Senior Living Homes and Old-Age Homes are quite different
These days, the senior community also wants to relocate to a neighbourhood that can support them in leading an active lifestyle, living in safety and security, having people their own age nearby to socialise with, leading a hassle-free life with housework taken care of by maintenance staff, and having age-friendly amenities nearby.
As a result of better medical facilities and rising life expectancy, India’s senior population is rapidly expanding. According to studies, by 2050, the population of the nation would consist of around 20% people over the age of 60.
Dispelling Myths About Senior Living Facilities and Old Age Homes
Do you think that the elderly residing in retirement homes for senior citizens is the only thing these two have in common? Because of ignorance, the terms senior living and old-age homes are sometimes used synonymously, which has resulted in inaccurate information about the concept of retirement living for seniors in India.
Our concept for Old Age Homes
Traditional nursing facilities are frequently perceived as depressing, lonely places. Given that we are well aware of their restrictions and the very minimum amenities offered, spending one’s retirement years in these establishments doesn’t sound all that appealing. Old-age homes are the source of the majority of taboos and anxieties surrounding retirement living options.
Thankfully, significant changes are on the horizon, and for that, we are grateful for the introduction of the outstanding idea of senior living homes.
Do we have a good understanding of senior living facilities?
Living in a community is everything that senior living is about. Housing for adults over 55 who are still independent and lead active lives is referred to as senior living. These places provide easy access to social events, practical services, and senior-friendly architectural characteristics. Numerous of these additionally provide all-encompassing healthcare and medical support. Independent living and assisted living are other sub-divisions of senior living. While retirement homes for senior citizens are for people who need varied levels of medical support, such as caretakers and nurses, independent living refers to housing and communities for active seniors who are healthy and independent. One of the main selling points of senior living facilities is independence. They choose their own daily schedule and way of life, not those of others.
They are not subjected to a compulsive schedule or constraint, unlike elderly homes. These communities, also referred to as retirement villages, offer independent living apartments as well as a variety of other amenities like beautifully manicured gardens, community halls, recreational areas, wellness centres, medical facilities, and more. These residential centres are quickly becoming the top choice for senior citizens. Senior retirement houses are a goal that many accomplished builders and health-care enthusiasts are truly working to make a reality. Constant Care Retirement communities are senior living facilities that offer additional medical attention and support to seniors as they age. You could need more in-home services as you age, such as physiotherapy, bathing, medicated clothing, food, grooming, and more.
Senior living communities offer an opportunity for elders to rediscover their intrinsic skills, passions, and pastimes. Seniors have the opportunity to engage in learning and skill development in these communities. Seniors who participate in a variety of social, intellectual, and physical activities lead a full and exciting existence, which benefits their health and wellbeing.
Let’s take a closer look at the main characteristics of both senior living facilities and nursing homes.
1. Facilities
Independent living apartments created specifically for elders make up retirement communities. They’ll offer all the amenities you’d expect to find in a typical residential apartment building, plus more amenities for the benefit of older citizens. Each apartment has a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, a bathroom, a living room, a balcony, a kitchen, and a dining room. You have complete control over your apartment, plenty of room to live independently, and opportunities to socialize and interact with other seniors who live in nearby residential flats with similar amenities.
The majority of apartments in senior living communities, however, have a number of accessibility features, including moderate slopes, anti-skid floors, chamfered wall edges, easy-reach light switches, switches in the rooms, grab rails of the washrooms, etc. However, we are also aware that old age homes only provide the most basic amenities. Seniors can anticipate it to be similar to a retirement home where they can spend their golden years free from household responsibilities. But beyond that, senior living facilities are lacking in scope. You will have access to bedroom quarters, which are typically shared with one or two other seniors, a communal dining area, a visitor’s lounge, and public restrooms.
2. Infrastructure
Retirement homes for senior citizens are built with seniors’ comfort and convenience in mind from the start, and this is evident in the infrastructure. Paid senior living houses in a retirement village typically have open spaces with well-kept lawns, a variety of recreational amenities like gyms, indoor and outdoor activities, shared community halls, and cafeterias in the form of restaurants. Seniors only receive the most basic infrastructure in old age homes. Few seniors have their own rooms or baths; instead, they are usually given a bed and a cabinet to store their clothes and other possessions.
3. Health Care
Senior living facilities have qualified medical professionals who live on site and are able to offer first aid and immediate medical assistance in case of emergency. This is a significant advantage. All retirement communities also have affiliations with prestigious medical facilities where residents can receive regular medical exams and treatments. You can choose to drive yourself to the checkups or ask the staff to pick you up if you prefer.
The majority of senior living facilities also offer additional medical care and assistance as necessary. Seniors who have limited mobility and need extra care can also receive additional in-home services like physiotherapy, bathing, medicated dressing, feeding, and grooming. Senior living facilities sometimes have on-site, qualified medical personnel. Most senior living facilities offer its residents access to medical care at a nearby hospital in the event of illness or an emergency.
4. Food and Nutrition
Restaurant-style meals that are prepared in a retirement home are flavorful, fresh, and catered to your unique dietary needs. You won’t have to worry about meal planning, grocery shopping, or spending hours in the kitchen if you take a break from cooking.
Food is provided in a cafeteria with a mess-like layout in nursing homes. Depending on your dietary requirements, you can select either vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals. In most cases, the resident has no say in the food selection.
5. Welcoming Family and Friends
Since you own your apartment in a retirement homes for senior citizens, you are free to continue entertaining and receiving visitors just like you would at your primary residence. This includes your children, grandchildren, other relatives, and friends. But residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities can only accept friends and relatives during set visiting hours. Additionally, you won’t be able to bring your kids or grandchildren with you.
6. Recreation and Entertainment
The fantastic options to make your inner self happy like never before are all available to you in senior living communities. To help you make the most of your senior years, a variety of events will be offered to you on campus. Senior living homes provide you a variety of leisure pursuits to keep you occupied, including yoga, swimming, gyms and fitness centres, indoor game rooms, and meditation spaces. The nicest thing is that you join a like-minded group of neighbours and friends who become family. Even after retirement, the emotional support network offered by senior communities enables you to live a long, healthy, and happy life. The majority of nursing homes for the elderly only offer regular TV viewing as the only form of relaxation and entertainment for residents.
7. Safety and Security
Senior living communities and old age homes both benefit from safety and security. On-campus security personnel keep an eye on the area and are on hand to support seniors in an emergency. Senior living facilities are watched over by professional employees, and there are CCTV cameras installed at every angle for round-the-clock surveillance. Each apartment in senior living facilities often has an emergency response system. You no longer have to be concerned about your safety and medical treatment in a senior living community thanks to on-call doctors, attentive ambulances, and round-the-clock emergency care.
Make the Best choice
Retirement homes for senior citizens in India today are comparable to those given across the world thanks to their high-end amenities, thorough infrastructure, and skilled personnel that attends to the medical and other needs of senior persons. The years after retirement are something everyone deserves who has worked hard their entire lives. A memorable season two will serve as a fitting compensation for all the difficulties and sacrifices you made throughout those demanding working years.
