In a society where one of the first lessons a youngster learns is to respect and obey the elderly in the family, touch their feet as often as possible or at least when he/she takes leave and returns from a trip, where every young girl moving to her husband’s home is told to take care of the in-laws and treat her husband’s family as her own, the growing phenomenon of retirement centres must come as a bit of a surprise.A lot has happened in the past few decades to make this necessary. Changing cultural perceptions, starting with the increasing assertiveness of the younger couple in how they bring up the kids, to eating out, to managing finances, all contribute to family clashes. The elders no longer set the rules – they are asked to follow those set by the younger generation.The elders’ inability to play a sub-ordinate but visibly useful role in running the family adds to the friction. Significantly, the happiest elderly are those who still own homes, have a regular income and travel at will, those who wisely put money away for old age rather than pin their faith on their kids.
Twenty years ago, when elders began to feel abandoned and helpless, they went to old age homes out of despair. In the face of poverty and cruelty, the twin attacks that often brought on depression, they felt forced to leave their son’s/daughter’s home and seek shelter elsewhere. In every interview residents of free old-age homes narrate similar stories: “I spent all my money on the kids’ education/marriage/business. On my son’s advice, I sold the house and moved in with him. I wrote my will bequeathing my property to my son. My daughter-in-law has no time for me. I’m just a servant in the house.” They left because they had no option. The senior centers then were often low cost, subsidized and poorly managed. Moving to these dreary dumps of discarded parents was a last resort, an act of desperation.
Today, there is a new breed of retirement homes. Financially successful NRI’s have the means to make their parents comfortable, and the need to assuage the guilt in not being there with them. And while the aging parent would like nothing better than living in a joint family, surrounded by children and grandchildren, there is also the realization that living in India, among familiar surroundings and friends may actually be preferable to leading a lonely existence in freezing climates where everyone in the house is busy with their own lives.
Affluent Indians now seek the independence and the responsibility-free comforts of living in post-retirement homes that are specially created to suit their needs. And they seem to like what they get and who they enjoy it with. There are landscaped gardens to stroll in, temples, well stocked
libraries, hygienic kitchens and the company of people of their age who share a common culture and similar tastes. The added attraction is the fact that many of these centers are not too far away from major cities, where the residents have had active work lives.
My mother moved into a retirement home last September. She had been scouting around for one, having decided that her 4 children’s homes in three Indian cities were too restrictive to her taste. We suspect it is because mom is a sprightly 83, having lost none of her abundant zest for life.
Mom discovered Srimathi Sundaravalli Memorial (SSM) Trust Residency during a conversation with Mrs. Jaya Seshan, wife of the former Chief Election Commissioner of India. When she said she and her husband were planning to move into this place, mom was convinced. SSM Residency would meet her exacting standards in food, accommodation and company. She decided to do a recce before casting the final vote.
On her visit, mom grilled owner Mr. Santhanam, manager Mr. Raghavan, the all those in charge of the various facilities. She checked out the main office, the distance one had to cover to reach it and the entertainment center. She even spoke to the gardener. She liked their (practised?) answers. She inspected the cooking area and approved of the modern methods and the gleaming stainless steel equipment. The cook seemed efficient. Mom then had a meal. She liked both the food and the service and decided to give the place a try. A centre that served excellent meals couldn’t be too bad.
The finance works this way: You pay a refundable deposit of a few lakhs and there is a reasonable monthly amount that you pay for food and rent. Anything beyond is extra. Mom chalks up a hefty telephone bill, giving us – and scores of her city friends – her weekly campus news. And remember, she signs up invoices at the Angadi. But her electricity bills and TV cable charges are pretty low. She comes to the city for her bi-monthly medical check-up. What she has now is an AC-ed suite, TV, personal telephones, food that she is used to. Large areas for walks, entertainment minus the hassle of running the apartment/house.
After nearly six months, mom looks good. She has put on weight. In India, this is a sure sign of happiness, if not well-being. She comes to visit occasionally but has become so comfortable with her new home that she returns quickly.
According to HelpAge India, 70 million Indians now fall in the senior citizen category. The number is likely to touch 117 million by 2025. Senior centers run on business lines are booming. Here are some examples.
[1] Ashiana Housing on the Delhi-Gurgaon Road. One/two/three bedroom apartments are priced between Rs 9 and Rs 20 lakh . There are 640 units. The complex offers a 4.5 acre park, a dhaba, a convenient shopping area, doctors on call, maid and driver on demand and bathrooms with grab rails.
