Some people need to find a new home at an older age especially those who live in cities. Why they look for it and who looks for it is not the topic of today's discussion. The need is there. The need is drastically increasing. After 2050 all city dwellers over 60 will be expected to move to community living. Currently the number of elderly people in India is about 10% which will reach 20% in just 25 years by 20250.

The word old age home is an obsolete word which still has a negative meaning in Bengal. To be precise it can be called senior living community living or retirement living. It is gradually becoming an industry.

There are only 21000 senior living facilities in India both large and small which meet the needs of only 1% of the elderly. Many people need community living. Some are looking for it some are afraid to leave their homes due to shame. Many people don't know how to search - they are looking at Facebook YouTube Google or newspapers.

In West Bengal a license to open a drug store or nursing home has to be obtained by following Govt. procedure. Here a trade license is enough to open a so-called old age home. The government does not have a complete list of senior living. It is very easy to cheat on the elderly. That is what is happening. Elderly people are in danger.

We have organized a discussion group where we will discuss how to choose the right old age home or senior living what are the hidden costs in old age homes what services are available whether it is legal or not the types of senior living and many more. The question-and-answer session is being held on September 18 2025 from 3 to 6 pm at Rabindra Tirtha near Biswa Bangla Gate Newtown.

Anyone can come. The ticket price is Rs. 100 (about Rs. 130 including tax platform fee etc.).

THIKANA SHIMLA

A Welfare Organisation for the Elderly

Ashoknagar Near Habra N 24 Parganas – 743272

WhatsApp: 093308 43394

E mail: thikana_shimla@yahoo.co.in

www.thikanashimla.in

www.tshe.in

www.facebook.com/thikanashimla

11.7.25