what is the need of Oldage homes?

My grand parents live with family so I don't get it either.but my mom said I should put her in one someday because she doesn't want to be a burden! But I would never in a million do that to my mom Never!

I agree that far too many people put their parents in an old age home, retirement community, or whatever you want to call it because they don't want to be bothered or make the alterations to their own lifestyles that would be required to care for their parents themselves. But I also have to say I don't think that's always the case, and that sometimes it is the best decision. My ex-husband's father moved his mother to a retirement home when she was in her 80's. Her health was failing and she could no longer drive, but she was still mostly capable of functioning on her own. He didn't do this because he was selfish and didn't want to be bothered. He did it because it seemed like the best choice for her at the time. He altered his lifestyle more by doing this than he would have if she had moved in with him (which she didn't want to do either because she wanted to continue feeling independent even though she could no longer maintain her house). He visited her at least 6 times a week. And they weren't just "drop by" visits either. He and his wife brought her dinner or joined her for dinner in the cafeteria. They stayed and participated in the social activities there with her, or if she preferred just sat and watched TV together. Between working and doing this, they were hardly ever in their own home. They took her out to dinner and shopping or brought her over to their house to visit at least weekly if not more often than that. The way the other people in the home were treated by their own children really saddened him. He started visiting not just with her but with many of them, bringing them gifts, inviting them out when he took her out, or reading to them. One night he played the piano in the community room for them and they enjoyed it so much that he asked the director if he could do it every week. It became a regular social event. Because she was there, his mother made many friends in her age group. And she also found romance again in her 80's, after losing her husband in her 70's, with a gentleman who was also there. When her health failed to the point that she could no longer enjoy much of anything, he was still there every day at her bedside. When he had to work, she had 24/7 care. He still played the piano and visited with the other residents every night even though she was no longer able to take part in conversations. So while I totally agree that often moving your parents is just shirking responsibility, I truly believe it isn't always the case. My former father-in-law remained extremely involved in his mother's life on a daily basis and brought joy to other residents who's children were not doing the same.

Here in Australia, old age homes are very good. We have numerous "retirement villages" where a certain amount of care is given to residents living in their own homes. We also have old age homes where domestic services are taken care of and meals are provided in a communal dining area. Games and activities are also provided. Nursing homes are available for those requiring more help. I am 70 and my husband is 6 years older. We have our own home and an active lifestyle and are not yet ready for a home, but many people of 50 years and up CHOOSE to live in these homes. They like the idea of being independent and enjoy the lifestyle and security and services provided. In other countries, old age homes may be different, but here I believe they provide a good service which one day I may take advantage of.

you know what i've got a story about putting old people in home for the aged houses.. so there's this old lady and her son is planning to put her to oldage homes because he feels that he cannot take care of her anymore due to the fact that he has a lot of work to do for his own family..so at the car was the son of the old lady and the daughter of the son.. while they were driving the daughter asked her father.. 'where are we taking grandma??' so the father said 'we're taking her to the oldage homes'..and the daughter said.. 'so that's where i'll take you when you get old..right dad??' and then the man just turned the car aroumd and went home with his mother and her daughter..

The behaviour shown by their children is very bad in the sense of leaving her at a old age home in the first place.And the second thing that she is being left in an old age home that she is not able to understand even the local language is worst.At her age she is left to live a life of great suffering.Their children should understand her pain.I hope she lives a happy and peaceful life.

It is really very sad that in our civilized society we need old age homes. If the old persons near and dear ones are unable to take of then there is no other way then to head for a old age home. But the thing is that the old age homes are usually not well maintained and these old people are put to lot of hardships. In old age they need your love and care, but alas there are only a few who get it. We should mould our society in such a manner that taking care of old parents should be made a compulsory.

well we should kisk off this old age homes its of no need before that we should change the mentality of placeing our parents in those places once they get old

I think it's generally very sad that there is a need for care homes for the elderly because ideally you would hope their families would wish to care for them. However it's not always that simple - for a start not everyone has children so family care is not an option for some. Also if the elderly person is in particularly bad health it may be very difficult for family members to provide adequate care and, in fact, the elderly person themselves may not wish to put that extra "burden" on their children. I think it is a shame when people more or less "abandon" their elderly relatives to care homes as in the example you gave in your question but unfortunately the world is changing and I think generally people are more selfish and self-centred these days.

To me that sounds like they just wanted to go with either a cheap place or a place for from them so they didn't have to visit. Old age homes a re a good place if you need the care. They do all the outside work like snow removale, mowing, gardening and that stuff. Also a good one would have doctors on call or there at all times to help if they need it. Sometimes children can't provide what their parents need and this is the purpose of old age homes I think.

This topic is never ending!! I have been asking this question myself for quite some time now without an answer!! Why is our society like this? As humans what can we do to stop this in the future!! These are my questions for all those who read and respond to your discussion!! Good to see such discussions and people who are kind hearted!! Be happy and Make others live happily then god loves you!!

