EMPYREAN SCHOOL
SESSION - 2024-25
NAME OF THE STUDENT – Nakshatra Dandekar
GRADE – XI-A
ROLL NUMBER- 01
SUBJECT - ENGLISH (CORE)
Code - 301
TITLE OF PROJECT - ‘Exploring Quality of Life
in Old Age Homes’
MADE BY- Nakshatra Dandekar
SUBMITTED TO- Neelam Singh
Pg. No: 01
[Link]. Contents Pg. No
1 Acknowledgment 3
2 Certificate 4
3 Objective 5
4 Material Required 5
5 Action Plan 6
6 Exploring Quality of Life in Old Age Homes 7-11
7 The Portrait of a Lady 12
8 The Present Scenario 13
9 Questionnaire 14
10 Report on Questionnaire 15
11 Conclusion 16
12 Student Reflection 17
13 Future scope of Old Age homes 18
14 Bibliography 19
Pg. No: 02
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my thanks of gratitude to my English teacher
Ms. Neelam Singh, who gave me this golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic ‘Exploring Quality of Life in Old Age
Homes’, which helped me in research work and I also came to know
about the lives of people living in Old Age homes.
Pg. No: 03
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
This is to certify that _______________ student of
class 12th has completed the research on the project
under the guidance of Mrs Neelam Singh during
the year 2024-2025 in a partial fulfilment of the
English AISSCE-2025 practical examination
conducted by CBSE.
Teacher’s Signature ________________
Examiner’s Signature ________________
Principal’s Signature _____________________
Pg. No: 04
Objective
The objective of this project is to explore and evaluate the quality of
life experienced by residents in old age homes, with a focus on
understanding their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This
study aims to identify factors that contribute to or detract from their
overall quality of life, such as access to healthcare, social
engagement, mental health support, and living conditions. By
analysing these aspects, the project seeks to provide insights into the
needs and challenges of elderly individuals in institutional care
settings and to suggest potential improvements that could enhance
their daily experiences and well-being.
Material Required
NCERT Hornbill Book Class XI, YouTube, Notebook
Pg. No: 05
Action Plan
The entire project has been done by following different steps and
consultations with teacher, experts and peers. This project aims
towards understanding the lives of residents living in old age homes.
For this project I first read and evaluated our lesson the ‘Portrait of a
Lady.’. I along with my class made decided to visit an old age home
nearby to ask the residents some questions regarding the questions.
Next, I researched further about the lives of the elderly and analysed
the collected data for derived a conclusion.
Pg. No: 06
Exploring Quality of Life in Old Age
Homes
Old Age homes are residential facilities that provide housing, care
and support to the elderly. It tailors to the needs and preferences of
older adults. The goal of old age homes is to enhance the quality of
life and promote well-being for seniors in their later years. These
facilities provide many services. They include shelter, meals,
healthcare assistance, and recreational activities. They also include
social support. Some of the reasons that the number of old age homes
are increasing in India are listed below:
The need for old age homes is increasing. This is because
families are becoming smaller and often live far apart. Fewer
relatives are available to care for older family members.
Seniors need support and assistance with their daily tasks.
Even if money isn’t a problem, families may still find it hard to
provide the care their elderly loved one’s need.
In the past, it was common for adult children to care for their
aging parents. However, as younger generations become more
independent, they may not see it as their duty to care for their
elders.
So, old age homes play a crucial role here. They fill this gap by
offering a supportive environment, where seniors can get the care
and attention they need to live well in their later years.
Pg. No: 07
OBJECTIVES:
Old age homes have many objectives, including several key
principles. These aim to improve the lives of elderly people.
Providing Shelter and Care: Old age homes offer a safe and
comfortable living environment. Residents receive personalized
care and help as needed.
Promoting Socialization and Community: Getting older can be
lonely. But, old-age homes are like big families. Residents can
make friends and enjoy each other’s company. They organize
fun activities and events to keep everyone engaged and
connected.
Ensuring Safety and Security: Safety is a top priority in old age
homes. Residents may have specific health and mobility needs.
They have things like emergency buttons and handrails to
prevent accidents. Staff are always around to lend a hand if
needed.
Supporting Health and Well-being: Old age homes care for
residents’ health. They do this by providing healthy meals,
access to healthcare, and wellness programs. They want
everyone to stay happy and healthy for as long as possible.
