Concept of an old age home

The very concept of an old age home is new to India. An old age home is usually the place, a home for those old people who have no one to look after them or those who have been thrown out of their homes by their children. The place is of course like home where the inmates get all the facilities for a routine living, like food, clothing, and shelter.

All these necessities are well looked after but, the much-needed love, and care of loved ones is of course sadly missing; for, how can outsiders provide solace? In these homes, it is very interesting and even touching to talk to people whether they are men or women.

At least in India till now, the old people staying away from the home, from their children, or left to themselves is not considered to be a very happy situation. This concept of separating the elders from the youngsters has been imported into India from the West.

Is Old age home a necessity

Is Old age home a necessity?  There are two opinions, one for and another against. It seems to be a necessary .

There are expensive old age homes, they are well managed and the people living there will experience a star hotel ambience. There will be doctors on call, entertainment, and well laid out areas for exercise and walks. Children can visit and I think the elderly too can leave for home stay once in a while. No matter how well appointed or maintained the old age home is, it cannot be like home. And the people staying there will have a feeling of abandonment.

Some children justify that they have no choice. Their life is in some other country. Their parents do not adjust to alien culture and do not wish to leave the shores of their homeland. They cannot be left to fend for themselves, why should they work when everything can be provided for them?  There is a grain of truth in this, but still the elders feel lonely and yearn for their children’s company.