There are many reasons to put an elderly relative in a "oldage" home. Here in the US, we tend to have several categories...There are retirement communities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities...The connotation here isn't nearly as bad as it appears to be in some other countries. First, as has been said here, many elderly people WANT to live on their own, or in a home with full-time medical staff. They don't want to live with their children or grandchildren. Second, when propperly run, many of these homes can do much more for the elderly than their families can. They usually have full-time medical staff on site 24 hours a day. They provide meals. They provide a safe place to live. My wife's grandmother suffers from something (we're not sure what) that seems to resemble both Alzheimers and Dementia. She has had to be put into a full-care nursing facility because all of her kids have to work to support their families, and do not have the medical expertise to meet her needs. Also, she really can't be left alone in one of their homes for more than a couple minutes; like a small child, she can be a danger to herself. In our society, most people work outside of the home. In many cases, elderly relatives are so ill (mentally and/or physically) that it's not safe to leave them home alone during the day while we're working. So, for their own safety, and so their kids don't come home to a house that's been burned down, they're better off in a nursing home. I do agree that it should be one near someone in their family. In our society today, many kids grow up and move to other states, or other countries, for employment, marriage, or many other reasons. If the kids have the resources to take care of their parents, and if that's something the parents want, then I say go for it...Have them move in with you. At the same time, if helping your parents is going to keep you from providing for your own parents, then perhaps a home is the best thing for everyone involved in the situation.

yes. you are correct. At this age they really need some one who listens to them. They donot need wealth or luxury. Some one who speaks and listens can make them contented. when With out knowing proper language and not even able to understand, how can anyone live? Imagine our situation when we are hailed to such a place where is no social interaction???And now a days nuclear family system is one of the main reasons for such a pathetic situation as I believe. couples are in a hurry to earn money rather than love and affection. They have to realise thatthey too will have a day to face such situation in their old age.

These types of homes are very popular in the UNited States, and I think that is sad. One of my grandmothers lives is something similar, although it is specifically a home for alzheimers patients. She lived on her own until it became clear to us that she was not safe. She also can't live with her children because her alzheimers makes her like a very small child. She will take medicines in wrong and large ammounts, wander off outside, get in her car and drive until she is lost, wander around the house at night and fall down the stairs.... She is like having a small child except more dangerous for her because she is much more mobile and able to put herself in danger. The home she lives in is nice, but no it is not as good as being at home. She gets visitors (her children and grandchildren) almost every day though because my mom and my aunt chose to have her in a home in their town so they could be with her often and take her out to eat or to shop. I do not understand how someone could have a parent in a home that is not close to them, especially with all the things you hear about sub-standard care in some of these homes. There is no way for you to know if your parent /relative is being cared for if you aren't there.

I live in the United States. I do not know specifically about homes for people whose only qualification is being old, but I do understand that to some extent there is a place for assisted care living facilities in the US. Many people have elderly parents and relatives with medical conditions they are not equipped or capable of dealing with at home. I am not justifying this. I think its sad that our society shoves aside its elders like this, but until certain medical equipment becomes more compact and affordable to operate at home, I am not sure what the solution to this problem is. Perhaps if we pay closer attention to our health when we are young and continue to live health conscious lives, we can be better prepared for when we are elderly.

My mom being a home health aid i know the more importance of old age homes (nursing homes) is to help the elderly. Some families cant take care of their parents on their own so they need to put them in a place where they can be properly taken care of. And on the other hand a sadder aspect is there are people who don't want to take care of the elderly and just "dump" them off at the nursing homes.

its neede,,,, i thionk we people must care our old guys..

son or daughter who were leave his feather and mother in old eage home mind that one day you also at this place.so dont leave your parents at old age home.

When u will be old or in that stage u will realise all

well as a disability worker and as a wife of a age care worker I will tell you that the need is huge. Not all clients are treated badly, not all nursing homes are bad so we cant make a general statement that all are. People go there for many reasons. Some people dont have any close relatives. Some dont talk to their family. Some dont want their kids to put their lifes on hold to look after them. Some are just too ill to stay at home. Places are limited and chances are that people will have to apply to more than one to get in. And it could be that the best available is a bit far.

hello,kpbhuvana!what is the need of old age home? when sons and daughter in laws are there. it is their obligation to take care of the old parents or the in laws.they must take proper care of them,what so ever.they have given birth to you and sacrificed every thing of their lives for fulfilling your interests.so also you need to sacrifice some thing for them and stop neglecting.the case you have referred does not justify the need of sending the old lady to any old age home because she does not know the language of the people.it makes no difference if she speaks their language.you have not seen any old age home.it is hell.the administration has made it their money making tools.how can you expect love, respect,sympathy or affection in these old age homes.so instead of sendig her to any old age home the son must keep his mother with him and do justice to her.after all, the son might be having his sons or daughters they might do the same thing to him in his old age.can he tolerate this in his old age.thank you and have good days.