BENEFITS & POSITIVE ASPECTS:
Old-age homes provide essential support for seniors and their
families. Seniors receive professional care according to their needs,
ensuring safety and emotional well-being. These features promote
social connections, reducing loneliness.
In summary, old age homes create a nurturing environment where
seniors can thrive independently.
Pg. No: 08
DRAWBACKS AND NEGATIVES ASPECTS
OF OLD AGE HOMES:
A person who is placed in an Old age home will (naturally) feel
depressed; This makes sense because they are (usually) leaving
the only home they have known for years along with all their
memories.
Old age Home Admission Most people consider nursing home
admission as the final step before death. This is usually true
because they do not return to their own homes once they arrive.
Many suffer from loneliness. Visits from loved ones are rare for
some.
People lose independence once in a nursing home. It only gives
the impression that their life is ending. They lose their self-
esteem as well as independence. Everything they do now is part
of a routine.
If they are pious, they can no longer go to their favourite place
of worship; Instead, they must attend to the service rendered by
the retiree.
Pg. No: 09
CHALLENGES FACED BY OLD AGE HOMES:
Despite the growing importance of old age homes in India, they
are not without their challenges. Many of these homes are in a
dilapidated condition not equipped to provide adequate care
and support to the elderly.
Moreover, the stigma associated with living in an old age home
is a significant barrier for many elderlies who may be reluctant
to leave their homes and families.
Furthermore, chronic diseases are on the rise. Many old age
homes lack infrastructure and expertise in providing adequate
medical care to elderly residents. The ones with better services
can be out of reach for many.
Also, living in an old age home is not equivalent to living in
one’s own home, leading to psychological distress.
The Indian government has taken several measures to promote
the welfare of the elderly, including the National Policy on
Older Persons 1999 and the Maintenance and Welfare of
Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007.
However, without stringent regulation and oversight, the
proper functioning of old age homes becomes a challenge.
Reports of abuse, neglect, and poor living conditions in some old
age homes have highlighted the need for greater scrutiny and
regulation by the authorities.
Pg. No: 10
LIFE AT OLD AGE HOMES:
Companionship: Old age is that phase of life where people get
surrounded by loneliness. Their children are away from them,
living their own life. Old people also don’t have many occasions
where they can meet their grandchildren. In old age facilities,
these seniors can readily find companions their own age. When
they have a companion who is their age, they feel more at ease.
Health Care: Old age homes are like homes for people who are at
the last stage of their lives and are not in a condition where they
can take care of themselves. Medical help is available to them all
the time in old age homes.
Caretakers: In old age, the human body gets weaker and makes it
difficult to even perform day-to-day activities on our own. Old age
homes provide help by assisting caretakers who can help elderly
people in any situation.
Pg. No: 11
The Portrait of a Lady
The theme of *"The Portrait of a Lady"* closely resonates with the
experiences of elderly individuals in old age homes, exploring
universal themes of aging, isolation, love, and the quest for dignity.
Khushwant Singh’s story focuses on the deep connection between the
narrator and his grandmother, capturing the emotional bond,
wisdom, and rituals that bring her life meaning. This theme aligns
with the experiences of the elderly in old age homes, where
individuals often seek similar connections, routine, and respect for
their life stories and values.
In the story, the grandmother’s life revolves around spirituality,
routine, and her bond with her grandson, symbolizing her sense of
purpose and identity. However, as time passes, the narrator’s shift
away from her reflects a larger, bittersweet truth many elderly
individuals face: a changing relationship with family as younger
generations grow distant. Similarly, many elderly residents in old
age homes may experience separation from family, and they often
find new routines or relationships within the home to recreate a
sense of purpose. This need for connection and routine highlights a
shared human desire for respect and meaning, regardless of age.
Both themes also underscore the idea of acceptance and resilience in
the face of aging and loss. The grandmother accepts her changing
role in the narrator’s life and approaches her own death with
calmness, illustrating an acceptance of life’s inevitable changes.
Likewise, residents of old age homes often develop resilience and
adapt to new environments, forming bonds with peers and caregivers
that offer them support. This parallel highlights the importance of
empathy and understanding for the elderly, showing that whether in
a family setting or an old age home, a meaningful and dignified life is
sustained through connection, respect, and compassion.