2] At Classic Kudumbam, with a built-up area of 50,000 sq ft near Sholinganallur (near Chennai), you make an initial deposit of Rs 10 lakh (this after being screened through a painstaking process), of which Rs 2 lakh is non-refundable. It entitles you to membership in the club with a swimming pool, massage parlour, physiotherapy an hour of internet weekly. Rooms are available on a twin-sharing basis; they are air-conditioned and have a TV set, fridge and a telephone.
An open-air theatre screens films on weekends; the nearest hospital and medical services are 2 km away. Interaction with residents includes moonlit dinners and bhajan sessions. Plans are afoot for dependent living units (where you can live with a dependent), and assistant living units (for the physically infirm).
[3] At Wellness Communes near Chennai single bedroom homes cost Rs 6.75 lakh, double bedroom homes are for Rs 8.75 lakh. There is an additional charge of Rs 1,100 for maintenance and security.
[4] SCR has a cluster of cottages along East Coast Road Chennai. A 200 sq ft unit could cost around Rs 1 lakh.
[5] The Naya Jyoti in Chennai is a 42 unit outfit with an independent kitchen, a community hall and a library. Naya Jyoti’s Noida (near Delhi) Centre offers 24-hour medical help, a bookshop, a bank and a post office among its facilities. Apartments cost between Rs 6.5 and Rs 10 lakh and there is a security and maintenance fee of Rs 3,100.
[6] Amar Nensey’s Bhairavi, built around the Eagleton Golf Course, Bangalore, has a mini recreation club, a hospital and access to the 18-hole Eagleton Golf Course. Apartments cost Rs 12 lakh onwards.
[7] Housed in Basavangudi near Bangalore is a retirement complex owned by H N Reddy, a former member of Bangalore Development Authority. You pay a deposit of Rs 1 lakh, and a Rs 7,000 monthly charge. You can hire a full-time cook, vegetarian meals, and have a doctor on call for your four-bedroom apartment which houses a TV and a PC.
[8] Sharan in Navi Mumbai has an interest-free deposit scheme, most modern amenities from independent living quarters, doctors on call and has a monthly charge of Rs 6,000-10,000.
Water, No Ice 
Hi Viji,
Very glad to know that your mom is doing well at SSM and has gotten to know my mom. My mom went into paeans of praise about Diwali there after taking a dig at the simple way I celebrate it at my place. That’s my mom!
Yeah, the food is good. Yeah, they won’t make vazhaithandu, but outside of that there are no complaints. My mom loves going to th temple too, especially at night when they distribute milk as prasadam after dedicating it to the gods. 🙂
Geeta.
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16 DEC 2010
Hi,
SSM s very good for every one, best in the globe.
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Nice to know about SSMR, we are just about finalized in settling down my father-in-law who lost his wife. Both me and my wife felt that he should not ne alone at Bangalore. My wife visited SSMR a couple of times and felt very happy with the sourroundings and the setup.
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The correct web address for SSM home is:
http://www.ssmhome.in/ssmrhome.htm
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Nice to hear from all of U. I live in NOIDA and was looking for a place in Chennai for a couple of months. SSM seems to be good. Will do a survey when I visit the place after a couple of months.
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Let me share:- Lalita (78) and me ( KS Krishnan. 84) heard of SSM-Residency two yrs ago from Indira (whose mother SitaRajgopal lived in SSM-R three yrs ago) when things have been going well with us without any thought of any Sr.Citizen Home//
As we have been given to exploring (not exactly poking one’s nose),one day we said :’Let us visit SSM-R’,which we did in March 09 //After first hand exposure and experience of four days with the vibrant and accomplished Residents,diligent and caring Staff and a ‘concerned’ Management,we decided we should book a Two – BR- unit (which was then avalable) and moved in May ’09 after convincing our ever-caring son and dr.in.law . . . and
we havn’t regretted ever since ;Rather,each day we are glad we are here //
But I must also add that it is a matter of personal choice,requiring understanding and adjustment,whereby each one has to decide for oneself after full exploration with an open mind. // Best Wishes,dear Readers //
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i just chanced upon to see /tead this blog .
