Old Woes

Vasudev Dalal 76 and his wife Tara 76 jumped to death from their eighth-floor Kemp's Corner residence on June 14. Their suicide note sai...

Vasudev Dalal 76 and his wife Tara 76 jumped to death from their eighth-floor Kemp8217;s Corner residence on June 14. Their suicide note said: 8220;Because of constant abuses and harassment from our son and daughter-in-law, we are ending our lives.8221;

This shocking incident is a pointer to the fear and sense of insecurity that has gripped the aged, not only in Mumbai, but the whole of India. Surely, there are other cases similar to that of the Dalals, but just because they haven8217;t hogged the headlines, so far, it would be wrong to turn a blind eye to them.The situation is critical, and it highlights the need to formulate a national policy for senior citizens, if we have to give them anything to look forward to.

Nobody can escape old age. The problems associated with it are innate in the mechanism of one8217;s physiology. Fact is, everyone of us will have to face senescence, if we8217;re fortunate enough to live up to that age.Old age resembles childhood in many ways due to a senior citizens8217; dependency, weakness,helplessness and need for care, tenderness, love, support and sympathy. However, it is embarrassing to note that while many of us show excessive care and concern for our children and wives, only a handful of us bother about our aged parents and relatives.

I have identified several problems that worry senior citizens. Prominent among them are:

Lack of preparation for old age: Senior citizens have to be prepared for the period when they will be staying away from active engagements. This preparation is psychological, physical, mental, emotional and also financial. Hence, the need for counselling senior citizens on this point. Vocational guidance and training in post-retirement work is also necessary.

Lack of engagements: I consider a senior citizen to be the fountainhead of wisdom and experience, and society should derive benefit from this fountainhead. That8217;s why I feel senior citizens should be involved in social service, census work, data collection, surveying, bill collection, adulteducation, child education, painting, cottage industry, art and craft, counselling, arbitration, etc. Above all, this work should provide monetary gains to the old.

Loneliness: Encouragement should be given to senior citizens to stay in groups. In homes for the aged, a couple is often separated because there are different wards for men and women. Lack of companionship in one8217;s old age can be very painful, and the death of one8217;s spouse can only aggravate the this sense of loneliness.

Sickness: As is well-known, the aged suffer more than younger people from sickness and disease. Body resistance to sickness gets reduced with age, and geriatric medicine comes into play. Timely medical check-ups and care, diet control, mild exercise, including a morning walk, meditation and a bright and cheerful environment will go a long way in improving the life of senior citizens.

Lack of medical aid: Special dispensaries, medical centres and hospitals should be opened for senior citizens in the city andsuburbs. This apart, a mobile dispensary, which can reach people8217;s homes for medical examination and treatment, should be started for the old. Doctors and medical practitioners have a vital role to play in this connection.

Financial problems: Senior citizens8217; tendency to hand over all their savings, including provident fund and gratuity, to their children should be discouraged because it brings dependency in its trail. Also, a pensionable scheme8217; should be made applicable whereby a part of the provident fund can be converted into pension. A fixed sum as a pension every month will help an old person remain self-reliant and live his/her life with dignity.I also advocate the family pension scheme8217; which should be applied in the event of a spouse8217;s death. In addition to this, pension should be sanctioned and disbursed by the Central Government to all those senior citizens who don8217;t have a source of income at all.

Reservation of seats: In local trains, State Transport ST buses and BEST buses,special seats should be reserved for senior citizens. It is our responsibility to see that the old find travelling bearable, especially during rush-hour time.

Neglect from the younger generation: The rude behaviour of, and disrespect shown by, youth can be immeasurably painful for the old. This disrespect can take the form of refusal to offer financial help, wilful neglect of elders8217; advice and complete boycott of social gatherings.

The younger generation, too, is buffeted by a plethora of genuine problems, and cannot devote sufficient time to elders. The limited income of youngsters gives rise to several financial difficulties, and a crisis of space is ever-present for those who live in small homes. I would like to open up a dialogue between senior citizens and the younger generation and try to bridge the widening gap between the two, so that both groups live with dignity and in peace and happiness.

Feeling of helplessness and fear of death: A remedy can be found for this through propercounselling, advice, lectures and meditation.Recent advances in medical science have lengthened the life-span of human beings, and the proportion of the aged with relation to that of the young is on the increase.

This is just the time for the Indian government to formulate a national policy for senior citizens. Let the old celebrate the ageing process, not fight it.

S K Choudhury, former sheriff of Mumbai, is the chairman of the National Council for Senior Citizens of India.

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These are some of the organisations elder citizens could contact for assistancen College of Social Work8217;s extension centre Nirmala Niketan Institute will conduct a seven days residential training programme for citizens above 55 years of age at Goregaon in September 1998. The programme is aimed at helping them handle their changing roles effectively and contribute to society in an effective manner.

The programme, which will be in English, will cost Rs 750, inclusive of lodging and boarding. Contact 873 2343 formore information.

National Council for Senior Citizens of India provides boarding, medical and employment facilities to senior citizens. While they charge a minimum of Rs 750 per head for lodging and boarding, the elderly people can avail of the employment bureau facility free of cost. Contact 874 8078/ 873 0773 for more details.

Justice Chainani Elders Home provides four-occupancy, double-occupancy and single rooms for Rs 660, Rs 900 and Rs 1,250 respectively. Besides entertainment like movies, bhajans are also conducted and the elders are taken on excursions to places like Khandala and Lonavla. Contact Ashok Shahani, superitendent, on 560 0033n Dignity Companionship for Senior Citizens 8212; 415 6559/ 416 2708.

Sir J J Dharmashala 8211; 307 9838

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Salvation Armymen Home 8211; 307 1346.n Ashadaan 8211; 309 7700n Stranger Home Thee 8211; 372 5559n All Saint Home 8211; 377 8357.