Give Seniors a New Sense of Belonging

A 72-year-old retired government employee, who wished to remain anonymous, has urged the government to take immediate steps to establish affordable retirement housing for elderly people, saying old homes often fail to provide the privacy, healthcare and independence that senior citizens need.

She said she had spent most of her working life serving the government and had expected to spend her retirement years peacefully with her family.

But her life changed after the death of her husband seven years ago. Her two sons and one daughter now live abroad with their own families and responsibilities.

“I understand their situation, but that does not make old age any less lonely,” she said.

She is currently living in an old home and said she was grateful to have a place to stay. However, the old home does not provide the kind of environment where an elderly person can live with dignity and independence.

According to her, many old homes are overcrowded and lack proper healthcare, privacy and recreational facilities. There are also often not enough trained caregivers to give individual attention to residents.

“For many elderly people, the biggest problem is not food or shelter. It is loneliness, insecurity and the feeling that they have become dependent on others,” she said.

She believes Bangladesh needs a new housing model for senior citizens. Retirement housing, she said, should not be treated as an old home where elderly people are simply kept under care.

Instead, retirement housing should be a planned residential community where retired people can live independently in their own apartments or small houses.

Such communities should have healthcare facilities, pharmacies, emergency medical services, security, clean surroundings, walking spaces, gardens and community centres. There should also be opportunities for social activities, cultural programmes and exercise.

She said home-care or assisted-living services should also be available for residents who need additional support.

The retired government employee believes many retired government employees, teachers, professionals and middle-class families would welcome retirement housing if it is offered at an affordable price.

“Many of us have spent our lives working for the country. We may have pensions or savings, but we cannot always afford expensive private facilities,” she said.

She urged the government to allocate suitable land, provide policy support and encourage private housing companies to develop affordable retirement housing projects.

According to her, public-private partnerships could help reduce costs and make such communities accessible to middle-income elderly people.

Although her children live abroad, she said she does not want to spend the rest of her life feeling that she has nowhere to belong.

“I want to live independently, meet people of my own age and receive help when I need it. I also want my children to know that I am living in a safe place, even though they cannot be beside me every day,” she said.

She said Bangladesh is changing as families are becoming smaller, young people are moving abroad and people are living longer.
“We do not want to be treated as helpless people. We want a safe home, companionship, healthcare and dignity,” she said, urging the government to take the initiative before the need becomes even greater.