Elders living in senior living communities have reported higher satisfaction, finds a study by the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI). The study compared seniors living in Delhi-NCR with their families and seniors staying at senior living projects. The core objective of the survey was to understand the variation in mental, physical and social satisfaction of seniors residing in urban cities, in comparison to those residing at senior living communities. The study covered 150 elders across Delhi-NCR and 150 elders living in Ashiana Senior Housing Communities. More than 41% of the elders were aged 60-69 years, with almost equal distribution of both genders. The survey covered four aspects of the quality of life, that is, health, emotional, financial and social life.
The report indicated that 49% of seniors staying in senior living projects have voted for having a very good life. However, only 13% seniors staying outside, in Delhi-NCR, said they have a very good lifestyle. Seniors who are staying in Delhi-NCR are much more prone to anxieties caused by society and family feuds, which eventually reflect on their health and behaviour patterns, leading to more depression and blue moods. In such circumstances, the stress also often leads to health degradation, causing lack of energy, poor concentration and reduced sleep.
See also: Will the government’s model guidelines for retirement homes help senior citizens?
Commenting on the survey, Ankur Gupta, co-chairman of ASLI said: “The study has revealed some significant findings. The factors that require to be addressed for the senior population entail a healthy physical environment and supporting infrastructure, easy and convenient access to transport, expert and quality healthcare, geriatric care, help for conducting daily chores and security needs.”
Furthermore the study found that 32% seniors in the senior living community were very satisfied with their health. However, when it comes to normal group housing, only 7% of senior citizens were very satisfied.” Moreover, 99% of senior citizens staying in the senior living community admitted that they felt that they were in a safe zone, while only 14% of seniors staying in Delhi-NCR have voted for the same.
The study reflects that those residing in senior living projects find themselves safer and living in a comparatively healthy environment. On the other hand, seniors staying in Delhi-NCR do not feel safe and often live in compromised physical environments, due to increased pollution and the chaos of the city. People in senior communities also felt more active, amiable and felt that their lives were more meaningful. Away from family issues, they spend their time in daily fitness activities and fulfilling hobbies, which were once given backseat due to a hectic life. The findings also show that the lifestyle of these communities have improved seniors’ quality of life, as they are comparatively less dependent on medicines and stress-free.
