The number of old age homes in India is increasing for several reasons: (1) India's elderly population is projected to grow significantly over the next few decades, increasing 270% by 2050; (2) the rise of nuclear families means elderly parents are less likely to live with their children; (3) medical tourism in large cities leaves elderly without family support structures in places not equipped to their needs. As a result, old age homes have become an important option for supporting India's growing elderly population who can no longer rely on family or lack necessary care at home.
The number of old age homes in India is increasing for several reasons: (1) India's elderly population is projected to grow significantly over the next few decades, increasing 270% by 2050; (2) the rise of nuclear families means elderly parents are less likely to live with their children; (3) medical tourism in large cities leaves elderly without family support structures in places not equipped to their needs. As a result, old age homes have become an important option for supporting India's growing elderly population who can no longer rely on family or lack necessary care at home.
The number of old age homes in India is increasing for several reasons: (1) India's elderly population is projected to grow significantly over the next few decades, increasing 270% by 2050; (2) the rise of nuclear families means elderly parents are less likely to live with their children; (3) medical tourism in large cities leaves elderly without family support structures in places not equipped to their needs. As a result, old age homes have become an important option for supporting India's growing elderly population who can no longer rely on family or lack necessary care at home.
The number of old age homes in India is increasing for several reasons: (1) India's elderly population is projected to grow significantly over the next few decades, increasing 270% by 2050; (2) the rise of nuclear families means elderly parents are less likely to live with their children; (3) medical tourism in large cities leaves elderly without family support structures in places not equipped to their needs. As a result, old age homes have become an important option for supporting India's growing elderly population who can no longer rely on family or lack necessary care at home.
According to a 2017 study by the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA), India's senior citizen population will grow from 8% in 2015 to 19% in 2050. The elderly population in the country will have increased by 270 percent. According to the study, today's young India will become a fast-ageing society in the next decades. Another trend in the country is the rise of old age homes, which coincides with the country's expanding elderly population. The number of old age homes was approximately 500 in 2016, but thanks to the idea of nuclear families and a range of other factors, the number has already increased to 728. Only 325 of them are free, while 95 of them being pay-and-stay. If the existing scenario is taken into account, the number of these residences in India could expand by 25% per year. The average cost of living in a paid old-age home is roughly Rs. 50000 per year, but it can reach Rs. 15 lakhs. "I couldn't afford to live in an old age home if it hadn't been for the generosity of the place where I now live. My children abandoned me because they couldn't afford my medications," reveals a resident of Mother Teressa Old Age Home in Hazratganj, Lucknow. Elders have had a lot in their lives and need to relax during their retirement years after shouldering the obligations of raising children, managing domestic duties, caring for grandchildren, and supervising maids and household help. They need to sit back and enjoy the rest of the years. In such circumstances, individuals are required to live in assisted living facilities. Most people choose to live in another country while their parents remain in India. Elderly parents may not always be able to migrate and re-settle in another country, where they will undoubtedly experience a language issue and cultural differences. NRI children frequently face a choice between leaving their parents alone in India and pursuing their dreams in other countries. Elders frequently go to distant cities for medical treatment. People come from all across the country to seek top-notch medical care in Delhi, for example. Elders who travel for medical reasons are forced to stay in hotels, where they confront a variety of obstacles, including the lack of elder-friendly toilet fixtures, wheelchair-friendly facilities, meal restrictions, and more. Overall, people accompanying the elderly are unable to give all types of care that they require due to the lack of these facilities. Elders with serious illnesses, geriatric problems, or those who have had surgery are especially affected by this situation. Another important factor is the elders' safety and security while they are alone at home. The safety of elders is critical, especially in the current climate, where crimes against elders are on the rise. Living alone puts you in a vulnerable position. The elderly requires proper security measures, such as a visitor screening system, confirmed and trustworthy maids, drivers, and concierge. For the possibility of theft and trespassing, they should have 24/7 CCTV surveillance around their home and premises. When our children leave for job or school, our seniors are forced to stay at home, often alone and with only domestic help. They are more prone to depression and social isolation when they are alone. In such circumstances, they are more likely to neglect self-care, skip meals and medications, ignore illnesses, and become anxious about managing the household. If an elderly person falls, cuts, or burns themselves, they have no one to contact for medical help. Elders at luxurious old age homes are spared from such annoyances. Hill-station pilgrimages are considered auspicious. However, many times, children conveniently ditch their ailing parents on sidewalks with no cash to afford even a meal under this pretext. In recent years, an increasing number of senior citizens from the Indian middle class have sought shelter in old age homes. Some of them are in considerably worse circumstances. They are taken away from their family and placed in nursing facilities. As a result, old age homes have become an integral element of our social structure. Many older people may be afraid of old age homes because of a long-held prejudice. When seniors hear the term "old age home," they think about loneliness, abandonment, alienation from their family, and limited care and safety. In India, old age homes have become a shelter for the crippled and needy over the previous few decades. Finding dignity and independence would be challenging, as many old age homes do not provide adequate or the kind of care that elders require. In India, however, a large number of old age homes have sprung up all over the country. At the same hand, retirement can be a time for establishing new friends, exploring new hobbies, learning new ways to serve, and spending more time in God's presence. It can be joyful or depressing, depending on the person's faith and grace. People who ignore their elderly parents and grandparents should reflect on the moral ideals they instilled in us and strive to be polite and affectionate to them. If they are unable to meet their requests, they should at the very least communicate with them courteously. As a result, it's preferable to start saving now for old age, because we never know how our children and grandchildren will treat us. Help the elderly who are in severe need of assistance. Donate to old age facilities to alleviate starvation and homelessness among the elderly. Support an old age home to ensure that these senior individuals are cared for in their later years. People with a generous heart can donate to aid the old age homes with daily necessities and ongoing medical care. You can also donate items such as cots, mattresses, cutlery, fans, chairs, tables, meals, wheelchairs and so on. They also seek cash to construct a larger old age home to meet the growing number of elderly residents.