April 27, 2022
Over the past couple of decades, India has been making a drastic shift towards a nuclear family culture, especially in the urban landscape. This shift in family dynamics means that more senior citizens are now looking to live independently post-retirement. However, the real estate market continues to be driven by millennials and their interests. That said, India’s senior citizen population is predicted to touch 319 million by 2050. As India continues to progress into individualism, more and more senior citizens will look to live by themselves amongst like-minded communities. Needless to say, their needs will differ from those of the younger population. To ensure you find the perfect home as a senior citizen, here is a checklist to guide you through your hunt.
Whether you choose to buy an independent home or an apartment within a complex, it is crucial to review the amenities available. To start off with, if you plan to buy an apartment in Goa, check if the buildings have elevators. Secondly, CCTV cameras can go a long way in making you and your loved ones feel safe. Another aspect to look for is whether disaster management is incorporated into the infrastructure and the employees of the complex. Fire safety and natural disaster – management are some things that the staff can be trained for. If you are looking to buy an independent home, ensure that it comes with pre-installed CCTV cameras. Furthermore, it is advisable to hire staff to help you tackle unexpected situations.
The next question you should ask yourself is whether essential services are accessible from your home. It could be a grocery store, a restaurant or a hospital. Check if there are healthcare facilities available in close proximity to your home; make sure that there are more than one to serve as a backup. Furthermore, it can be really helpful if there is a doctor in the neighbourhood who could do home visits. This can be advantageous especially if you are diagnosed with conditions that require routine checkups. Retiring into a quiet remote escape can be a dream come true, only when you are still connected to medical facilities and pharmacies.
As a senior citizen who has just jumped into the world of retirement, peace and quiet might top your list. Ensure that your home is in a relaxing little corner whilst remaining accessible to essential infrastructure. You could go for an apartment in a complex or an independent home on the outskirts of a city. That said, if you are someone who might prefer relying on public transport to get around, do a quick survey of how accessible that is in the vicinity.
The kind of community you share your space with might vary with your preference. However, it might be convenient to find like-minded people, perhaps from the same age group as yours. Most senior citizens do not enjoy loud communities with too many kids and frequent parties. The most obvious way to find the perfect community is to ask around and interact with the locals and residents. You can also pick a gated community with around 6-8 luxury villas in Goa, so that peace and quiet is ensured.
Today, smart homes are the future. As a senior citizen, a smart home can really help make living independently all the more fun. Some beneficial accessories can be home security systems, automated lighting and even voice-aided navigation. Research has shown that smart homes can go as far as helping senior citizens in making calls and offering healthcare. A smart home can remind you to take your medicines, go for walks, and even initiate calls in case of emergencies. Moreover, it can be operated remotely and can go a long way in ensuring you stay safe, healthy and connected.
Today, thanks to the technological revolution, most things get delivered to your doorstep. However, if you are planning to live in a remote location on the outskirts of a city, there is a chance that it might not be as connected as you hoped for it to be. Do some research on what kind of internet services and speeds are available in prospective localities. Once that’s done, the next step would be to look into the kind of services that deliver to your location. Some obvious necessities are medicines, groceries, furniture and food.
The design of your home is crucial to ensuring that the elderly – especially those with specific conditions – have a stress-free stay. For instance, door handles instead of doorknobs can aid individuals with arthritis. Apart from that, well-lit spaces along with automated night lights and emergency lights can help prevent falls. Furthermore, installing bars to hold on to in the house will also work towards preventing falls, especially in the bathrooms. Along with that ensure that your home is wheelchair-friendly in case you or someone in your household requires one. Lastly, find a home that’s compact and not too spacious to avoid too much movement since it can be tiring for an elderly person.
Being a senior citizen looking to live independently can be daunting. However, finding a home that is designed to support your needs can be the first step in creating a safe and comfortable space for yourself. Apart from that, a supportive community that keeps checking in on you can be really helpful as well.
The senior citizen’s checklist for buying a new home