TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 THESIS TITLE: ......................................................................................................................................... 2

2 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 HISTORY: ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 SCENARIO OF NEPAL: .................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 EXHISTING OLD AGE HOMES IN NEPAL:........................................................................................ 5
3 PROBLEM IDENTIFIED: .......................................................................................................................... 6
4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:......................................................................................................................... 6
5 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION, IMPORTANCE AND RATIONALE .................................................................... 7
6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION: ...................................................................................................................... 8
7 METHODOLOGY: ................................................................................................................................... 9
8 SITE SELECTION ................................................................................................................................... 12
9 MAJOR PROJECT ELEMENT ................................................................................................................. 13
10 ANTICIPATED OUTPUT......................................................................................................................... 14
11 References ........................................................................................................................................... 15

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1 THESIS TITLE:
“SENIOR CITIZEN HOME”
(THE MODERN DAY OPTION FOR SENIOR LIVING)

2 INTRODUCTION
Background: Aging is not only a population phenomenon but also an individual reality and
experience developed in time. The aging of population is a universal, continuous, intrinsic, and
deleterious phenomenon, an inevitable result of declining fertility and advancing life expectancy.
It is distinct from the physical and mental retardation caused by any reasons like diseases, disability
or any superficial causes. Ageing has several dimensions. Physical disabilities, mental disorder,
characterized by loss of memory and less socialization are some of the formal characteristics of
ageing. During the ageing process, the living need change, the tired body start declining, and
chronic diseases start emerging, Inhabitation, mobility, and living isolation start becoming an
everyday problem and need for assisting help is the most. “Where will I live?”, “will my family
wants me?” is a steady thought in senior’s mind. Thus, to perform simplest activities senior start
recognizing the extra need for assisting (Bhatta, 2016).

AGEING SITUATION OF NEPAL, 1952/54 - 2011 (IN PERCENT)

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Source: CBS, census preliminary report, 2011.

The improvement in the medical and health services has considerably changed the demographic
profile of elderly persons in increasing each year and it has reached to 6.5 percent in 2001, as
compared to 4.9 percent in 1952-1954, in Nepal i.e. there were 1.5 million elderly inhabitants with
annual elderly population growth rate was 3.39 percentage (CBS, 2011). According to the 2011
census, the percentage of elderly population has increased to 8.1 percentage. Though the increase
is not so much compared to those observed for developed countries, it indicates the starting of
the ageing dynamics, which will have adverse effects on Nepalese social structure and economy
in the long run. This will emerge the problem of care of the elderly.

Ageing means giving up many things. An old saying goes: “When one door closes, another opens”.
The purpose of my thesis is to open new doors concerning the home for senior citizens to keep
the aged people healthy and socially active and to provide supportive care services to enable them
to live as in own family.

Senior citizen homes – sometimes called an old people home or old age home or retirement home,
although this term can also refers to a nursing home – is a multi-residence housing facility intended
for senior citizens. Typically, each person or couple in the home has an apartment-style or suite
rooms. Additional facilities are provided within the building. This can include facilities for meals,
gatherings, recreational activities, and some form of health or hospice care. A place in a retirement
home can be paid for on a rental basis, like apartment, or can be bought in perpetuity on the same
basis as a condominium. While various homes also exist that are run by government or welfare
and are targeted to those senior citizens that are abandoned or are economically weak. A senior
citizen’s home differs from nursing home primarily in the level of medical care given (Bhatta,
2016).

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2.1 HISTORY:
The concept of creating a space for retired people first started at Youngtown, Arizona, established
in 1954. It was first age restricted community. Where the development of senior citizen home
started since Roman times for the military officers who are retired from active duty. It is then
developed in medieval times in England and nowadays throughout the world. In the very
developed countries like Japan where the life expectancy of people is very high, and death rate is
very low, the population of elderly people are increasing day by day. So the importance of proper
housing and environment for elderly people is prominent.

2.2 SCENARIO OF NEPAL:

The scenario, which prevailed decades ago in the developed countries, is now taking its shape in
developing countries like Nepal. Records and evidence suggest that the origin and development
of old age homes of a kind in Nepal started since 1938B.S. However its actual establishment was
made in 2030B.S. Nepal has shown interest in this sector from the part of NGOs and civil society
(shakya, 2017).
Different activities from government, NGOs and individuals are being done in Nepal for the Senior
citizens. However, many of them are still deprived of proper care and support and need for
comfortable survival. In our country the old aged people who do not have anyone to look after
and no income of their own generally takes refuse in old age homes which are very different as
compared to western homes. These homes lack the very basic facilities. Nowadays, a different
type of trend has immerging in Nepal. Old people with economically strong background are
interested to live in such type of community where they can find the suitable environment and
community which can make their life easier, live independently and have private life as well as
have security which leads to the active social life of them.

