Why Location & Physical Environment Matter When Choosing A Senior Living Home

Where you live and the physical surroundings around your home make important factors in determining how well and healthy you age.

Age-friendly physical surroundings can mean the difference between freedom and dependence for older adults. They can make you more mobile as living in an interesting location or enabling environment would entice you to step out and discover things around you. They can impact your mental and physical well-being in many ways. It’s one of the reasons physical environment is one of the determinants of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Active Ageing Framework.

As senior living starts becoming an acceptable and popular concept in India, the importance of senior-friendly, safe and well-laid-out locations are coming to the fore. Most of them focus on location and work towards creating a physical environment that is age-friendly, accessible and certainly an energy booster. 

A 2018 report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) stated that in about 30 years from now, the elderly population in India is expected to triple from 104 million in 2011 to 300 million in 2050, accounting for 18 per cent of the total population in 2050.

How do senior living and a great physical environment and location go hand in hand? 

It’s because often the physical environment in a home is not conducive enough for the senior citizen to age in place, no matter how lovingly that home would’ve been made. Roads around homes can be hazardous, with poor lighting and barely any footpaths. There may not be any safe locations for people to assemble and meet friends. Many senior citizens now live in gated communities that are safe but with very little social interaction. Many struggle to finish their basic needs and daily chores and depend on external agencies and helpers, often not regular. To fill this gap and to provide a good support system to the independent senior, the concept of active senior living is gradually emerging in India. 

Senior living refers to housing for people above 55 who are independent and lead active lives. Most senior living facilities offer convenient services, senior-friendly design features, and access to a vibrant social community of like-minded people. All key ingredients for facilitating a great physical environment too. 

Shruti Kedia, director of Ikigai Senior Living, Goa says, “Senior Living is about living independently, community living, and a secure environment with all needs taken care of to ensure you lead your best life post-55.” Ikigai Senior Living - Goa is a community project developing residential apartments for retirement homes at Kadamba Plateau, North Goa and is only 20 mins from the capital city, Panjim.  It is Goa's first lifestyle senior community by PRESCON and Goa’s first fully serviced community. Nestled within the beautiful and scenic township of Prescon Amanha, it boasts world-class infrastructure, enthralling topography, refreshing weather and a premium experience. Prescon has brought together a team of professionals and experts in the senior living space to create this masterpiece.   

A location like Ikigai Senior Living would be an enabler for leading your dream life. “Imagine going back to those carefree days of college, where hanging out with your friends and pursuing your passion and hobby was what life was about. Today at Ikigai Goa we promise you all that and more, amidst world-class amenities and homes built keeping you and your needs at the forefront. And it makes it even better when this community living is planned in the natural paradise of Goa,” Ms Kedia adds.

What are the factors you should be looking out for, while selecting a senior living home?

Most senior living or retirement homes are now coming up in smart cities like Goa, Dehradun, Pune and Bangalore among others. The common factor among all these cities is the moderate climate throughout the year. Clean air, moderate temperature and less crowd are senior citizens' top three criteria for any city selection. 

Location, weather, healthcare, facilities and reputation of the builder are other key factors in deciding on the right choice for senior living accommodation. Whether you are looking for a comfortable retirement home or a luxury apartment for senior citizens, consider these factors before selecting any senior citizen housing project. Ensure your location has accessible facilities. Most senior living apartments are built in remote places or on the outskirts of a city. The idea is to provide a noise and pollution-free environment to the senior citizens. However, it is important that the place is well connected via road transport, and the facility provides quick transportation in an emergency.

At senior living communities like Ikigai Goa, you have the advantage of a beautiful location and access to all the important determinants like travel and healthcare that make the life of an older adult satisfactory and meaningful. 

For more details on this project call +91 87667 57810 or email at goasales@prescon.in

Visit them at: http://ikigaiseniorliving.com/

Read our previous article on this project here: Ikigai Goa

Note for readers: This is a promotional feature