I pained to hear that what prevents us to take care of a oneor max 2 individual -old ,is lack of love. It is a geat pleasure to be around the elders and give support for their physical and emotional problem , if we have enough generosity in our heart. we feel burdened by the responsibility and get them setteled elsewhereby shelling out few bugs( inside worrying about them) shows the we are stre,ssed and first we ,their family members s,hould get rid of our emotional problem and increase our patience and express the love in action towrds the elders.i would suggest eveyone just to undergo a ART OF LIVING PROGRAMME and find out yourself ,you are love and we have no problem satisfying others, as we are abundant,. I am seriously requesting all of you, to uindergo the programme ,and also make the elders to undergo, so we can create a lovable family. like our ancestors and skillfully manage any amount of family /social pressures smiling. this is for sure.. thank you.. let us dream for a We all belong to One Family… vasudaiva kutumbakam..
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Hi my mother is still staying at SSM and still liking it after all this time…
I would have known if something is bothering her… apart from the usual… rising costs and her health and habit of overeating at times… 😉 Any good place have to and do make changes over a period of time to benefit all concerned and I am happy my mother chose SSM
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Hello Ms.niranjani,
How are you doing? Before advising others on undergoing ART of Living programme, I suggest you may need undergo some kind of programme where they will let you know not to judge people just because their elders are at senior center. I understand your pain that some individuals have neglected their parents resulting in old age home…but pl. do not be judgemental on everybody! Have a lovable day! Viji
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Ms Niranjani, Hope are you are doing good. Has it every occured to you that our elders have tried to live with us in overseas countries and it does not suit their liking. It was my mothers choice to stay in SSM, she felt life was a bit too restrictive here in Australia for her and wanted to live somewhere where she can have best of everything. She is not neglected by any token. She visits us whenever she wants too. My mother is extremely happy at SSM. So please don’t be judgemental , its about time you start looking at different perspective on senior homes. Perhaps you need to go on a programme called how to live effectively and happily as a senior in the current world and achieve best of the both western and our Indian society. You have a fantastic day!!!! Geetha
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My mother Lalitha Amrith,86, moved to SSM Residency/ Thamiraparani Geriatric Block a few weeks ago . We were most impressed by the warmth and efficiency of the induction process and my mother has settled down very quickly. Compliments to Mr. Premkumar, Manager, and his team and also the nurses and attenders who are on call round the clock. As she is in the geriatric block, all meals are brought to her room, so she misses the interaction in the dining room so if any of your parents would like to drop by and chat with her she would be most appreciative, she is in Unit G-1.
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block, all meals are brought to her room, so she misses the interaction in the dining room so if any of your parents block, all meals are brought to her room, so she misses the interaction in the dining room so if any of your parents would like to drop by and chat with her she would be most appreciative, she is in Unit G-1. would like to drop by and chat with her she would be most appreciative, she is in Unit G-1.
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Hi Jay, I will certainly ask my Mum to drop by. She usually does. I will give her my Mum’s name and ask her to go by and say hello. I say this over and over, My mum is the happiest person there and she is very happy by the warmth of all staff there. Your mum is certainly in best place.Rest assured.
Geetha
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Thanks Geetha for your post of 2 May, my mother seems to have settled down very well but would certainly enjoy good company especially thos of happy people.
Jay
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Just as I was feeling desperate and searching for a nice old age home for my mother in Chennai, I came across this site. Thanks to Geeta Padmanabhan for writing in such detail and for everyone’s comments and information. I wonder how much it costs for my mother to join this institution. It sounds like such a nice place and hope it is affordable. I am very very concerned about my mother who is 81 and I live in the US and she needs to find a safe place to live the rest of her life in peace.
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The SSM website is not working and no contact information. How do I contact them? If anyone can provide a phone number, it will be of great help. I need brochures and information about this place. How can I get them? Thanks in advance
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Try the website at http://www.ssmhome.in Landline number is +914422792003/04
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Hi Saras, thanks for those kind words. “Affordable” is a relative term, changing from person to person. Since the time my mom joined the place the rents and other expenses have been hiked. But my thinking is that, compared to other places offering such facilities, SSM might score high on value withour burning a huge hole in our savings. After some five years, my mom who is 85 doesn’t have a big complaint. The food suits her and she has made a lot of friends. She loves the long walks and the visits to the temple. This total safety and freedom of movement is something we, her children living in the city, cannot even dream of.
Geeta.
