For Indians, especially the aged ones, the times have changed.
Gone are the days of joint families where grandfathers and grandmothers were the pillars of wisdom.
With urban space and time at a premium, the aged are left to take decisions on their future.
Besides regular care of the ailments that dog the ageing process, there is a need to overcome old-age blues.
A regional survey carried out by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, last year, came out with some startling data. The survey concluded that worldwide, the number of people aged 60 and over will increase to 2 billion by 2050.
Up from the 600 million in 2000. And nearly half of this 2 billion will reside in Asia.
Interestingly, most of the 60-plus group will be healthy (thanks to better medical services) in their early retirement years and will be able to participate in community activities.
Keeping an eye on this trend, there has been a spurt in the construction of retirement villages. Mumbai-based Royal Palms has already cashed in on this social phenomenon by setting the ball rolling.
The company's plans include setting up retirement clusters in Gurgaon (on the outskirts of Delhi), Goregaon in Mumbai and on the Mysore road in Bangalore.
On offer will be studio apartments besides one-,two- and three-bedroom apartments. All for a hefty charge, of course.
Taking care of senior citizens is not just limited to corporations.
Individuals have also pitched in to provide tender loving care. Take the case of Avtar Pennathur, who floated a trust called Har-Mit Trust and converted her house in Delhi to a home for senior citizens. The trust runs her home for senior citizens.
"My aim was to provide a 'home' as opposed to an 'institution.' We strive to provide comprehensive quality care that is at the same time professional as well as compassionate."
Pennathur caters to the growing number of upper middle class people who have the means but nobody to look after them. There are couples whose children have settled abroad.
For folks like these moving to an old age home is the preferred option rather than stay alone. For them loneliness is the worst scourge. In these homes, the ambience is one of shared compassion.
"We encourage our residents to bring a few bric-a-brac from their homes. This helps get over the feeling of 'uprootedness.' We also urge them to take the responsibility to run the home," says Pennathur.
It is not just the civilian society that is set to take care of its senior citizens.
The Air Force Association, set up to look after the welfare of its retired fraternity, has set up a senior citizens' home in Delhi. "We need to provide our retired airmen with a lifestyle that they were used to when they were in service," says Air Commodore S B Ashraf.
The home has two wings -- one for officers and the other for personal bureau officer ranks (PBOR). The home has a library, a small gym, putting green, bar and a billiards room.
"Our main thrust is to keep our residents busy so that they do not feel that they're a burden to society," adds Ashraf.
With healthy food, 24-hour medical care, power and water back up, telephones and indoor recreational facilities -- the services are all there.
Add a dash of companionship and care and what you have is a healthy way to lead a post-retirement life.
Contact details:
- Har-Mit Trust, B37, Greater Kailash I, Delhi - 110048
Phones: 26411375, 55651985
- AFA Senior Citizens' Home, 62-64, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, M B Road, Delhi - 110062
Phones: 26058866, 29958867
The charges
Har-Mit Trust
Endowment (refundable according to duration of stay)
Single room: Rs 5 lakh
Double room: Rs 7 lakh
Suite: Rs 10 lakh
Monthly charges (inclusive of food and services)
Single room: Rs 12,000
Double room: Rs 16,000
Suite: Rs 15,000
AFA Senior Citizens' Home
Registration fee (non-refundable)
Officers: Rs 10,000
PBOR: Rs 6,000
Licence fee (refundable according to duration of stay)
Officers: Rs 2.5 lakh
PBOR: Rs 1.99 lakh
Security and allied charges (refundable)
Officers: Rs 50,000
PBOR: Rs 30,000
Monthly charges: Levied on actual basis.
