Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Elders need justice' that was published in Newsband

Elders need justice

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was observed just recently. We hear news about elders being denied care and aid, abused and attacked. The problems of the elderly are primarily economic. They are also affected by Health-related problems. Lack of safety and security are added perils, especially in urban settings.

It is sad to know that there are in India a big number of elderly who are subjected to some form of abuse or neglect, abandonment, and physical, financial or emotional abuse, often by their own family members. Many are left lonely. Even crimes are committed against the elderly.

There should be proper focus on this issue. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, placed a legal obligation on children and relatives to enable the elderly to live a normal and dignified life. Senior citizens who are unable to maintain themselves financially shall have the right to apply to a maintenance tribunal for an allowance from their children and relatives. The Act also has provisions to ensure the state takes care of them.

There should be a comprehensive policy and programme made for older persons. There should be free healthcare, more old age homes, other kinds of affordable housing, and financial assistance in the form of pension and other payouts, especially to widows, have to be provided for. The right of an elderly citizen to live a life of dignity must be respected. Programmes to enhance skills and knowledge in geriatric care are needed. Infrastructure facilities are essential.

Social life of men and women in old days was ideologically designed and every body followed it religiously. Medical Science has eased our life but it has also prolonged our life span. We have abandoned balancing idea of Vanprasthashram wherein after discharging all family responsibilities aged ones used to disown everything that is material in nature and followed spiritual advice of departing away from near and dear. But the same is not the case today. Today even old people have the right to be ambitious and pursue their ambitions like their younger counterparts.

Most of the problems for the elderly ones occur when they are beyond 75. They need attention because they are helpless due to aging and health problems. Unfortunately at this age and beyond, the close relatives and family members are also old and have their physical and mental problems. It becomes a strain on them to look after elders. And the longevity is going higher and higher and hence the society as a whole is facing this problem.

In such a situation, either government or social service organisations duly funded by all could evolve a practical solution which could help majority of the real elders needing attention in all aspects.

A 'demographic revolution' has been taking place in the world population as the number of elderly people has been on a rapid growth. National policy for older people introduced in 1999 and revised in 2005 has not been able to achieve the purpose of social, judicial, political and economical empowerment of the older population in the country. The parliament made a landmark development by enacting the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens act, 2007. The act legally binds the children and the relatives (in case there are no children) to assist the older people.

Everything would be alright if the care and upkeep of elders became the responsibility of government. Corporate houses should also assist in this effort.