Pune: For a number of urban seniors, ageing is no longer just about managing health — it’s about managing loneliness.At 81, Vidya Kalyanpur found that the hardest part of living alone in the city was not illness, but the silence after her sons’ video calls from the United States ended. “It was not that my children didn’t care,” she says. “They were just far away.”After a fall two years ago left her vulnerable, her family decided she should move into an assisted living facility — a shift she now calls life-changing. “Here I feel secure. There are people around, help is available anytime and I don’t feel alone,” she says.Her experience reflects a broader shift underway in urban India, where assisted living — once viewed with hesitation — is gradually gaining acceptance among ageing families.With nuclear households becoming the norm and children increasingly moving to other cities or countries for work, many seniors are finding themselves living alone, often managing health and daily routines without any assistance.“Earlier, seniors mainly worried about illness. Now, loneliness has become an equally serious concern,” says Dr Vijay Rhayakar, CEO of Athashri Homes, an assisted living centre in Pune.He says assisted living is often misunderstood. “It is not about families abandoning parents. It is about creating a safe, supportive environment where seniors can live independently with dignity while having access to care when needed,” he says.At Athashri Homes, Vinata (82) says she initially resisted the idea of leaving her house. Her two daughters live in the US and encouraged her to consider assisted living after she began facing health and safety concerns while staying alone. Her husband passed away a few months ago.“I felt I would lose my freedom,” she recalls. “But after moving here, I realised it was the opposite.”Her days now include group exercise sessions and social interactions with fellow residents. “There is no stress about cooking, housekeeping or emergencies. That mental peace itself makes a big difference,” she says.For 73-year-old Archana, arthritis made daily life increasingly difficult. “Even simple things like climbing stairs or cooking became painful,” she says. “My children live in different cities and were constantly worried.”At the facility, she now receives physiotherapy support and assistance when required. “The biggest change is emotional,” she says. “At home I was alone most of the day. Here, there are always people around.”Operators say families earlier approached assisted living centres mainly after medical emergencies. Now, many are planning proactively.Nayan Somaiya, one of the founders of Utsavlife Assisted Living in Pune, says the shift is clearly visible. “Families today understand that elderly care requires professional systems. It is not always possible for working children to provide round-the-clock supervision at home,” he says.He adds that loneliness is emerging as a major concern. “Many seniors are medically stable but emotionally isolated. Assisted living offers routine, engagement and a peer group, which makes a significant difference.”At Utsavlife Assisted Living, residents Namrata and Pratap Pawar say safety and structured support were key reasons for moving in. “I was initially unsure,” says Namrata. “But once I settled in, I realised the environment helped me become more content in life.”Pawar, who moved from Ahmedabad, says immediate access to assistance offers reassurance. “I enjoy my life after retirement; I searched for a good assisted living centre and chose Pune to settle down. I feel more relaxed knowing that medical help is available if required. That gives everyone peace of mind.”Another major driver is dementia and chronic care support. “Dementia patients require structured routines, trained caregivers and continuous supervision,” says Somaiya. “Assisted living ensures safety, besides reducing stress on families.”He notes that perceptions are gradually changing. “Ten years ago, families hesitated even to discuss assisted living. Today, they approach us while planning retirement.”Monthly charges for assisted living in cities like Pune and Mumbai range between Rs40,000 and Rrs60,000, depending on services, limiting access largely to middle- and upper-income groups. Still, operators say enquiries have increased steadily over the past few years. “Families are planning senior living proactively rather than waiting for a crisis,” says Somaiya.For residents like Vidya, Vinata, Archana, Namrata and Pawar, the move has brought reassurance in different ways — medical support, community interaction or simply knowing help is nearby.Vidya says emotional comfort is most important. “My sons feel relieved knowing I am safe. And I feel peaceful because I am not alone,” she says.
