It may have nothing to do with respect an honor. It may be (as it is in the U.S.) that people are living longer and the cost of living and medicine have increased.

If a person’s life expectancy is 60-70, then it may be reasonable to expect a child to care for a parent. But if people are living to 75-85, that means (theoretically) that a married couple may have to care for two sets of aging parents and as many as four sets of grandparents. If both spouses are working full-time, then there is no care available at home. Homes for the elderly may be necessary when there are no other resources.

because india is finally getting enough food so the people are not starving to death before they get old

I suspect that it is a part of the change in Indian society. In the past, homes were multi-generational, with the younger ones looking after the older generation because they were all at home together. Now, with a burgeoning middle-class springing up in India, more and more people are working outside the home, and there is nobody to care for Granny. So….the rise of the nursing home will continue, I’d imagine.

PS the previous answer, re medicating people is not really true. I work in an aged care facility, and believe me, the people in there are less medicated than the average middle-aged person answering Q’s on this site. People go into homes to be cared for - not to be drugged. I do get cranky when people make sweeping statements like this !

PPS the question was about the change in Indian culture - I believe I answered that with a considered opinion.

I don’t think it’s just India!!!! The medical field is doping up our elders to the point they don’t know themselves!!! Back in the old days they were not medicated and tolerable!!! I understand your question and feel the pain because it’s hard to put them in homes!! Grandma and Grandpa were a fixture in all homes until the meds were pumped down them and changed their demeanor!!!