Introduction
Old-age homes provide shelter and care for senior citizens who are unable to live independently. However, staying in an old age home often comes with costs which need to be paid by the residents or their families. The policies regarding payments in old age homes can vary across different facilities.
Government Policies on Payment
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provides grant-in-aid to NGOs running old age homes under the ‘Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)’ scheme. Currently, the ministry supports 502 senior citizen homes across India this way.
Old age homes receiving grants under this scheme are mandated to provide facilities like shelter, food, healthcare and entertainment to indigent elders free of cost. The homes follow standard norms set by the ministry regarding living space, nutrition, healthcare etc. The government monitors these homes to ensure compliance.
Payment Policies in Private Old Age Homes
While government-aided old age homes provide free accommodation, most privately run homes require payment from the residents. The fees charged can vary greatly depending on the facilities, location and target customers. Some key factors are:
Accommodation
Private old age homes usually charge monthly fees for providing lodging and boarding. The fees can range from Rs. 5,000 per month for basic dormitory accommodation to over Rs. 1 lakh for luxury single rooms.
Healthcare
Many old age homes have tie-ups with doctors for regular health checkups. Residents may have to pay additional charges for medicines or hospitalization.
Special Care
Extra assistance needed by residents for bathing, physiotherapy etc. may involve additional fees. Memory care for dementia patients also costs more.
Miscellaneous Charges
Laundry, recreation activities, AC etc. may be charged separately. One-time deposits and admission fees are also levied in most homes.
Payment Sources
The monthly fees for private old age homes are usually paid by the senior citizens themselves if they have adequate pensions or savings. Children of the residents also often contribute. Some other sources are:
- Old-age pensions from government schemes
- Health insurance plans covering elder care
- Corporate CSR funds allocated to old age homes
- Donations from philanthropic organizations
Conclusion
The policies for payment in old age homes aim to cover the costs of accommodation and care for the residents. Government-aided homes provide these facilities free of cost to the needy while private homes charge fees depending on their offerings. With the elderly population increasing, clear payment policies are essential for the smooth functioning of old-age homes.