Twenty percent of India’s population is above 60 years old. As people’s life expectancy increases, so do issues related to old age, from finances to social and mental health. Consequently, senior citizens who do not have family support may feel lonely, neglected, and unprotected. So, they must keep themselves mentally and physically fit to reduce dependency. However, according to the senior’s requirement, a person needs to identify which mode of living to choose as retirement homes are different from old age homes.

Nowadays, there are professionally managed homes for seniors who do not want to depend on their children and relatives. Old-age and retirement homes provide various facilities for older people to spend their golden years. Today, many people who can afford them opt for them.

Old Age Homes

An old age home provides senior citizens with medical care and access to various necessities of life like food, recreation, entertainment, and socializing opportunities. They can have medical care, a social life, and privacy and security in an old-age home to lead a normal life. An old age home can be a backup plan for seniors whose children have less time to care for them. However, they must prepare for it in advance, both financially and mentally. Although it is still seen as a last resort for helpless seniors, many consciously choose an old age home to stay independent.

Retirement or Assisted Living Homes

These homes provide specialized care for seniors who need round-the-clock medical care or have illnesses that require frequent care and attention that family members aren’t equipped to handle. Generally, people who wish to receive personalized care choose a retirement home where they can get a social life and freedom and do not want to depend on their children and relatives. Retirement homes provide special facilities for residents who have specific needs. For example, an Alzheimer’s patient may need close medical care and attention so they can lead the rest of their life in peace. The caretakers ensure they get adequate help to lead an everyday life.

However, seniors who are physically or mentally fit sometimes also opt for assisted living to minimize stress, as these facilities ensure their day-to-day needs are taken care of well. Seniors also get the opportunity to socialize, which they may not get when living with their children.

These homes also provide retirees avenues to engage in different activities to keep them healthy and occupied. They offer entertainment, too, like movie screenings and indoor and outdoor games.

Finally, old age homes cater to the basic needs of individuals, whereas retirement homes are trained and equipped to provide specialized care. Old age homes give more priority to basic comforts like accommodation, meals, etc.

On the other hand, retirement homes provide personalized care to the residents, like the preference of food, such as vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals, and medical care for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Old-age homes are not adequately equipped to handle all the tasks and depend on nearby hospitals and clinics for medical services. Old-age homes are typically cheap, unlike retirement homes, which offer various old-age-related services.