From 2020, after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, people have begun to rethink their lifestyles and plan their retirement. For a majority, their concerns are regarding their own parents and relatives who are senior citizens. Many are rethinking about living in cities and now are exploring retirement homes for senior citizens and assisted living facilities. However the daunting thought is guilt and fear of what people may say. But considering the loneliness that has seeped into our lives after severe lockdowns, social distancing and worry of not being able to meet one’s loved ones, it is time for us to change our own inhibitions and think of the well being—emotional, psychological and mental, of our loved ones.
Most mean well when they say they would like to do everything to take care of their aging parents or grandparents. But in the limited space at home and difficulty in getting the right medical intervention and specialists, tying them down at home is often not the best choice. Because, at the end of the day, each is busy with their own lives while the aging loved ones are lonely. There are many options today for senior citizen retirement homes in Mumbai, where one can explore options of keeping their loved ones in good, caring hands. One such is Dignity Lifestyle, in Neral. Here there are options of both assisted and independent living, where one can also keep one’s own helper, apart from the staff that cater to all basic services.
Independent, working adults are exploring the option of retirement homes for senior citizens to keep their old parents in a place where they are confident, they will be taken care of, are safe and most of all, not lonely. Saroj Shenoy and Krishna Nayak are two professionals who live abroad, had way back in 1996-1997, heard of the concept of senior living in a retirement community. They took the decision in 2017 to move their parents to Dignity Lifestyle Retirement Township, as their father’s health was already shrinking and their mother had undergone a hip surgery. Today, Mrs. Prema Nayak lives on her own with her helper in an independent residential unit.
After battling the emotional demons due to family and societal pressures, they realised this is the best option for their mother. “There couldn’t have been a better option and this is a win-win situation for both. They are constantly improving their senior care facilities at Dignity. Repair and maintenance is good, they take customer complaints and suggestions seriously. Some have complained of rising inflation costs and they have come up with solutions. Every facility that can be reasonably provided in these circumstances is there at this senior living facility. We are happy for our mother,” Krishna shared.
The one core service that has given the Nayak’s reassurance that their parent is in good hands, is the medical facilities with a resident doctor on the premise. “I am happy we took this decision because we don’t have the tension that something will happen and nobody is there to look after her,” said Saroj. Adding to her sentiment, Krishna elaborated, even if they were to keep their mother at home, they would not have been able to provide the care and facilities she is getting at Dignity Lifestyle. “Even in our own house it would have been difficult to take care of our parents, with both of us working out of the house for a major part of the day,” said Krishna. They are mentally at ease to know there are nurses, in-house doctor and immediate medical services.