May 16, 2016 at 9:55 am

Children have left the shores seeking greener pastures leaving behind seniors to fend for themselves. Domestic help is rare, properties are neglected, with no proper infrastructure seniors cannot handle. There is the fear of memory loss, bone fractures and other chronic ailments.

Should they shift to  seniors homes. Would you? ?

June 20, 2016 at 10:10 pm

I think it would be better to take good care of the old folks. In my country, every families took the responsibility of keeping their old loved ones closely. Besides, there are no facilities of senior homes in my country. The family prefers to hire private nurses or caregivers for the senior elders.

June 20, 2016 at 10:44 pm

@ bestwriter Our elders have spent their lives taking care of us and in their old age, it’s our responsibility to take care of them. In India, people take care of their elders and the concept of old age home is looked down upon. However with the impact of Western culture, neglect of old people in families is becoming a cause of concern here too.

June 21, 2016 at 12:45 am

My mom who is 83 is determined to stay in the home that my dad and her have been living in.  My brother is near b y as all of us girls visit and call.  I think it depends on the person and their situation.  However, a lot of times it’s sad when family put their parent in a nursing home as some times, the children are so busy and maybe don’t want to see their parent in a home, they often times don’t visit them.  They know them as they “use to be.”

I would definitely have to check the facility out.

June 21, 2016 at 1:00 am

Having worked in a chronic care facility, I can say without a doubt that many people who are put into retirement homes or long-term care simply don’t belong there. On the other hand, I agree very much with @4cryingoutloud: it depends on the situation and on the facility.

In the vast majority of circumstances, older people can manage in the home with support from family or others. And certainly, if this is their wish they should be encouraged to do so. That doesn’t mean all older people wish it! Some like the idea of moving from a house to a retirement community where they no longer need to cook their meals, cut the grass, or concern themselves with home repairs. It leaves them much more time to socialize, and to enjoy their retirement.

But if a person is ill and needs round the clock care, sometimes it’s best that they move to a facility that offers good quality care. I think we should be looking at ways to help seniors stay home when they can, but also to make high-quality care more accessible for those who need it. It’s far too expensive these days and the facilities that are more affordable, often reduce costs by overworking underqualified staff and neglecting care.

June 21, 2016 at 3:46 am

A senior home will have facilities that will not be available at home specially for those who cannot fend for themselves.

June 21, 2016 at 3:49 am

@shaloo walia

With domestic help being rare these days and when seniors are alone don’t you think they have a better life in a home for seniors?

June 21, 2016 at 3:53 am

@joDee Stout

It used to be different during the good old days when joint family system existed. But now many seniors are left alone, children, as I have said are not around. In such circumstances how can a senior manage alone?

June 21, 2016 at 3:57 am

@ruby3881  Most seniors are not happy in homes for seniors but they have no other better alternative. I have seen seniors who are in their own home with no family around and this situation is not something any senior would opt for either.

June 21, 2016 at 4:26 am

@bestwriter As I said, every situation is different. In the West, many seniors prefer to be in their own home and do not desire to have anyone with them on a regular basis. They prefer to have visits with friends and family but otherwise to enjoy the peace and quiet of their homes. It is also very common for the older couple or individual to be the one who moves away from family. It’s quite common here to take advantage of retirement to move to a warmer climate or to get away from the city. Families are generally not consulted about such moves; the older couple realizes the children can’t afford to make the move, and in fact may not want the children to move when they do.

Facilities for seniors are also very different, one from the other. Many of the newer places in North America are designed to be more of a community, with residents in private apartments but having free access to many shared facilities that cater to their interests and needs.

The idea is to have the best of both worlds: autonomy and privacy, balanced with a community atmosphere and quality services. Often, there are also schools and daycare facilities nearby that will involve the seniors in their activities in an effort to foster deeper relationships between the generations.

But these facilities tend to be very pricey, and many simply can’t afford them.

June 21, 2016 at 4:37 am

In the good old days old age homes, here in India, were meant for the destitute but now even the financially independent opt for such a facility which nowadays compares well with what one sees abroad.

June 21, 2016 at 4:51 am

My mom had stroke and diabetes while my dad had high blood pressure plus tinnitus

When my mom had stroke, my dad insisted to take care of her on his own rather put her into the stroke rehab centre or nursing home.

Until now, my dad had been taking care of her and loving her more than he first married her.

Although they had been through bad times, my dad insisted to stay with her at my brother house.

Initially I thought of getting a maid to take care of my mom but none of us could afford.

Not to mention nursing home that will cost more expenses.

June 21, 2016 at 5:11 am

When a person needs ‘patient’ care if it is done at home then that is not sufficient. Both, the one who needs care and the one who takes care suffer.