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Thank you Geeta for the very prompt response. I am guilt ridden at being unable to bring my mom to US and make her last days comfortable. We are senior citizens ourselves and one knows the problems of health care and expenses here. I am waiting for this Monday. I shall then call the place and find out the details. Thanks Jay for providing the phone number. You people are great here and it is a Godsend that I found this site.
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Hi all, Just to give an idea of how good SSM is. 2 weeks ago my mum accidentally put the phone off hook. I was trying for about 2 days and no answer. I emailed them from my work and within 5 minutes the phone was back on. A staff member rushed to Mum’s apartment and sorted the issue for me.There are absoulultely no words to thank everyone in SSM. They are doing such a wonderful work.
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Thanks for sharing Geetha, SSM is indeed performing above and beyond accepted norms. Saras, hope you were able to contact SSM and obtain the required info.
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We live in HYDERABAD. I have recently booked a unit. In the last three years,my sisters had seen the place at least three times with somebody or the other. They were impressed. Hope to get an allotment before the end of 2011. Looking forward with some trepidation since shifting to a new place/environment is not that easy. One also has to leave behind most belongings.
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Hello all:
We are considering SSM Home for my father who has Parkinson’s disease. He needs a personal attendant with him at all times. I know that they have round-the-clock care for people like my father but what he needs is someone that is not simply rotating between people but someone who can be with him at all times. Does anybody here know if the home provides such an amenity? I understand that there will be an additional cost for this which is ok with me.
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Can anybody tell how to go to SSM from the Chennai airport or Central Railway Station?
What directions can I give a taxi person besides the address to help reach their without errors? Thanks for any help!
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Mr.Jayant, goto http://www.ssmhome.in. You will find a map showing the route from the airport to the home.You go straight from the airport towards the KANYAKUMARI route. After TAMBARAM, you will come to NEW PERUNGALATHUR after which you will have to leave the main road – turn right into a ralatively narrow side road (which in fact joins the velachery road). After some distamce you will come to the RESIDENCY.
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Ms.MEENA, by now you may have received an answer to your query..if not..the RESIDENCY has a personal attendant service (expensive)-two shifts 8am to 5pm and 5pm to 8am. The charges were/are Rs.7,500/- per shift for the current year.
Wonder why the earliest/founders of this blog have become silent. Wish they would continue to update the others about how their parents etc., are carrying on. Whether any misgivings have arisen and so on
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Mr.Jayant- a CORRECTION-, goto http://www.ssmhome.in. You will find a map showing the route from the airport to the home.You go straight from the airport towards the KANYAKUMARI route. After TAMBARAM, you will come to NEW PERUNGALATHUR after which you will have to leave the main road – turn LEFT into a ralatively narrow side road (which in fact joins the velachery road). After some distamce you will come to the RESIDENCY
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Ms. Parvati, in regard to your post of 14/8, I thought SSM had done away with personal attendants. The residents of Tamiraparani Geriatric Block, where my mother (86) resides, have access to a common pool of attendants. Residents requiring more dedicated attention are accommodated in the Dhanvantri Medical Block, at-least this is what we were told when my mother joined about 5 months ago. Incidentally, she is quite happy with the care and the food.
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Based on my experience, I am taking the liberty of providing some extra clarification in regard to the directions kindly provided by Ms. Parvati. Directly opposite Perungalathur Station there is a police station and the left turn from the main road has to be taken at this point. Drive slowly, because there are many buses parked near this turn-off and it is easy to miss the side-road. Once you are on the side-road look out for a sign-board which says “SSM Residency” / “GKM Engineering College”, take that side-road ( left again) and SSM is about 5-7 min drive at the end of a not-so-good road (at the end of the road is the college, and just before that a path leads to SSM).
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Thanks, Raman.
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Thank you very much for the directions, Parvati and Raman!
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Mr.Raman, your directions were very instructive and detailed.
Thank you.
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Can somebody kindly tell what are the nearby hospitals, in case of emergencies, and if they specialize in any specific areas? How about dentist, ophthalmologist, etc.? Are there “popular” doctors nearby, or do people simply choose to go to whosoever they know?
While at this, what other things do one needs to be typically concerned about to help their parents settle in? On financial side, what are the popular banks nearby?
