Objective
Develop an old age community where the residents enjoy security, dignity, autonomy and sense of mutuality.
Old Age Home vs. Old Age Community
In the former the residents are brought in by their children. In the latter the individuals decide for themselves to move into and leave youngsters to fend for themselves and not get enmeshed in their affairs unsolicited.
Mental Image
That of a resort with independent units in close connection with the earth rather than imposing buildings with rooms-after-rooms – not a concrete jungle!
Basic Philosophy
1) That old age is not drudgery; The best periods of one’s life, some cognitive research say, is after 50-55 years up to 70 or so when mental health could be the highest even if the body starts giving trouble.
2) Healthy materialism is desirable because that means respecting inanimate objects; However, most common form of materialism is pernicious… which may include, besides hankering after money, the notion that health “consists” only of the physical. Unthinking nostalgia for young and clinging to it is a sign of the pernicious form of materialism.
3) That happiness consists of many things. While physical well-being is one of the factors, hormonal compulsions (and coded “vasanas”, of course) play a greater role in happiness and unhappiness.
4) That youth is best celebrated as a factor outside of oneself rather than as something possessed by the self.
5) That current generational tendency is to picture one’s old age as being a happy one with children and grandchildren which is often unrealistic and damaging.
6) That children should be allowed to fend for themselves without interference from parents for their and societal growth.
7) The so-called joint family dreams that old people generally nurture in the Indian context are not so “natural” as people think. The idea of “Vanaprastham” needs to be understood better.
8) That where children require help, older people would be able to happily provide this only if it accompanies a complete service mentality rather than a quid-pro-quo mentality.
9) The right old-age strategy is to have more liquid assets. There should be greater flexibility to convert one form of asset to another. Illiquid assets do not permit this.
10)That as age sets in, conveniences that come from assets become even more important than owning the assets themselves. The practical implication of this is numerous. For instance, renting a car is more convenient than owning a car.
11)And so on… some more will emerge as we have more conversation on this.
Target
1) Individuals above 50 years.
2) Liberal minded couples or single persons
Common facilities
- Common cafeteria where the individual opts to have meals if so desired
- Health Club
- Library, reading room, e-library with subscription of databases
- Common Room
- Lounge with TV
- Meditation Hall
- Walking track
- Laundry with independent/ operator-assisted washing machines
- Nutrition centre
Later Jacuzzi, Ayurvedic massage centre etc. could be added depending on cost.
Individual facilities
Units with 1 ½ bedrooms enough for a couple to live comfortably with a small drawing room, 2 bathrooms, a sit-out and a kitchenette. The place will be fitted with facilities like handrails, ramps for wheelchairs, non-skid floors, and other conveniences for disabled persons. The unit will be modestly built with help from Lawrie Baker type architects. All electrical/ plumbing etc. work will be attended to regularly.
Activities
Invited talks or programs
Interaction with local community (through teaching nearby children etc.)
Cultural activities
Drawing/ painting/ music talks/workshops
Spiritual discourses – liberal variety
Gardening
Movie shows
Celebration of festivals
Occupational Therapy
Such an idea will need further exploration
Advisory facilities
- Advice on Funds Management
- Legal help in planning bequeathal
Health facilities
- Clinic for general physician, homeopathy, naturopathy
- Arrangement with a local hospital in case of emergency
- Ambulance on call
- Regular health check-ups
- For path-lab services regular collection services
- Palliative care
Other common facilities
1) The community will have a vehicle(s) that could be utilized by members
2) There would be someone going to the market and bringing things on a daily basis for those prefer not to step out. Also bank and PO errands
Financials
Needs to work this out.
Community
The community will consist a maximum of 30 couples/ persons (if the person is unmarried or single presently) or parties (in case of couples; a couple being defined as a party) who will hold equal shares in the property. 30 is a tentative number. More research needs to be done to find out that what would be the minimum economic size.
Location
Within 45 minutes to 1 hour by car/ ambulance to a decent hospital.
Property ownership
The legal status of the community needs to be worked out. It probably would be a coop society with equal shares/rights held by the each member/ party.
Only a senior citizen/ senior couples/ senior siblings would be permitted to be a member of the coop.
If members want to exit, the value would be effectively realized by the exiting members by transferring the membership to the new eligible party. There would be conditions in such transfer. Only a senior citizen/ senior couples/ senior siblings would be permitted to be the transferee. To ensure this, such transfer has to be approved by the general body represented by the managing committee of the coop. Perhaps it may even be that the exiting member effectively sells the shares back to the coop which in turn sells it to a new transferee.
In case of death, the coop would transfer the shares to a new eligible party and the proceeds would go to the designated heir of the deceased party.
Right to Stay in the Property
Since this is an old-age community only the members would be allowed to stay. If a party has visitors they will be provided with separate accommodation and shall be charged. No visitor shall be permitted to stay with their host.
Managing committee
Everyone would be equal. The initiators for the project will form the initial board to start with. New board members will be elected when the terms of the existing board comes to an end.
Eligibility
At least one person (of the couple) having reached 50 years of age. Couple could be legally married or partners.
Mix of members
Once operations stabilize the community would consists of a “healthy” mix of those who are in different age brackets (50-60, 60-70, > 70). The new incumbents will be chosen to maintain a certain mix so that there are sufficient persons in the lower age bracket who will have the energy to be more active in running the place.
Operational Details
Pets may be allowed so long as they are no nuisance. Use of common area for pet walking will be allowed if accompanied by the owner.
Smoking and drinking of alcohol will not be allowed in public and common areas.
The premises shall not be used for carrying on any professional/business activity or any activity other than for usage as residence unless carried out with the express consent of the community in which case common premises may be let out to members of a reasonable rent for purposes of commercial activity. Hopefully this will encourage some of the residents to open small stores etc. within the premises for the convenience of the residents.
All maintenance will be taken care of by the community. No structural alternation to the units by individual members.
Management of the property and all facilities rests with the Community. Residents will assist in the day to day functions. Cooks, clearing crew and watchmen, supervisor etc. will be employed the community.
Future activities
There is a possibility that the premises could be rent out to older persons who may come in for a few days retreat. Ideally we could develop this place to attract those who are interested in knowing how to create old-age communities or persons who want to simply spend a few days within the community. We could also provide some workshops on culture etc. depending upon the expertise and interests of the community members.
Absentee Members
There may be some members who may treat this as an investment wherein they will not stay in the premises for extended periods of time. This will defeat the purpose of the endeavor. So we could specify a condition that residents should be staying in the premises for at least a period of ½ year (182 days) during any two contiguous calendar years. There may be exception in case of hospital stay/ emergency care when exceptions would be made strictly on health grounds alone.
However, initially to encourage investment in the project there could be longer time provided for actual joining. So each member would specify when he or she would be joining after which the ½ year rule given in the previous para would apply.
Bank Loans
Bank loans may not be feasible. Since the coop members are older people and likely to be non-earning unless payment is guaranteed by someone else. Banks will have to be consulted for this.
Nature of Transactions
All transactions in cheques.
