With the evolving family structure, more than 11% of the total senior citizens in India live alone, and the number is expected to increase to 19% by 2050. Hence, the need for elderly care solutions has become more effective than ever. Families living far away from the seniors for work or other purposes look for the right environment where the elders feel safe, are cared for and live with dignity.
Thankfully, India now has more than 20,000 living quarters for the elderly. Most of them offer services tailored to the unique needs of each resident. In this blog, we will discuss different types of old age homes in India and help you choose the right one for your loved ones.
Major Types of Old Age Homes in India
In India, you get a variety of choices for elderly residential purposes. Making an informed and confident decision will become easy if you are aware of the different types of old age homes in the nation.
1. Free or Charitable Old Age Homes
Typically run by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), religious groups and various trusts, these types of old age home in India offer basic facilities. It includes food, shelter and medical assistance. These organisations don’t charge any money for providing these services. Charitable old age homes are ideal for elderly citizens who have no family members or have limited financial resources, since specialised care is rarely available in these facilities, and there are no personal spaces. You may find these elderly care facilities in the urban regions but don’t expect any modern facilities from them. If you are looking for an institution that offers personalised and advanced medical facilities, it is best to steer away from them.
2. Paid Old Age Homes
Among all types of old age home in India, paid old age homes are the most common. They are owned by private institutions and offer a variety of services for which they take monthly or yearly charges. It includes a comfortable and private living space, personalised nutritious meals throughout the day, access to various recreational activities and comes with excellent healthcare facilities. Elders lead a routine life in a hygienic environment and have their own private spaces. Olive Elder Care offers this type of elderly care facility in our country. Here, residents get compassionate and continuous care from experienced caregivers.
3. Luxury Old Age Homes
Old age homes of this category offer premium facilities for upscale living. Here, residents get personal rooms and apartments, 24×7 medical care facilities from the best medical providers in the city, gourmet meals made as per personal preferences throughout the day, round-the-clock access to the library, spa, gymnasium, and can engage in various wellness programs. These are best suited for independent or partially dependent individuals for whom spending money has no bar and who want to lead a high-quality life in their own way.
4. Assisted Living Facilities
These types of old age home in India are mainly suited for the partially dependent or completely dependent senior citizens. Senior citizen who needs assistance even to perform the basic daily tasks, but 24×7 medical care is not a necessity for them, will enjoy living in these facilities the most. The best part of assisted living facilities is getting round-the-clock care from trained caregivers who help in the grooming and mobility of the seniors and offer meals that meet their requirements. If you live in these facilities, you can enjoy the social activities that these centres conduct daily and get support while retaining a level of independence.
5. Nursing Homes or Geriatric Care Centres
If you are looking for the types of old age home in India that are best for seniors with chronic illness or require special facilities for recovery, go for a reliable geriatric care centre. This type of elderly care institution offers nursing care throughout the day, every day. It includes regulated medication and therapy, emergency support and continuous health checkups. Olive Elder Care has geriatric care centres spread across the nation. Here, trained and experienced caregivers offered tailored treatment facilities and psychological support to help the elderly residents recover from their illness quickly and completely and lead healthy lives.
6. Memory Care Homes
The needs of seniors suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s or cognitive issues are different from any other aged individual. Memory Care Homes are built specifically for these types of senior citizens. They focus on maintaining the dignity of the residents while offering maximum safety. Here, in a secure environment, the elderly residents get regular cognitive therapies. These institutions engage the seniors in various forms of memory-improving activities. They have dedicated memory experts trained in caring for people with neurological issues who look after senior citizens.
7. Palliative and Hospice Care Homes
Palliative Care Homes serve seniors who are at the final stage of their lives. The primary aim of this type of old age home in India is to provide comfort, care for their psychological needs and relief from continuous pain to the senior citizen. These exclusive features include a comforting environment for end-of-life care, comprehensive services that meet the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the patient and counselling and bereavement support for families. If you are in search of an institution that offers peace and respect to your loved ones in their final stage of life, Palliative and hospice care homes can be the best choice for you.
Each of these types of old age home in India serves a unique purpose. Knowing what each offers can help families make the right decision.
How to Choose the Best Old Age Home?
Before you choose an old-age home, ponder over your expectations and then consider these key factors:
- Level of Care Needed: Examine if they provide support for independent living, assisted living or provide facilities for citizens who require complete medical care.
- Location: Calculate how far the facility is from your living space. Can you visit your loved ones regularly?
- Facilities and Cleanliness: Visit the old age home a few times and look for online reviews to be sure of the safety, hygiene, and maintenance of the living spaces and the surrounding areas.
- Staff Qualifications: Validate the academic and professional training and experience of the medical and auxiliary caregivers. Go for an institution that has trained and experienced caregivers and medical professionals.
- Cost and Payment Options: Every old age home comes with a price tag. Make sure the one you choose fits your budget.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Ensure that your chosen old age home encourages social activities and companionship among its residents and offers counselling facilities. It will help your loved ones maintain good psychological health.
At Olive Elder Care, we have different types of old age home in India. We perform a thorough assessment of each senior citizen to help them choose an elderly living facility that suits their needs best.
Why Choose Olive Elder Care for Trusted Elderly Care Support?
At Olive Elder Care, we recognise that deciding to send your loved ones to an old age home is a deeply emotional decision and selecting the right old age home is crucial. Keeping this essential need in mind, we do not merely offer our senior residents a place to stay, they get a safe and nurturing environment where they feel loved, protected, respected, and truly cared for.
Popular as one of the most trusted old age homes in India, Olive Elder Care offers an array of facilities tailored according to the physical, emotional and medical needs of your loved ones.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Comprehensive Care Plans
- Qualified and Compassionate Staff
- Safe and Hygienic Facilities
- Holistic Wellness and Activities
- Expert Geriatric Counselling
At Olive Elder Care, your family becomes ours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many types of old age homes are there?
There are primarily 7 types of old age home in India, each serves a specific need of the resident and is available at a different price. These old age homes range from charitable services to luxury living centres.
2. What is the best type of home for seniors?
All types of old age home are best for seniors. Your choice must vary with the type of services you need from the institution. It can be memory care for those suffering from Alzheimers, hospice for those living in the final stages of their lives or geriatric care homes for those who have chronic medical conditions.
3. What is the cost of an old age home?
Old age homes come at different costs. While the charitable institutions are free, paid services can cost anywhere from Rupees 10,000 to Rupees 1 lakh per month. At Olive Eldercare, we have varied options that fit every budget and care option.