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@Ramani, while SSM Residency has doctors and nurses available to attend to normal medical needs including a dedicated medical block which is a quasi-hospital, the management may, in some cases, need to transfer a patient to a hospital outside. They don’t have any tie-ups with particular hospitals so it is incumbent on the next of kin to stipulate particular hospitals if they so desire. There are some in the Tambaram area, but as the scene is constantly changing , some homework has to be done to obtain current information. You can specifically query SSM manangement on these points.
While all transactions including purchases at Angadi Mart are on a non-cash basis ( residents sign chits which are included in the monthly bill), SSM helps residents in their banking needs, refer to the website for details.
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My Sister in law is in Global hospital undergoing lever damage treatment. My co-brother is a throat cancer patient in 70+ We are looking for a suitable home care which can also give 24 hr personal nurse care facility for my sister in law
it can be in chennai or in Banglore
Pl advice
N MOHAN
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Tara, Thank you for the information.
Can the manager of this page please spend a few minutes to remove all unwanted posts?
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Anyone has any comparison b/w clasic kudumbam and SSM?
Plz let me know.
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@ Padmasree, SSM is better, Classic Kudumbam is too expensive and they are known as “10 percenterers” because they tack on 10% surcharge on everything. The so-called clinic near the Classic home provides no services at all, they just refer you to an expensive hospital for even minor ailments. Basically, a completely commercial place, no concept of welfare. Having said that, Classic is better furnished than SSM and is more accessible, only 30 min from Chennai city centre whereas SSM is over an hour away even in off-peak traffic. Also, SSM is getting very big and one wonders whether they will have the human resources to maintain the standards.
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Orang:
thanks much.
if u dont mind, plz can u drop me an email to – padmasree.seshadri@gmail.com.
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@Padmasree, I sent an email to your email id 2-3 days ago.
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I am looking around for a place for an old relative and this was one of the first useful hits on Google.
Hopefully SSM has the same standards now as when this post was first published (2008). To many complaints about the website – i found this link to be working http://www.ssmhome.in/
Although i could not find any information about their latest (any) costs. Like the other comments here – i find this a bit unsettling. Any comments from those whose parents are still living there?
As mentioned above, cost or affordability is relative. If everything one wishes for is made available, then one does not mind the cost so much. I am just wondering how much the rent and other costs have gone up over the years?
Classic Kudumbam on the other hand are pretty transparent and have given their tarifs on their website. OF course this does not mean anything, since my understanding is that the tarifs could be hiked whenever.. But still some transparency will be good. This could just be some sloppy administrative detail on the part of SSM, but given that these homes target NRIs who depend on the Internet for information, its surprising!
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VijiM – My mom is living since Aug 2010, both of us are very happy about service, location and facilities. Though it could be bit expensive, but comparing to raising cost you would totally agree. I call my mom everyday to check on her well being- all I hear about all mami’s socializing and my mom mentioning each of their names and being friendly. Last visit, I was able to put the name s of each mami’s my mom mentioned and was able to relate easily. Staff are very courteous…any issues if you take it to management is taken care right away! Hope this helps.
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This forum has become very quiet. Will some of the regular contributors give us an update on SSM, is it still maintaining its standards or is it slipping in the face of larger numbers. I am sure finding staff with the right skills-set, especially to deal with the older, infirm residents, must be challenging.
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Hello Mr. Raman, my mom calls every other day and so far there have been no complaints. Oh yes, she hasn’t called the last two days, but that may be because she is busy with the Ramanavami celebrations.
The charges have been increased, but the quality of service remains high. So all iz well!
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Thanks Ms Gita Padmanabhan, that is good to hear, some increase in the tariff is inevitable as costs are going up all the time, but what we are all interested in is level of service, cleanliness and tasty/healthy food. SSM seems to be scoring well on all these points.
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SSM has a good reputation to-date but the managing trustee now seems to be devoting all his resources to the housing project. Will SSM suffer as a result ? He is offering very high rates of interest to investors, double your money in 2 years etc., is this believable ? Also, a friend of mine told me that while the staff are caring and no tips are allowed, there have been some reports of valuables being pilfered especially in the blocks populated by the old and the infirm.
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@latha, I can assure you that SSM continues to be well run and its staff are very honest. I don’t know where you got your information. However, I am also quite surprised that the regular posters on this forum have chosen to remain silent, please do speak up.
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I heard from two different families — one mine and another parents of my friend, that the food quality is going down by leaps and bounds. I sincerely hope that the situation changes for the good soon, especially given the high fees.
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