IRPL - An initiative for Defence Civilian Retirees

ICOPE Retiree Permanent Living (IRPL): A Healthy Ageing Project for Single Defence Civilian Retirees

 

Image Caption: Welcoming entrance of a senior living community in India, surrounded by gardens and accessible pathways incl Bldg Plan

Introduction

Retirement is all about living peacefully, staying healthy, and feeling cared for. For retired defence civilian employees—especially unmarried persons, widows, widowers, and persons with disabilities—finding the right place to live with dignity is important.

What is IRPL?

Image Caption: Retired civilians enjoying friendly conversation in a comfortable, green common area.

IRPL stands for ICOPE Retiree Permanent Living.  

Designed for retired or retiring defence civilian employees in India, IRPL provides a special community for those who are single, widowed, or Divyangjan ie., Persons with disability 

Key Features of IRPL

Eco-Friendly Homes

Image Caption: Buildings with slant roofs and solar panels set amid nature, inspired by the mess at Spread Eagle Waterfalls.

• Slant roof structures for pleasant and cool living.
• Solar-powered design.
• Located at altitudes of 600–1000 metres for a perfect climate.

Inclusive Living Spaces

• Two-person single rooms for privacy and companionship.
• Special attention and priority for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan).

Community and Support

Image Caption: Residents participating in light exercise, group activities, or prayer.

• Nurse stations for medical support.
• Prayer corners for quiet reflection.

• Driverless ambulance for quick assistance in emergencies.

Sustainability and Wellness

Image Caption: Women participating in permaculture, sowing seeds, harvesting, and caring for plants.

• Rainwater harvesting.
• Indoor air control with humidifier/dehumidifiers.

caring for plants. deweeding

What you are?

Meat-eater— sometimes eats meat, like chicken fish or others.

Flexitarian— Mostly vegetarian, but occasionally eats meat like chicken or fish.

Pesco-vegetarian— Eats fish but avoids chicken, beef, pork, etc.

Vegetarian— No meat, chicken, or fish; yes to eggs and dairy.

Vegan— Doesn’t eat animals or anything made from them, such as chicken, fish, eggs, or dairy products.

sowing seeds, 

harvesting

• Community gardens and permaculture.

• Regular involvement with local DIVYANGJAN schools or Homes.

• Opportunities for work-from-home and social connection.

Why IRPL is Special

IRPL is planned according to WHO’s ICOPE norms for healthy ageing, focusing on not just living longer, but living better.

• Functional ability and independence are top priorities.
• Community supports physical, mental, and social well-being.
• Personal freedom and companionship are always encouraged.

IRPL and the WHO ICOPE Guidelines

Image Caption: Nurse supporting an older retiree in daily activities, showing care and independence.

IRPL is inspired by WHO's "Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE)" which recommends:

• Regular exercise and healthy meals.
• Support for memory, mobility, vision, and hearing.
• Mental health care and social support.
• “Ageing in place”—living in familiar, welcoming environments.
• Accessible caregiving and community resources.

For details, see:

• Guidance for Person-Centred Assessment (2024)

• Guidelines for Community-Level Interventions

A Home with Heart

IRPL is about making retirement joyful, dignified, and full of companionship.  

Here, unmarried, widowed, or Divyangjan retirees find a home that supports their physical, emotional, and social needs.

Conclusion

With eco-friendly design, health care on site, and a strong community, IRPL redefines retirement for defence civilian employees.  

After a lifetime of service, retirees deserve too enjoy comfort, care, and dignity in their golden years.

[1] ICOPE Retiree Permanent Living (IRPL) https://badhanbanerjee.blogspot.com/2025/08/icope-retiree-permanent-living-irpl.html?m=1

Special Arrangements:

When cleaning tasks become a challenge for persons with disabilities and elderly people, it would be appropriate to make special provisions in IRPL regarding the following.

The below image illustrates the concept of permaculture zones, a design system that organizes a landscape based on the frequency of human use and energy needs. The zones are typically numbered from 0 to 5, with elements requiring frequent attention placed closer to the home to optimize efficiency. 

Zone 0: House - The center of human activity and management. 

Zone 1: Herbs, Edible Flowers, Salad Seedlings, Worm Farm - Items accessed daily or multiple times a day. 

Zone 2: Veggies, Fruit Trees, Compost, Chickens, Beehives, Pond, Bug Hotel, Garden Shed - Items accessed frequently, but not daily.

Zone 3: Livestock, Nut Trees, Grain and Legume Crops - Areas visited less frequently, where maintenance is minimal. 

Zone 4: Firewood, Wild Food - A semi-wild area used for foraging and gathering resources. 

Zone 5: Wilderness - A natural area left largely unmanaged, where observation and learning take place.