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2.3 EXHISTING OLD AGE HOMES IN NEPAL:
In Nepal there are many old age Centre’s like Pashupati Briddhashram, Gaushala, Siddhi Shaligram
Briddhashram Bhaktapur, Senior Citizens Home, Godavari, etc. There are 103 registered old age
homes in Nepal, which are mostly looked as a conflict between family relatives and social values.
These existing homes provide shelter for old generation and are safe too but regarding
architectural features, the design and space organization is not according to their comfort level.
The design of such centers should focus on the function, mobility, flexibility as well as psychological
factors.
However, in the long run, with increased emigration of young generation, the essence of old age
Centre will be more of social need than just the result of family conflict. It will be more of the
essence as a retreat and recreational Centre for aged population to enhance their quality of life.

• Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization Nepal

-514 Sama Marga, Chardhunge, Naxal, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Ageing Nepal
-House 340, RamchandraMarg, Battisputali, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Siddhi Memorial Foundation Nepal
- Bhimsenthan, Bhaktapur-7, Nepal
• Pashupati Briddhashram
- Pashupati, Kathmandu, Nepal
(council, n.d.)

2.4 THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF OLD AGE HOMES:

(Acharya, 2007)

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3 PROBLEM IDENTIFIED:
“Will you not be staying home with us today?”, “you came very late yesterday and I couldn’t
chat with you because I was asleep. “You were gone for so many days, the home felt empty
and I missed you.” These are some of the things used to say by my grandfather to me with a
sad look upon my face during my childhood. With increase pace of life as I grew older it became
difficult to spend ample amount of time with him. In order to pass his loneliness he used to
visit nearby temple to spend his days with his friends which suggested the importance of day
care center for old people.
And luckily, I got an opportunity to explore this topic at my intern period , I was involved in
some of the residential units for senior citizen homes and that project really intruded my mind
with many provocative questions like the performance of every detailing ( ramp, hand rail,
bathroom, circulations, sill, layout etc.).
So after doing some research and senior consult, I find this topic more relevant to the present
context in Nepal as it is the increasing subject of today. So with all those curiosity and
provocative question I went to visit Pashupati Briddhashram. But when I enter the place I was
really disturbed to see all those degrading condition of that area and suffering faced by all
those user. The place hasn’t been maintained properly and the place wasn’t fulfilling its
objectives. The whole condition was deterioting and as an architect I felt so devastated so see
that environment.

4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

• To identify the specific problems and behaviors related to elderly people and know the
specific needs of elderly people to integrate with community, socialization, privacy,
independence and personal development.

• To make them of feeling “something to do”, basically to make them busy physically or
mentally all the time by designing home-like, affordable and supportive environment for
both at risk of social isolation and retarded senior citizens.

• To provide emotional security, companionship, personal security and safety with healing
landscape.

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5 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION, IMPORTANCE AND RATIONALE

The elderly today are facing the impact of changing sociological conditions either due to absence
of children or due to individualistic attitudes of their offspring once they marry and start family in
new social environment. Or, some of the elderly population is facing the problems because of their
offspring having less time to look after them, though they have enough love for them. Sometimes,
they need to shift away from their homes where the elderly live for years too. And they cannot be
taken to wherever their offspring’s go. And they cannot depend upon the government old age
homes either, as they are not well facilitated. So, these days well facilities ensured retirement
home is being great need for those who are economically strong and can afford all the facilities
required where they can live the life of dignity as well.

Of the current total population, elderly population constitutes 2.4 million (4.6% male and 4.5%
female) distributed across urban (24.2%) and rural (75.8%) areas. The sudden increase in elderly
population has strained the family unit to provide support for the elders, and has led to a
distressing situation for them for the lack of support. Despite such distressing conditions, the
number of senior will increase because 54.7% of the total population is within the age group of
15-59, which is reproductively active.

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Pic source: https://www.ifa-fiv.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IFA-presentation-20141.pdf)

It is clear that the proportion of elderly is increasing both in absolute numbers and as a proportion
of Nepal’s total population, traditional family norms and values of supporting the elderly are
eroding at an alarming rate. Hence, it is necessary to have a specialized environment solely
designed for them, catering for their required needs.

At the same Nepal is facing energy crisis and it is one of the major problems here. A green building
or development facility can easily achieve 50% reduction in energy consumption than
conventional buildings. This rate can be increased to 80-90% with the implementation of good
design and techniques. This can produce healthier space to work and live in. Green projects can
restore and enhance natural habitats with implementation of environment responsive buildings.
Hence building sustainable structures are one of the ways to approach this grave issue. In the
context of this project the sustainable approach, we will not only create consciousness in the
society but also help create a better and a healthier environment to live.

6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION:

Passing through the so called modernization phase, Nepal is now facing the problem of family
disintegration unlike the traditional family systems in which all live together under the single roof.
But nowadays the younger generations are neglecting and ignoring their parents. As a result, the
senior citizens leaved by them are increasing.

