All the four stages of human life- childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old are crucial parts of anyone’s life. We change both physically and mentally with every moment that passes by. Back in the time when we were kids, we wanted to grow up and live an independent adult life, and when we become an adult, we want to go back to the past. We are never satisfied, no matter what stage of life we are in. Will another phase of life bring the satisfaction that we always look for? That might not be the case. Each stage of life has its issues and complications.
One of the human life phases that bring a lot of complications is old age. We get physically weak, mentally inactive, and various diseases inflict our mind and body. The old body is not even able to help out on its own. And above all, the worst part of being old is that the people we are close to or think that they will always be there in need leave us out.
As life goes on, the traditional joint family is being phased out in favor of a nuclear family. It can be that the younger generation does not like to be around so many people, or they do not have a good relationship with other family members. No matter what the reason is, the result is devastating. As our society is transitioning to nuclear families, the younger generation is moving away from their parents or completely abandoning them.
Life at Old Age Homes
Elderly adults are frequently observed in old age homes either because they are left to fend for themselves or because they decide to. Is it a good neighborhood to live in? What is it like for an older person to live in a nursing home?
- Companionship: Old age is that phase of life where people get surrounded by loneliness. Their children are away from them, living their own life. Old people also don’t have many occasions where they can meet their grandchildren. In old age facilities, these seniors can readily find companions their own age. When they have a companion who is their age, they feel more at ease.
- Health Care: Old age homes are like homes for people who are at the last stage of their lives and are not in a condition where they can take care of themselves. Medical help is available to them all the time in old age homes.
- Caretakers: In old age, the human body gets weaker and makes it difficult to even perform day-to-day activities on our own. Old age homes provide help by assisting caretakers who can help elderly people in any situation.
Why Old People live in Old Age Homes
Whenever old people are seen or start living in ashrams or nursing homes, they immediately blame their children. But is it the case? There may be many examples where their children have severed ties with them. However, in some circumstances, older people want to live in old age homes.
Make New Friends: It gets difficult to find a companion in old age and that of the same age. To avoid the lonely period that old age brings to people, they often need a companion who can be with them in their old age. To find someone they can interact with on a daily basis, they often decide to move to old age homes where they can find plenty of people like them.
Their Home becomes Unsuitable: Old age brings both physical and cognitive constraints on older people. Such as they may forget to switch off the gas or leave a kettle boiling. They may forget to take medication or have difficulty reading the prescription. Because they become physically frail they may not be able to operate devices, open containers, lift heavy objects or often suffer with joint pains making it difficult for them to climb stairs or get up from the bed. These constraints, disables them to perform daily chores demanding either some modification in the house to make it suitable or availability of a care provider who could be of constant assistance. The other option could be to move to a care-facility where they can live their lives without worrying about the daily chores.
They do get abandoned: People in old age are just like children. Where they become pure souls and innocent beings. Being old requires a lot of care and attention. The younger generation that we have today does not always want to take this responsibility on their shoulders. To avoid the responsibility, the adults or the children of old people leave their parents in the care of old age homes.
To Get Away from Abuse: Because of their lifestyle or any other reasons, the older adults family environment may get abusive. To keep themselves safe from abuse, they might decide to move to old age homes. It is a place where they can be safe and be around people who can treat them with dignity.
Final Thoughts
In today’s digital age, elderly parents might have to live alone as their children have to be away for work purposes. As a result, placing an elderly father or mother in an old age home is the next natural step. Overall, there are definite advantages to living at the old age homes. They crave a sense of belonging and the opportunity to communicate with others. Socialization will also make individuals feel less nervous and afraid about growing old. Finally, elders have physiological requirements that require them to remain physically active in order to combat conditions that make them physically weak.
Aastha Medical is dedicated to giving our elders the best possible treatment and remaining by their side until the end. They have devoted caregivers who provide all of the necessary services and much more to the elderly. They not only provide assistance to the elderly but also provide recreational activities like taking them on outings or playing a game or two. Your loved ones will have complete access to meals, health care, and other everyday necessities if they live in an old age home. You can resort to a reputed old age home facility if you are unable to care for your parents.