Myths And Facts About Assisted Living In India

An assisted living facility is a living complex for the senior citizens that promotes wellness program through a professionally managed, designed, and tailored caregiving services. It is not the same as a charity-based old age home or the retirement homes run by the Governments. Don’t allow misconceptions about these senior living communities deprive you of a valuable caregiving option when your loved ones require assisted living in India.

To set things straight, here are truths to some commonly believed myths about assisted living in India.

• Assisted living is the new nursing home

An assisted living facility offers round the clock personal care and access to healthcare facilities but does not provide residents with the 24*7 medical care that is being offered at nursing homes. At an assisted living facility, senior citizens get help with bathing, grooming, and other personal needs from the professionally trained non-medical staff or caregivers. These caregivers also assist with medication management and monitor necessary parameters like blood pressure and sugar levels, all in a homely environment. The underlying difference between assisted living in India and nursing homes is the level of medical care, and that means the living environment too.

• The cost of an assisted living in India is too much

Assisted living can actually work out to be a reasonable and economical option when compared to a nursing home or senior living communities like Nema Care. When compared to a nursing home, it is only a fraction of the cost since the nursing home offers 24*7 medical care and monitoring, which is more expensive. When compared to senior living, it is more economical when you consider the larger costs of maintaining and running a household in addition to the wages of an attendant, expensive home visits by multiple practitioners like doctors, nurses, therapists as well as the cost of maintaining a house.

• Assisted living implies a loss of independence

Assisted living facilities like Nema Care promise 24-hour care and support services that preserve the dignity, self-esteem, and independence of its residents. Moreover, Nema Care actively works with the senior citizen’s family to make them feel comfortable and cared for. So, when it comes to this myth, picking the right assisted care provider is key.

• Senior citizens are safer staying at home

Assisted living in India premises are built keeping the safety needs of senior citizens in mind. For example, at Nema Care elderly can move around with ease thanks to the grab bars, anti-skid flooring, wheelchair accessible areas, hallways, and wider elevators. Installation of fire alarms and sprinkler systems are also the precautions that assisted living facilities take. In addition, assisted living facilities have 24*7 access to doctors on call and may also provide professional care for deteriorating conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, which may be unmanageable at home.

• Assisted living is the doorway to loneliness

Moving into an assisted living facility is actually about joining a like-minded community of people with the same age group. The elderly enjoy the personal attention of caregivers and interact with other residents through entertainment and fun activities like games, exercises, community singing sessions, etc. These group activities exemplify the joy of living one can find here. On the other hand, a home environment can isolate a senior citizen, when they have no one around or no activities to perform.

• The meals served at assisted living facilities are very basic and boring

The meals cooked at assisted living kitchens promote, first and foremost, good nutrition. For example, Nema care helps residents improve their health through balanced meals and nutritious millet-based meals, accompanied by fruits and snacks. Meals like these are healthy and appetizing, offering variety at each step and eliminate the need for seniors to cook for themselves. The meal plan is made by the professional nutritionists and meals are cooked by experienced chefs.

• The elderly at assisted living facilities must give up the friends and hobbies

This is the most popular myth but has no basis in fact as assisted living facilities are visitor-friendly and have multiple residents who come together to form a community. Such facilities even permit pets, provided that they aren’t a hindrance to other residents. In addition, residents are not only encouraged to pursue hobbies like reading, painting, and more but also get together with the in-house residents.

Now that you know the truth behind these myths, you can choose the right assisted living in India for your loved ones. Nema Care adopts a holistic approach to senior citizen care. Its services include independent living, dementia care, post-op nursing care, palliative care, respite care, etc. with every effort made to ensure that its residents feel happy, comfortable, and cared for.

Nema Care is India's leading Elder Care platform. Designed & constructed with experience in Gurgaon, India.