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Photo: N. Sridharan

Comfort zone: In the twilight years of one’s life, it is security on all fronts that matters.

In a city that has started to spread out and turn more and more chaotic, senior citizens find themselves faced with situations they hardly imagined some time back. From picking up a packet of milk to visiting the drug store for medicine or even drawing money from bank, every aspect of life has undergone a metamorphosis for them in the new scenario. The widening chasm in relations and disappearance of earlier post-retirement practices of spending their time has them left with a certain void that is hard to fill.

In this backdrop comes the concept of housing exclusively designed for senior citizens. The unique idea is just getting introduced in the city and expectations are that it will soon become a key factor of the real estate designs in future. Few of the major construction companies have already started working in this direction and the city in a year’s time could be having exclusive senior citizens’ communities brimming with occupants.

The IVRCL Infrastructure and Projects has come out with ‘Vanaprastha’, an idea that will spread over 100 acres and more in six cities including Hyderabad. The project is expected to be ready within next 18 months.

“The family structure is growing smaller and in the urban middle and upper classes children travel away from home for livelihood, there is none to take care of the elders particularly in times of medical need,” says Rekha Reddy, Head, IVRCL Vanaprastha.

From laundry to dishwashing to a horde of other daily chores and security of a living on their own, the senior citizens usually end up lacking the kind of support they yearn for. Addressing these apart, right medicare facilities available at short notice, security aspects taken care of and a neighbourhood of their own ilk are some of the features in the new concept.

Then, there are also those who want to continue post-retirement days independently and not disturb the set patterns of life. These housing projects are emerging options for those who wish to retain their independent lifestyle with necessary paraphernalia to take care of their daily needs and also assure them of medical care when needed.

The proposed housing is to take shape as purely gated communities with maid services, grocery stores, pharmacy, emergency rooms and ambulance services. The individual home design too is small in nature given the fact that the elderly will find it hard to manage big spaces. “We are looking at manageable space for them and not large mansions which will be too cumbersome to keep and maintain,” says Dr. Rekha.

Not only in design, even the construction features are to be friendly in nature for them. These include anti-skid flooring, grip bars, railings wherever necessary, steps at a lower level, wider tread, brighter lighting and emergency power backup. The security envisaged, she says, include compound walls that are higher than average, CCTVs and security patrols. A host of recreation facilities suitable for the age, restaurants and driver-on-call facilities promise to make life that much more comfortable.

Another such community ‘Pratham’ has also been announced by Saket Engineers recently and Janapriya Engineers Syndicate has lined-up a scheme where it will set apart one block for them in their upcoming project ‘Arcadia’ at Kowkur.

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