Old age homes are getting better organised. Far removed from homes for the destitute at one extreme, there are now 'post-retirement homes' which address almost every need of a senior resident.
Imagine a fully furnished old age home with television, refrigerator, microwave oven.
One reason for the mushrooming post-retirement homes in the country is the rising affluence levels of Indians.
The underlying spirit of such post-retirement communities is simple and uncomplicated: "I have had an active professional life and now it's time to relax and take life a bit easier."
Post-retirement life need not necessarily be unproductive. Life in a post-retirement home could well leave one with enough time to pursue the 'other passion' of your life' -- for which there was no time earlier.
For the sake of peace and serenity, most post-retirement colonies are developed in the suburbs. Cheaper land cost is another reason for having these communities outside cities.
According to Krishna Mohan, executive director, Oglivy & Mather (which markets Wellness Commune near Chennai), the qualities expected of preferred post-retirement communities have undergone a sea change.
A research conducted to find out what the prospective residents expect from such communities has brought out several interesting points.
The prospective residents do not have a problem living in the suburbs. However, they do not want to stay too far from the city where they had an active life.
They still prefer to be within the reach of friends and relatives. A good number of respondents preferred to own the property and not take it on rent. Obviously, owning the property provides a great amount of financial security.
Retired people prefer to live with like-minded people. Retirement communities that have their own clubs such as a book club or a movie club would add good value to the services offered.
Moreover, a conventional flat system will not work for post-retirement communities. Senior citizens prefer independent cottages.
A good number of these residents are likely to have their kith and kin living abroad. A good communication centre that provides access to the Internet is therefore essential.
Security, both electronic and manual, is also a necessity in post-retirement residential communities. Medical facilities come with more than the bare-essentials.
Well-equipped medical units with in-house doctors and nurses are also preferred. An ambulance in the waiting is almost taken for granted.
A well-equipped medical centre is again a key component of post-retirement homes. A resident doctor and nurses can be expected as basic requirement. Ambulance services to handle medical emergencies and proximity to a good hospital is also provided for.
One such post-retirement home, Classic Kudumbam, at Sholinganallur, in the outskirts of Chennai, offers premium homes with an upfront refundable deposit of Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million). The monthly bill per person is Rs 4,000.
The residents pay for their food and other expenses separately. Those preferring to exit from the proposition can do so and the deposit will be refunded with a 20 per cent deduction.
Classic offers 'studio apartments' fitted with AC, CTV, refrigerator and microwave oven. The washrooms are designed for senior citizens with non-slippery tiles. Common resources include library, banquet halls, amphi-theaters, beauty parlors and a licensed bar.
Classic Kudumbam has been certified by the US Illinois Senior Hospitality Institute as a retirement resort and recognised for its dedication to providing 'The World's Finest Active Retirement Living - 2003-04.'
A post-retirement home, Wellness Communes, is also coming up near Chennai which will offer similar facilities and makes an outright sale of the dwellings.
The cost of a single bedroom home is Rs 6.75 lakh (Rs 675,000) and that of a double bedroom home is Rs 8.75 lakh (Rs 875,000).
Each of the homes is developed as an independent cottage and most prospective users prefer to live on the ground floor.
Wellness would charge Rs 1,100 a month towards basic maintenance and security charges. The food, power and communication cost would be separate.
Both these homes have a committee that screens applicants. Such a filter is done to ensure that only like-minded people live together.
Only people above the age of 50 are taken in to stay with Wellness Communes. Though the property can be transferred to the kith and kin, they will not be able to stay unless they are themselves 50. However, kith and kin are allowed to stay for a maximum of one month along with the owners.
Addresses:
Classic Kudumbam, Classic Farm Road, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Sholinganallur, Chennai 600 019.
Phone: 044- 24502244, Mobile: 98400 15677.
Wellness Communes Pvt Ltd, Old No. 4A, New no. 9, 6th Street, Gopalapuram, Chennai 600 086.
Phone: 044-52106484, 52106485.