at home. 
 
But nevertheless, it is expensive to have them, and that makes them inaccessible to many potential residents. The cost of high-quality care is usually quite prohibitive, and this raises worries, especially among older adults themselves as well as their families, given the likelihood of going into prolonged periods of need for healthcare services and its resulting drain on personal savings. 

Making an Informed Decision 

When considering old age homes, it’s important to make a judgment based on individual situations and requirements. There are two major concerns to keep in mind: first, the limited availability of facilities that may not provide the level of care expected, and second, the societal mindset and the preferences of the elderly themselves, who may not be comfortable with the idea of living in an old age home.

Cultural and Social Perception  

In India, the concept of old age homes is often shrouded in cultural and social stigma. Whereas in western societies, it is seen as a practical solution to take them there, Indians consider this act as abandoning the family responsibility, especially for parents who provided for their children when they were young.   

Consequently, many people grapple with feelings of guilt and shame whenever they make such arrangements for their parents. Some of these homes have been termed dumping grounds where children take their parents and leave them until they die without supporting them.   

Thus, thinking about an old-age home is always associated with pains and sorrows; it creates an emotional struggle associated with the societal stigma that surrounds aging.

AgeWell Care – A Comprehensive In-House Care Solution 

If you’re looking for comprehensive in-house care for your parents, AgeWell Care is the best option. Instead of relocating them to an unfamiliar environment, consider bringing professional care to their doorsteps. 

We have teams of medical experts who provide individualized care tailored to each person’s needs. This might involve assistance with daily activities or special medical attention. AgeWell Care ensures they receive all the attention they need without leaving their homes. Should their condition require hospital treatment, we handle all the arrangements seamlessly. 

With AgeWell Care, you can rest easy knowing your parents receive 24/7 care while maintaining their independence in the place they love most—their own home.

Conclusion

Caring for older adults can be tough; such choices should not be made off the cuff. It is important to think about not just the logistical and financial factors but also what this would mean emotionally.  

The decision must ensure that your parents are safe, respected, and happy, whether they must stay in a senior citizen home that meets their requirements or private in-house nursing service at their respective places. 

For those who prefer personal solutions in caring for the elderly, AgeWell Care has professional services that are designed to keep your loved ones at home while helping them remain independent.  
 
Visit our website today so we can take care of your parents properly.

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