Pg. No: 12
The Present Scenario
The current situation of residents in old age homes reflects a mix of
challenges and improvements. Many elderly residents face emotional
and social isolation, particularly when family visits are infrequent,
leading to feelings of loneliness and, in some cases, depression.
Health issues are common, as most residents live with chronic
conditions and limited mobility, relying heavily on caregivers who
may be overextended in under-staffed homes. Financial limitations in
many non-profit and government-supported facilities can affect meal
quality, healthcare access, and recreational offerings. However, living
in a community of peers provides emotional support and
companionship, helping some residents feel a sense of belonging and
reducing isolation. Many old age homes offer basic healthcare, a safe
environment, and a structured routine, which is beneficial for
residents who struggle with independent living. Some facilities have
introduced mental health support, including counselling and therapy,
as well as technology to help residents stay connected with their
families through video calls. Efforts are also being made to improve
recreational programs, incorporating activities like exercise classes,
storytelling, and arts, which help engage residents mentally and
socially. Despite these advancements, achieving a high standard of
care and emotional support remains a challenge in many old age
homes, where resources and staff may not always meet the needs of
the elderly residents.
Pg. No: 13
Questionnaire
For the research, the whole group together prepared a list of
questions that we asked the elderly at the Old Age home. They are as
follows:
What is your daily routine like?
What activities are organized here? And how often
Do you have any favourite activities or hobbies here?
How do you feel about the level of social interaction here?
How do you spend your free time?
Pg. No: 14
Report on Questionnaire
To get to know more
about the lives of the
elderly, the group after
preparing the list of
questions, we visited
Jagruti dementia care,
Senior living home and
assisted care. It is a
senior care home where
elderly with mental
illnesses are also living.
Their routine usually
starts at 6:30 in the
morning at the common
room, they have their
morning tea with
biscuits and talk to each
other and after that they freshen up for the day. They have their
lunch at around 1 in the afternoon and enjoy their free time with
their friends. Then, they have dinner. They end their day with
Ramayan, Mahabharat or reading some books and go to sleep by 8.
During their free time, they usually talk with each other, play carom
listen to music on the radio sometimes they even sing together. They
like to listen to Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. This place
usually organizes many events and activities for the residents living
there. The elderly living there are good friends with each other. They
like to play carom together, sing songs and make jokes as well.
Pg. No: 15
Conclusion
In this project, I related the theme of ‘The Portrait of a lady’ with the
project topic that is, Exploring Quality of Life in Old Age Homes. The
lesson depicts the evolving relationship between the author and his
grandmother, from being close together when living together to being
distant as the author grows. Similarly, many elderly residents in old
age homes may experience separation from family, and they often
find new routines or relationships within the home to recreate a
sense of purpose. This need for connection and routine highlights a
shared human desire for respect and meaning, regardless of age.
Although Old age homes in face many challenges like not having
proper infrastructure to assist the elderly, they also need to face the
stigma, because which they are reluctant to leave their homes. This
also causes them psychological distress. But they also have benefits
such as, these residential facilities provide them with essential care
needed, they can also help the elder residents socialize with others,
they also provide them with a safe and secure environment.
This project also helped me understand that the lives of people at
their homes with their family live a different life than those living in
Old Age homes. These facilities often organise events for a change in
their routines.
Pg. No: 16
Student Reflection
Pg. No: 17
Future scope of Old Age homes
After facing many challenges, many old age homes have made efforts
to improve the living condition for the residents. They are listed
below:
Focus on Mental Health: Some old age homes now emphasize
mental health support, offering counselling, therapy, and group
sessions to help residents cope with feelings of loneliness or
loss.
Technology for Family Connections: Facilities are increasingly
adopting technology, like video calls and social media, to help
residents stay connected with family, especially those who live
far away.
Enhanced Recreational Programs: More homes are introducing
diverse activities, such as exercise classes, arts and crafts,
storytelling sessions, and cultural programs, to stimulate
cognitive engagement and enjoyment.
Overall, while some old age homes have improved to offer a
supportive environment with resources for health, engagement, and
community, many still face challenges related to isolation, resource
constraints, and limited access to specialized care. There is a growing
recognition of the importance of mental, emotional, and social well-
being in addition to physical care, but achieving these standards
remains uneven across facilities.
Pg. No: 16
Bibliography
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senocare-services
[Link]
complete-guide/
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