Socially Integrated Retirement Community
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Life expectancy is steadily increasing, but cities are no longer safe nor friendly neighbors a certainty. Alternative housing for the aged is a practical lifestyle solution that developers are now ready to provide. The fading joint family system in India and other innumerable factors have given rise to west-inspired phenomena of old age homes. Surprising cost of living and scanty return on savings have almost pushed these senior citizens on roads. Such an act has triggered the security net of the helpless, which has almost vanished in many states in India with Kerala topping the list. Elders have started walking out of their own home in search of a journey that promises peace,
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They want to live with dignity and, above all, want to be secure. Townships and residential colonies exclusively for senior citizens are now coming up in the state where they can relocate and spend the sunset of their lives without bothering about paying electricity bills, cooking and getting prompt medical care. It is this combination of physical and emotional satisfaction that today‘s retirement homes strive to provide. From an era where old-age homes were synonymous with charitable institutions for the indigent and orphaned elderly, we moved some years ago to the far more refined paid homes, where amenities were good and services like on-site medical check-ups and transport arrangements were provided. Now, retirement homes are set to enter a third phase of evolution.
Socially Integrated Retirement Community
1.1 BACKGROUND – SENIOR CITIZENS IN INDIA
Retirement communities are being pitched as a ‗lifestyle‘ choice for senior citizens who want to retain their independence.
India‘s rising income levels, life expectancy and nuclear families are yielding a well-deserved bonanza for its senior citizens—retirement homes.
This explains why more and more elderly individuals and couples are opting to move into retirement homes. Their growing popularity is because they offer a relatively stress-free existence, freedom from household chores, modern amenities, a safe environment and prompt help in case of medical emergencies. Although a relatively new concept in India,
The family shows both continuity and changes which can be seen by looking at nuclear families and single parent families respectively. Before 1940s, marriage was considered an important part of society and thought to be a social institution essential for order. Divorce and single parent families were considered dreadful, sex outside marriage was not acceptable, it was a moral offense. The tempo of divorces was very low, but this social behavior soon ended in the post war era. By 1960s, this was no longer the case, as women started to work. They became much more independent, laws were changed and increase in divorces and cohabitation rates had shown that marriage was not compulsory in one’s life.
STRENGTHS: * a new and/or innovative service for the southern area of Dallas * cultural connections * community driven * connection with VA Hospital * growing trend around the nation * prime locations near many senior living facilities
These services are great for elderly people to get out and enjoy themselves, interact and gather with friends. Many elderly people do not go anywhere due to lack of transport or people to go with, so this will help the elderly people have days out and have events to look forward to.
Our agency assists low income seniors living on fixed incomes with mental health services. Our services include screenings for depression, dementia, and early onset of Alzheimer’s. We also provide mental health counseling services for grieving widows and work towards reconnecting individuals with support services in the community.
A vast majority of the population that is nearing retirement age tend to experience a feeling of "unfinished business" and begin planning their golden years around accomplishing them. As retirees, many may start a new hobby they've always wanted to do, write a book, traveling or even going back to school in some cases. So one method a retiree can maximise the time available to accomplish all of those things is to enter a senior housing facility, and be free from the burden of caring for a home.
Sunrise Senior Living Inc. is one of the top firms in the rapidly growing long-term care industry. They provided a number of services for senior citizens including assisted living, meals, transportation, housekeeping, and licensed and highly skilled nurses for certain residents who require 24 hour care. The company was started in 1981 in Fairfax, Virginia by married couple Paul and Terry Klaassen who had a vision of creating alternative senior living options that emphasize quality of life. They have started what is now the most recognized company in the industry boasting innovative products and services
This Senior Center offers multi-services such as congregate dining and Spanish, Creole and American meals cooked fresh on site. Recreational activities include Zumba, bingo, Pokeno, dominoes, billiards, arts & crafts and more. Professional services include legal aid, podiatry care, health screenings, education counseling and programs on spirituality. The volunteer program offers opportunities to give back to the community through advocacy work as well as aid in the daily function of center activities. For spiritual well-being, the center offers mass and worship services. Outings include trips to casinos, malls and local shopping centers. Eligible members receive subsidized para-transit rides or center van services when available. Counseling includes individual sessions, mental health group work, and peer support groups as well as therapeutic activities offered by the Alzheimer’s Association. Languages spoken by staff include Spanish and English, Mon. to Fri. 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Things such as food, energy bill, gasoline, mortgage and rent consume a large amount of seniors
homes in 31 countries where they provide care for over 13,000 needy, elderly persons, many of
We have maintained an excellent leadership team and staff loyalty and retention. Our staff goes beyond providing care and our services exceeds customer satisfaction. We work with elders and their families to meet each resident individualized needs. Our activities are structured to enhance the residents’ cognitive abilities and reconnect them to their past. Our schedule outings involve theaters, beach and social events. Our exceptional services have earned our communities trust and the expansion of our services is just one way of keeping up with our longstanding history of community
Comfort Keepers of Boise, ID Provides a Range of Senior Care Activities in Kuna, ID
The Regional Aid for Interim Needs, Inc., known as (R.A.I.N) is located at 3450 Boston Road Bronx, NY. They offer services of care that includes a range of care programs for seniors and those with disabilities. Their quality programs include: full-service neighborhood senior centers, transportation services assistance with benefits and entitlements, case management, and elder abuse services.
The organization selected is a governmental agency operated by the City of Phoenix. The specific department is HOPE VI and it is a part of the housing department. This department is funded by the HOPE VI grant through HUD’s Office of Public Housing Investments (OPHI) and is comprised of two programs: Community and Supportive Services, Family Self Sufficiency and Senior Service Coordination. The Family Self Sufficiency program focuses on self-sufficiency of residents living in public housing. This program creates a gateway for residents to save money for a down payment towards their own home. The Community and Supportive Services program comprise case management services for residents living in public housing and senior living sites. Senior service coordination focuses on meeting the needs of elderly residents within the senior housing facilities.
Sterling Commons, part of the family-owned Koelsch Senior Communities since 1958, is passionate about caring for our aging population. Strategically located in Victorville, California, close to mountains, the Mojave Desert and some of California’s most popular large city destinations.
Senior living communities involve a various level of care and offer different services among the assisted living, independent living, Alzheimer’s and memory care, Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRCs), active adult, nursing and long-term care, and respite care services.