Globally Residential Care for the ageing population is straining the finances of state sponsored Elderly Care, due to which many countries are re-evaluating the service delivery models to care for the elders.
From the brick and mortar model of Residential Care many countries have started promoting “Ageing in Place”.
The idea behind this shift of strategy is to reduce the burden of payout by the exchequer for government funded Congregate living.
Scarcity of care staff, real estate and high cost of manpower is affecting the sustainability of Senior Living sector in many socially developed countries.
While the international senior living models are broadly divided into three verticals, Independent Living, Assisted Living and Nursing Care, however in India in my opinion there is nothing called Independent Living.
India has seen exponential growth of group housing / condominium living projects over the past 2 decades, and is still growing by leaps and bounds.
As these houses gets old and the residents get older, is it advisable to leave the house for a new nest especially at such late stage of life?
Is it easy or advisable to leave one’s neighborhood, friends and own house just for health, caregiving, social interaction and food and dinning support?
Why can’t these housing societies develop a care model where seniors can continue living in their own homes yet have the assurance of professional care?
Most upmarket group housing projects have a club house and offer a range of services and facilities, some have in-house dining facilities also, in such setups should the elders move out just because of the lack of grab bars or limited movement of wheelchairs?
Though many senior living projects in India have changed gears and are setting up senior specific towers in integrated projects, but then the larger question still remains, why should one shift out of one’s own house if the same services can be received at home.
I guess it’s time for the society at large to think of realistic and practical solutions to keep our elders safe, secure, healthy and happy.
Today’s cost of assisted living and high dependency care is anywhere in the range of 75 thousand to 1.5 lakhs and home care services of caregivers and nurses are between 40 thousand to 1 lakh, I really wonder how many of us will be able to afford these services in the next decade?
In my opinion, living in one’s own house, sharing caregiving services, drivers, domestic help, visiting nurse, visiting doctor, social engagement within the community will be the most affordable way in the future.
Pankaj Mehrotra