I think old age homes are advisable because there can be many potential dangerous situations that could occur if old people lived alone at home.
1) Old people could injure themselves and may not have the ability to ask or even get help.
2) Old people are forgetful! One situation that I thought would be a good example is about my friend whose grandma lives with her. Her grandma forgot to turn off the stove and a potential fire could have burn down their home while they were sleeping.
3) Old people are totally dependent as stated above. They are not as strong and healthy as they used to be so they need as much support as they can to help them live their day to day lives.
The only downside I can think negatively of retirement homes are that they can be expensive and you have to deal with strangers (but you'll get to know them eventually hopefully)
