Abstract Widowed women constitute a majority of India’s older female population. Increasing numbers seek shelter in institutional homes. This qualitative study examines the relocation of older widows into not-for-profit old age homes in India, focusing on their motivations for moving and on resilience practices they employ in the new environment. The research took place in Mangalore, Karnataka, involving in-depth interviews with 15 widows (aged 60 and above) residing in four homes, along with interviews with five staff members and a focus group with ten ageing experts. Findings reveal that financial scarcity, accompanied by multi-level neglect by family and community emerged as the primary trigger for widows’ relocation – a pattern rooted in specific gendered vulnerabilities towards existing social structures, economic conditions and cultural commitments. The decision to relocate was often initiated by the widows themselves as a means to escape severe neglect. Post-relocation, the widows experienced improved living conditions and expressed deep appreciation for the care, routine, and companionship available in the homes. These institutional environments, despite limited resources, provided safety and social support that mitigated loneliness and enhanced the women’s emotional resilience to experienced stress and trauma. The study’s insights underscore the importance of viewing free of charge old age homes as a potential supportive environment for vulnerable older women, especially in the context of a rapidly ageing population, decreasing social support and rising numbers of older widows. It also highlights the need for further examining how older, vulnerable women maintain a sense of functionality and dignity in later life.
Merten et al. (Mon,) studied this question.