Everything One Needs To Learn About the Finest Retirement Homes in India
The idea of “Retirement homes” has acquired popularity lately in India due to the country’s growing senior citizen population, especially in the major cities. According to United Nations Population Division predictions, India’s ageing population will grow substantially. In addition, Seniors’ increasing desire to maintain their independence and their propensity to settle in cities or close to them have opened up possibilities for the construction of new senior housing facilities that can adequately meet changing needs.
1.3 billion people live in India, and it is gradually getting old. The findings demonstrate that only 6 per cent of the population in the 1971 Census was over the age of 60. This figure rose to 8.6% in the 2011 Census as longevity rose, which is currently thought to be about 10%. According to estimates from the Indian Census, the country’s ageing population would make up about 12.5% of the entire populace by 2026 and may reach 19.5% by 2050, which would be about 325 million.
What is a retirement home?
It is a multi-residence housing facility that takes care of the elders, providing them with facilities for meals, health care, recreational activities, gathering, transport, and other facilities. They offer separate and independent homes for a living. They comprise all types of housing for seniors, from independent living apartments to nursing homes, home healthcare and other age-related services.
Retirement homes were traditionally focused on treating sickness and were therefore designed for the uniform delivery of particular services. Either to restore a person to health and complete freedom or to support a death scenario. The quality of life in old age and the provision of various amenities are currently the main priorities in senior housing—services, ranging from hospitality to healthcare.
Types of retirement homes
In India, it is true that there has been a gradual rise in consumer interest in retirement homes, which had previously received little attention. Since many seniors are financially better off than previous generations, the idea of luxury is also being adopted inside various retirement home developments. Senior citizens who choose to stay in retirement homes have a variety of possibilities because India has a diversified income population. Below are a few different kinds of independent senior living facilities.
Independent Living Home:
Independent living houses are an old idea that has been prevalent in Indian society for a long time. Most people set up money throughout their working lives to purchase a plot of land and construct a modest house to settle down after retirement. The rising cost of land is a drawback of this system.
Senior Citizen Communities:
Senior citizen communities have been slowly but surely resulting in replacing the traditional independent living homes. They focus more on encouraging recreational activities and encouraging healthy social life.
Assisted Living Houses:
Seniors require ongoing medical care and assistance as they get older. Assisted living facilities let senior citizens live with a helper, such as a family member, nurse, or other caregivers. These assisted living facilities are a relatively new idea in India, but they are expected to gain popularity soon. Medical support eliminates travel time to hospitals, making such homes beneficial for persons with medical concerns and other impairments. They help in daily activities like moving around, medication, and routines like getting dressed and bathing.
Continued Care Retirement Communities (CCRC):
An alternate residential choice for elderly individuals (often 65 years of age and beyond), a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offers flexible housing alternatives, services, and amenities, as well as 24-hour care to satisfy residents’ health and wellness needs as they age.
Old age homes:
These traditional shelters house the elderly who are legitimately homeless, and they are typically run by nonprofit organisations or the government.
Pros of living in retirement homes
Stress-free moving in
One may be worry-free when you move into a retirement community or home, which is the first and most significant benefit. It itself provides care for each stage of your ageing.
Reduce the deficit on a variety of living expenses
Retirement homes allow you to downsize and live your life on your terms, saving you a lot of money, especially concerning additional costs like a maid, food, and any outside care.
Reduce the time spent on tasks
It helps to save a considerable amount of time by taking care of all living needs, including washing, housekeeping, and cleaning. Essentially, this frees up more time to devote to being productive and pursuing other hobbies.
Access to healthcare services on campus
One’s health and other issues must be periodically check as one ages. Residing in a retirement home, medical services, nurses, and assistance is at your doorstep.
Regular social interaction
Residents have the choice to congregate, mingle, and make new friends in retirement homes with all the necessary amenities. This provides a base for interaction among people of the same age.
How did COVID give rise to an increase in the number of retirement homes?
Amid COVID, when the world was in an alarming situation, it was essential to take care of the old people who were likely to be more affected. Retirement homes were a safer option with a peaceful location and provided meals and medical care from time to time. Retirement homes became a boon for caring for the people whose children lived out of India. Even loneliness would have resulted in depression, so it was vital for them to live in a healthy ambience and in a community where they could share their sorrows with people of the same age as they were.
According to Economictimes, Southern cities of India have emerged at the forefront, taking 70% share of the overall senior living projects(India). Most of the senior living projects in India are geographically concentrated in the southern cities, with Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Kottayam, and Coimbatore leading the tally, followed by the west and north. There are various old age homes in Kochi which succeeded in providing the best facilities during this time, even the retirement homes in Kerala.
Retirement homes and old age homes in Kottayam
If compared, retirement homes are a better option than old age homes in Kottayam. Old age homes in Kottayam provide the same facilities; the only difference is one needs to share the same room. And in today’s era, everyone needs privacy. Retirement homes are thus replacing the old age homes in Kottayam.
The old age homes in Kochi, retirement homes in Kerala and other retirement destinations like Dehradun, Goa, and Pune have seen an increase in the number of people volunteering themselves over time. It relieves the Senior citizen of all the burdens of life and, in fact, makes them happier and helps in a longer life span. It is entirely different from a paid old age home and assures life with dignity and pride.
Conclusion
One needs to be ultra-certain of their choices while finding a retirement home. And if you’re looking for an option of retirement homes in Kerala. Travancore foundation is the pioneer for the same, keeping all the facilities. Its online consumer reviews are excellent, as well as state regulator reports. So, the residents living there. They’re humble and friendly. One won’t feel it’s the first time they visit the place. They provide experienced physicians, dieticians, physiotherapists, social workers, activity specialists and pharmacists. And the infrastructure is even senior friendly as well as well furnished.
According to sources, 565 old-age homes in Kerala currently accommodate 10,500 persons. The government has been generously distributing an amount of Rs 2000 to the inmates in the government old age homes, while inmates in private old age homes receive Rs 1100 from the government.
In Kerala, Ernakulam has many old age homes, out of which 1865 are female, and 1551 males are accommodated. Next, Thrissur tops the list.
