With age, people’s physical, psychological and social needs change. They often require continuous support, which families find difficult to provide without professional assistance. Moreover, constant care and attention usually become difficult in a fast-paced world. Most people live in nuclear families, the young members spend most of their time outside their homes, often away from their hometown, to earn a living, and the elders are left to live alone.
In India, the situation has become more prevalent in recent times. More than 15 million elderly residents live alone. Hence, the importance of old age homes cannot be underestimated. These elderly care facilities offer a safe and supportive hub for seniors. Apart from constant medical attention, senior citizens find a purpose in living, have companions and lead their lives with dignity. This blog will explore the importance of old age homes, the right time to consider them and how these institutions can transform their lives and their families.
Why Old Age Homes Matter?
In the past 3 decades or more, India has seen a huge shift in the family structure. Traditional joint families hardly exist, and nuclear families are pretty common. Many elderly individuals find difficulty in arranging for their daily support. It makes them feel neglected and isolated from society. The importance of old age homes lies in their capacity to provide the following facilities:
- Emotional Support: Residents don’t feel lonely as they continuously interact with peers and staff members of the institution.
- Medical Care: Periodic medical checkups by specialists and on-time access to medical care in case of emergency help avoid health hazards.
- Structured Routine: Leading a scheduled life keeps them fit and promotes good mental health.
- Relief for Caregivers: Families and caregivers live in peace knowing that their loved ones are in safe hands.
We create an atmosphere in our Olive Elder Care old age homes that feels like home. Here, our caregivers make the residents feel valued and cared for.
When to Consider an Old Age Home
The thought of shifting a dear one from their residence to an old age home permanently or for a short duration of time can be challenging and emotionally overwhelming for any family member. However, certain signs indicate it is the right time to make the shift:
- Declining Physical Health: Elderly individuals frequently fall and put their lives at risk, suffer from short-term or long-term forgetfulness or fail to maintain personal hygiene. It suggests that they may need support.
- Chronic Illnesses: The senior family members suffer from chronic and critical medical illnesses like dementia, Alzheimer’s, or need continuous glucose monitoring and administering intravenous medications, shifting them to an institution that can provide comprehensive care is ideal.
- Social Isolation: Seniors who spend most of their time alone and are on the verge of developing psychological conditions like anxiety disorders or depression may feel better in an institution where they get company and do not feel left out.
- Caregiver Burnout: Elderly citizens who are leading their lives in a vegetative state can find it difficult to be cared for by family members. They can get complete care if shifted to an institution that offers professional and compassionate care.
- Safety Concerns: Sometimes, seniors live alone in societies where robbery and dacoity are quite common, or they have to climb a long flight of stairs even to get the necessities. Living in old-age homes can save them from physical hazards and maintain their safety.
Recognising these signs early can ensure timely intervention and a better quality of life for seniors.
Benefits of Old Age Homes
Old age homes provide holistic care personalised to the needs and preferences of their residents. The importance of old age homes is clear in the myriad of benefits they offer:
1. Professional Healthcare Support
People in their advanced age have a 75% chance of suffering from chronic illnesses. Old age homes have doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists in their houses to respond to any emergencies. They offer continuous health checkups and manage medications.
2. Emotional Well-Being
Most elderly people on this earth are lonely and tend to lead a secluded life that brings on psychological issues. They may be a widow or widower and children living away from home. Living in the shared spaces of old age homes helps them build friendships and find companions. They get to participate in group activities like music, gardening, board games or storytelling. Additionally, most institutions offer counselling support for good psychological health and management of grief.
3. Safety and Security
Elders living in homes built decades ago can have safety and security issues. Non-slip floors, ramps and other safety features are hard to install in these structures. If elders live alone in their house, it is best to shift to an old age home that already has these features preinstalled in their structures. Additionally, most old age homes provide 24×7 supervision and have secure entry and exit points that keep them safe from miscreants and criminals.
4. Personalised Care Plans
Many seniors become immobile, partially or completely. Minimal self-care activities like bathing, dressing and mobility become impossible for them. Often, they lose memory and fail to identify even their family members. Living in old age homes that specialise in complete dementia and palliative care helps in the rehabilitation of the residents. The trained and experienced specialist caregivers help maintain their personal hygiene and provide support to keep their memory strong, often bringing back their lost memory through various research-backed techniques.
5. Family Peace of Mind
Children who live away from their parents constantly fear for the safety and well-being of their parents and loved ones. Most older adults are not tech-savvy, so getting clear and regular updates about their health and comfort becomes difficult. Old age homes have transparent policies. Families get the peace of mind of the kind of care and facilities their loved ones get while staying in these centres. It reduces their worry about their loved one’s physical and mental health, care and safety. Additionally, they can visit them in the warm and welcoming spaces of these elderly care institutions and connect with them through electronic media for regular updates.
At Olive Elder Care, our team ensures seniors live with dignity, purpose, and joy. This personalised, respectful care highlights the true importance of old age homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of old age homes?
Old age homes help maintain a senior’s physical and mental health through structured routines and regular medical checkups. They offer companionship, maintain safety and encourage wellness and independence. At Olive Elder Care, residents get all these benefits in a hygienic, calm, homely and secure environment.
What is the main positive point of an old age home?
Most senior adults live a lonely and secluded life. The primary benefit of living in an old-age care facility is companionship. They can build meaningful relationships with their peers while receiving the required care.
What is the significance of old age?
Old age is the golden period of one’s life. It is time to relax, reflect on old memories and lead a comfortable life with dignity. The older adults deserve attention, care and comfort for their well-being. At Olive Eldercare, we believe in celebrating this life stage with respect.
What are the needs of an old-age home?
Old age homes like Olive Elder Care offer various facilities that make the last few decades of a senior adult’s life better and more meaningful. These institutions have trained and empathetic staff to look after personal and environmental hygiene, food, and medical facilities, psychological upliftment, and help in engaging in recreational activities for daily engagement.
Why Choose Olive Eldercare for Geriatric Counselling and Elder Care
At Olive Elder Care, our attention to the seniors does not stop at facilities typically provided at a traditional old-age home. We go beyond and offer tailored geriatric care and counselling that make the elders feel at home. We recognise the importance of old-age homes and how they become a lifeline to both the seniors and the families living far away from them.
1. Comprehensive Services
- Geriatric counselling: Personalised to the psychological and emotional well-being of the seniors.
- Trained nursing care: To cure chronic illnesses and help in quick post-surgery recovery.
- Supportive therapies: Including physiotherapy, dementia, and palliative care for seniors who have mobility issues or require memory care.
2. A Safe, Homely Environment
- Senior citizen-proof surroundings: A completely senior-age-proof facility with age-friendly facilities and safety features.
- Calm and homely environment: A calm and peaceful environment that promotes emotional wellness and community living.
3. Compassionate and Trained Professionals
- Trained staff: Caregivers trained in elder psychology and therapeutic care.
- Professional medical support: Continuous emotional and medical support from compassionate staff to build trust and security.
4. Flexible Care Options
- Variety of care facilities: Old-age home facilities are available for short-term, long-term, and daycare.
- Personalised care plans: Customised care plans are available to suit the needs of every resident.
Recognising the importance of old age homes is about paying respect to the emotional and physical needs of your loved ones.
Find support for geriatric counselling and elderly care facilities at Olive Eldercare and explore a better life for your loved ones.
