Based on my talks with residents of many senior citizen homes and also my own experience of staying in one of them for the last 20 months, I would like to make the following observations for the benefit of those who are planning to move into Senior Citizen Homes (SCHs).
Judging
by the good times that many of the residents are having,
I would say it is an option worth considering by people who have reached the
end of their useful lives and who are financially independent, to spend their
twilight years in peace and contentment
It is no more a
stigma on the children if their parents voluntarily choose to stay in senior
citizen homes which provide them the necessary security, independence, comfort
and the company of new friends with similar backgrounds. With the joint family
system vanishing, replaced by nuclear families with space and other
constraints, children also can look at well run SCHs to keep their
parents happy. SCHs are a big boon for children who are settled abroad and
constantly worry about the safety and security of their parents living
alone in cities.
Once they have
decided to move to a Senior Citizen Home (SCH) they should visit a
few SCHs and try to stay in their guest houses for a few days or even rent out a flat for a short period,to
get a feel of the place. They also must talk to some residents to find out what
they think of the facilities on offer and their satisfaction level before they
make up their mind. It might be a good idea to retain one`s own home for some
time and sell it only when one is fully satisfied with the SCH.
Many new SCHs
offer five-star facilities and are expensive. It is important to choose a
facility which satisfies one`s basic needs and is available at a reasonable
cost. One`s choice of food & the city where one wants to settle down can
also be determining factors in selecting the Home.
Most of the homes keep
increasing their maintenance charges and meal charges from time to time because
of escalating costs. Residents must be prepared to face this contingency. For
those with fixed incomes, such Homes are not recommended.
Food is a
major issue in the SCHs. One has to be mentally prepared to adjust one`s tastes
to the menu on offer. Coimbatore, the most popular city for SCHs, where most of
them offer only vegetarian meals and that too the South Indian variety. Though
North Indian dishes may be offered on some days, do not expect them to be of
the same quality that one is used to.
Availability of in-house
medical facilities is also important. Though every Home promises such a
facility check out if they if they are capable of providing immediate response
from staff on duty offering First Aid and in case of an
emergency, transport the affected residents to the nearby hospital in their own
Ambulances.
Better to go for
Homes offered by well-known groups. They have the resources and commitment to
run the facilities efficiently because their reputation is at stake. Homes
started by individuals or private parties are generally not reliable.
If you have
children living in other cities, go for a two-bedroom facility so that there is
a place for them to stay whenever they visit you. For those who can afford they
can consider spacious Villas which many Homes offer
Many Senior
Citizen Homes help get full-time or part-time attenders for those who have
mobility problems or those who are bedridden recuperating from a surgery, at an
extra cost. There are Hospices like `Atulya Senior Care` , with branchess in many cities, that take complete
care of bedridden residents needing constant medical and other attention.
Atulya is expensive. However, it is an ideal solution which can be considered
by working couples who have old and infirm parents who need constant help and
attention.
If one wants to
enjoy one`s stay in SCHs, it is important to be friendly with other residents.
Remember that more than one`s own children it is the friends who make one`s
life interesting in old age. Besides, if one is friendly with the able-bodied
residents in the facility, they become one`s support group and caregivers in
case of emergencies until the family members come and take over.
I would like
to conclude this article by quoting the words of a resident of a SCH,
”The two essential needs of every individual
apart from roti, kapda and makhan are freedom and friendship.
Both these crucial requirements for healthy and happy living are assured in the
life of elders in Senior Citizen Homes”
