Old -age homes come at a price

MADURAI: With the increase in the number of destitute elders, there is a need for more old age homes providing free boarding and lodging, say social workers. However, of the more than 50 old age homes in Madurai, very few of them provide free boarding and lodging.District Social Welfare officer Jayalakshmi said, “Th-ere are 36 registered old age homes in Madurai district. One in Karumathur is run with assistance from the State and another in Iyer Bungalow is run with assistance from the Centre.” According to social workers there are some other homes run by communities, which are not registered.“I have surveyed 53 homes in the district. Only very few of them provide services for free. Some others admit pensioners. There are some ho-mes which are not registered,” says Janet Vasanthakumari of Madurai Institute of Social Sciences.The Rajaji Old Age Home run by Guild of Service in Viswanathapuram provides free boarding and lodging. Those residing in the home said they were looked after well by the administrators of the home.