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Therefore need for strengthening family support and developing social support programs for the
elderly is recognized. It is related to the government work. However, to cope up with these
changes in family, one alternate can be ‘Senior Citizen Home’ to provide support and proper care
for elderly.

The main objective of ‘Senior Citizen Home’ is to keep the aged people healthy and socially active
and to provide supportive care services to enable them to live as in own family. The scenario,
which prevailed decades ago in the developed countries, is now taking its shape in developing
countries like Nepal (Yadav, 2011)

6.1 The main scope of the project includes the following:

• To study the problems and behaviors related to the old age and needs of the old aged
people.

• To design a housing for senior citizen considering their needs, problems and requirements
for the present and future to lead and active independent social life.
• To provide social life that keeps their mental and physical health fit.

• To give pleasant outdoor environment and surroundings to live in.

This project is mainly designed for elderly people according to their need. This project, in some
extent, will try to solve the problems regarding loneliness issues for the senior citizen but is limited
to residential units, day care center and communal facilities.

7 METHODOLOGY:

The research will follow a mixed method, qualitative/quantitative approach. The process includes
the project site identification, case study of the similar projects or building situation and design
program formulation. From the case study or research, the design concept is developed. The
process is graphically illustrated below.

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7.1 Literature Review

The part will comprise guidelines to be considered while designing any built forms. Thus, necessary
national and international standards related architectural books of standards to be consulted.
Further, to understand the different aspects and the value of the project book, articles, project
works, documents etc. related to the project is studied carefully. From the study we understand
what to know more from the case studies and what is required for the project.

Part I: Topic selection

(Theoretical framework)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

LITERATURE REVIEW

ANALYTICAL FRAME WORK

Part ii:

(Case Study Analysis)

CASE STUDY LATEST KNOWLEDGE

INFERENCES/ REALIZATION

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 PROJECT SITE ANALYSIS CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION

FINALISATION OF THE AREA DESIGN GUIDELINESS FINALISATION OF ACTIVITY

Part iii
(Design concept & development)

DESIGN CONCEPT

MASTER/SITE PLANNING ARCHITECTURE DESIGN AND DETAILS

FINAL DESIGN OUTPUT

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8 SITE SELECTION

As the site is for senior citizen homes, it must be located in a peaceful environment away from the
city core but with the transportation facility. Since old age is devoted to religious feeling the site
should encompass the religious site nearby as it is well known fact that elderly people in Nepal are
more fascinated towards religious activities. It should be away from noise and pollution of the city
for the health of the elderly peoples.
The site is proposed at Bungmati, which is far from the city core area yet connected through easy
transportation and have a quiet and beautiful surrounding environment that would offer a
pleasant environment.

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9 MAJOR PROJECT ELEMENT
This project is mainly designed for elderly people according to their need. This project, in some
extent, will try to solve the problems regarding loneliness issues for the senior citizen but is limited
to residential units, day care center and communal facilities.

1. RESIDENTIAL UNITS

INDEPENDENT UNITS
DEPENDENT LIVING UNITS

2. PHYSICAL WELLNESS AND DEVELOPMENT

NURSING UNIT
HEALTH CLUB
INDOOR/OUTDOOR SPACES

3. SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT

YOGA/MEDITATION SPACES
LABYRINTH LABYRINTH
4. INDOOR INTERACTING COMMUNAL SPACES

DAYCARE CENTRE
MEETING ROOM
MULTIURPOSE HALL
CRAFT/TRAINING ROOM
MUSIC ROOM
BAKERY AND COLD STORE
LIBRARY
CYBER
PLAYROOM

5. OUTDOOR INTERACTING SPACES

PLAZA
WALKING/JOGING TRAILS
COVERED/SEMI COVERED RESTING SPACES
PATIOS PATIOS
COLLONADES
OPEN AIR THEATRE

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6. LANDSCAPED GREEN LAWN

7. PARKING

8. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

STAFF QUARTERS/GUEST ROOMS

ADMINISTRATION
(pokhrel, 2013)

10 ANTICIPATED OUTPUT

After all thesis literature review and case studies, I think I can smoothly precede my design topic.
I expected to give my every effort in fulfilling this project and this senior citizen home to be a
marvelous instance in architecture. The collaboration of social, religious, therapeutic landscape
will be the main feature for this project.

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11 REFERENCES
Acharya, P. (2007). Senior Citizens and the Elderly Homes: A Survey from Kathmandu. Dhaulagiri Journal
of Sociology and Anthropology, 9.

Bhatta, A. (2016). Senior citizens' home.

CBS. (2011). Census preliminary report.

council, s. w. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.swc.org.np/index.php

pokhrel, p. (2013). thesis report.

shakya, A. (2017). Senior citizens' homes.

Yadav, R. K. (2011). AGEING POPULATION IN NEPAL. Academic Voices A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6.

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