Where Elders feel at home

These housing communities are equipped with medical facilities and recreational activities for the elderly help them either to live on their own and allow them to take help in case of need. Common dining arrangements and other services offered in such projects free them from the worry of chores in their old age. What more, such projects are available in different price ranges to suit one’s budget too.  

When Rajalakshmi moved to Chennai from the north, she chose to settle at a Senior Citizen Centre. On the East Coast Road, though her daughter lived in the same city. Wanting to be independent, yet staying at a locality closer to her daughter’s home, she wanted to spend time amid people of the same age group. 

“At the centre, I go for walks with others living there. We meet at the dining room during lunch and dinner or at the temple. It is nice to live in an area surrounded by greenery and friends,” she said.

With facilities like doctors available on call and a planned diet, the centre comprises around 56 cottages that can be availed on lease basis at a nominal charge of up to Rs 4,000 depending on the amenities they prefer to use during their stay. 

K Ramamoorthy, a senior citizen, and the centre’s secretary, says, “It is more about independent living at this centre. Here, we have people from all walks of life living in the same community.” 

Chennai has been emerging as a sought-after destination for senior citizens who want to live in such communities. Awareness about the benefits of such community living is higher in the south than north, say builders. 

Ankur Gupta, joint managing director, Ashiana Housing that launched Ashiana Shubham at Maraimalai Nagar off GST Road early this year, said “When we did a research for our next project almost five years ago, we found that Chennai apart from Coimbatore, was leading both in terms of population and per capita income. There is better awareness among people here about the concept of community project living, when compared to the north.” 

The project in GST with 144 units cater to residents aged 55 years and above and the houses are priced between Rs 20 lakh to 60 lakh. 

Ashwin Kumar Iyer, CEO, Vedaanta Senior Living, who has two projects lined up in the city, agrees. Vedaanta is coming up with two projects on OMR and Poonamalle. Ashwin says, “The emphasis is on independent living and facilities with assisted living. The biggest determining factor is the location.” 

He adds that the concept has been finding takers, irrespective of income groups and vocation. “The demand is among middle and upper middle class families and that is met with a price range between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. Earlier, we had defence and central government employees as buyers, but over  the years we have had bank employees and those in the middle and upper middle class segments. The emphasis is now on independent living with facilities for assisted living.” 

Ramamoorthy says that it is natural for one to assume that a place where a group of senior citizens living is an old age home. “But that’s not true; this is a retirement community,” he adds. 

We are slowly trying to dispel the misery associated with old age homes as they have gone on to show ageing can be a happy experience, points out Dr R Sundaravelu, director, Sterling Aayushmaan. 

Located on Kundrathur- Sriperumbudur Highway the community offer houses for Rs 10,500 per month on rent, inclusive of food and housekeeping. Sundaravelu says, “Running a nature care hospital, I was asked by senior citizens who sought treatment about houses in the same setting. We have now over 30 of the houses occupied.” 

However, finding trained care givers is a challenge, says Sundaravelu. “Luckily, the village nearby has been a good human resource for caregivers because in the villages, caring for elders is part of living. However, for continuous support we require trained caregivers and they are not easily available,” he adds.