The concept of homes for the elderly, retirement homes and nursing homes are widely accepted in the west. However, in India, the concept of old age homes is still largely frowned upon. Most old people expect, and rightly so, to be cared for by their children. The thought of moving to an old age home is often the last resort. This decision is either forced upon them or taken under a lot of emotional duress.
Most old age homes in India tell a sordid tale. They are home to elderly who are shunned and deserted by their families. Most of these homes house poor people who cannot pay for boarding and lodging. The old age homes like these are run by charitable trusts and the living conditions are minimally comfortable. So they are not an ideal home to anyone. Perhaps that is the reason most elderly detest being pushed into one.
All old age homes are not this sordid though. As more and younger people work away from their homes, and lead hectic lives, a lot of old people plan their retirement and move to community homes where they can experience a comfortable living. These old age homes are modern and expensive, and can only be afforded by a few. Yet, some children do decide to bear the expenses of their parents’ old age homes so that they can pass their time comfortably.
Old age homes do offer security and comfort for the elderly. No one is going to throw them out from these homes. They find company and make friends with people who have had similar circumstances in their lives. A lot of old age homes also keep having a lot of interesting activities so that the old people can be involved in those too. They have family days when the residents can meet their families and the families of their friends. They also have a lot of fun activities, games and dances to make sure that the vigor and the cheer remains among the residents.
Sometimes volunteers come to visit and spend some time with the residents. An old person can find a play mate for a game of chess. They can even find someone to talk about politics, sports or just the good old days. Volunteers have a very important role to play in the well-being of these elderly residents. It becomes a symbiotic relationship where the elderly enjoy sharing their wisdom and stories with the young ones and the young ones enjoy learning from them.
All in all, old age homes, though often portrayed in a negative light, may become the life line for many elderly people. A lot of people find a new reason to live when they are amidst those who have gone through similar circumstances and have wrangled their way out positively. The residents live free lives in these homes and may feel embittered or neglected by their children, but they always know that they have someone who will always be ready to listen to them and offer them a shoulder for support.
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