The State Of Senior Living: An Exploration Of Old Age Homes In Bhopal

Abstract

As the world's population ages, providing compassionate care for the elderly becomes increasingly crucial. This paper studies the lifestyle of senior citizens living at Aasra Old Age Home in Bhopal, India. It examines the care quality, facilities, social engagement, healthcare services, and overall well-being of elderly residents. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, analysing secondary data and conducting qualitative interviews with residents, staff, donors, and administrators. The findings emphasize the importance of old age homes in offering comfort, care, and emotional support to elderly individuals lacking caregivers. Changing societal values, such as nuclear families and evolving care patterns, have increased the demand for institutionalized elderly care in India. Old age facilities provide healthcare services, social interactions, and support for daily activities. However, residents often face difficulties like a sense of isolation, limited recreational options leading to boredom and disengagement. The uninspiring infrastructure also contributes to a sense of despair among the inhabitants. The research indicates that the residents experience a sense of dependency that can lead to frustrations and loneliness among them. Hence, this study seeks to look for opportunities through which the lifestyle of the elderly living in the old age home can be improved upon by taking necessary actions.