old age, lonelyness, sickness and children

Recently  (July 2013) an advertisement in the Malayala Manorama classified ran an ad, that reads something like this.

" if you are above 55 and looking for old age shelter and care, we have plans for a retirement home.

We are located in Irinjalakuda.

Signed    AB  , lawyer
Signed  CD, doctor
Signed  EF, doctor  "

In Kerala, this  year 500,000 students  will appear for matriculation examination.
This year admission in the first grade  (first standard) is 250,000 only.

Signs of times. Many couple do not get children, many opt for just one child, and many couples are postponing.  Many couples have migrated.

End result, the state is aging, very, very fast.

Today there was report in every Malayalam newspaper, that a woman died and her son and daughter never checked on her over one month.

The woman lived alone, and  had no contact with neighbours, apparently died of a heart attack.

If you have a need to live alone, why not have a colony for old people, where, some one will check on you, every day, there will be a doctor on call, drivers to rush you to hospital, clean and cook for you. Cooking need be only in a community kitchen.  Only you need to tell in advance, whether you need dosa, uppu mavu, or eggs,  or cereals, what so ever. A community of 200 people will have reduced costs on food, laundry,  house keeping, laundry etc.

house maintenance, like electrical works, plumping etc would be easy because, one could have dedicated workers for this. No worry on paying utilities either.

Why then, old people want to live alone, in big houses, even when there is threat to their lives.

Women, old women too, love to wear gold ornaments, all the time. There are instances, where, old couples are attacked, and robbed. In the process, death is a factor.

For your security, women, should avoid, wearing anything that looks like gold. Any takers?

Now need of the time is, good retirement homes, where one need not shop for provisions,  go to various offices to pay utility bills, ...   Some one should come  to your accommodation, clean up the place, make beds, tend your garden, (if you are on the ground floor)  cook for you in the common kitchen, the food that you like and told them one week in advance.

As a retiree,you should be able to read, join aerobic exercises, do yoga, plant garden, make flowers / vegetables grow, swim, play cards, or physical games like tennis , volleyball, even  do social work.

Doing social work is something, every body should do to give back something to the society. You have lived so long, acquired many skills, that took  many years. You could teach the community, what you have learned. You could be a consultant, on subject you have dealt with.  A community of 200 could be gold mine of skills, and knowledge treasure. Ask a question,  and someone among you will have an answer.

Don't  give away all your money to your children, or don't spend your income on your children 100  percent.

If  you are young, and  or, if you family is young, you have long time to retire. You hope your children will take care of  you when you are old. Well, you need a plan B.  A secret reserve, that your family does not know. (some friend, or lawyer should know, just in case , some day you drop dead, or if a truck runs over you).  The plan B is for comfortable retirement, without begging your children to look after you.

Whether you are young or old, start now.  When you are old, and generate income, your  children might not be able  or willing to take care of you.  Steady income from your secret investments would help.