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| Nurture Your Roots! | | | Dr. Bhavneet Kaur M.D.S | 9/30/2010 11:37:20 PM |
| The General Assembly of UNO designated 1 October every year as the International Day of Older Persons through a resolution 45/106 of 14th December 1990. The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on 1st October 1991. Later, this day came to be observed in many countries and organizations. By designating a special day for the senior citizens, the General Assembly of UNO recognized the importance of older adults and their contributions to the development of human society. This day is dedicated to honour, respect and care for the elderly people of the world.
According to a World Health Organisation and Ministry of Health study on the Kingdom's elderly, senior citizens suffer from loneliness, boredom, anxiety and depression. They should have a life of fulfillment, health, security and contentment, and be appreciated as an integral part of the society. It becomes important for the Older Persons to be able to enjoy their remaining life in their own families and communities. UNO has approved Eighteen Principles for the well being of Older Persons which are organized into five clusters, namely, Independence, Participation, Care, Self-fulfillment and Dignity.
The form of elder care provided varies greatly among countries and is changing rapidly. Even within the same country, regional differences exist with respect to the care for the elderly.Traditionally elder care had been the responsibility of family members and was provided within the extended family home. Increasingly in modern societies, elder care is now being provided by state or charitable institutions. The main reasons for this change include decreasing family size and the geographical dispersion of families. Although these changes have affected European and North American countries first, it is now increasingly affecting Asian countries also.
The elderly population in our country increased from 12 million in 1901 to 19 million in 1951. According to an estimate India’s elderly population is around hundred twenty million (120) at present will reach around 177million in 2025. Presently India has the second largest aged population in the world
In Western and industrially advanced countries, pension schemes and social security system of the governments cover the economic needs of the old. However, in India the situation is quite different and the condition of the illiterate and poverty stricken older persons cannot be imagined. Nearly 90 per cent of the total workforce in India is employed in the informal sector. Thus, social security offered by pension schemes is available to only 10 per cent of the working population retiring from the organised sector. Many of the older persons who do not have any social security such as pension have to depend on the earning of their children for their sustenance and medical expenses.
Older people in India are unfortunately marginalized. The fast changing pace of life has added to the woes of the elder person. This has led to severe adverse effects on the status and well being of the elders Vis-a Vis entire society. There are instances of well off children disowning their parents or dumping them in old age homes where they are left to live a life of depression and deprivation. There are also examples of elderly persons living independently in larger cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and have become victims of robbery and even being murdered for valuables or to grab their dwellings.
Given the choice, elders always prefer to continue to live in their own homes (aging in place). Unfortunately the majority of elderly people gradually lose functioning ability and require either additional assistance in the home or a move to an eldercare facility. The children of these elders often face a difficult challenge in helping their parents and in making the right choices.
One relatively new service that can help keep the elderly in their homes longer is "respite care". This type of care allows caregivers the opportunity to go on a business trip and know that their elder has good quality temporary care, for without this help the elder might have to move permanently to an outside facility.It is important to realize that the family is one of the most important providers for the elderly whether it is actual care or a respite care. In fact, the majority of caregivers for the elderly are often members of their own family, most often a son/daughter or a grandson/granddaughter. Family and friends can provide a home (i.e. have elderly relatives live with them), help and meet social needs by visiting, taking them out on trips, etc. Areas of economic,social and health security can also be met by formulating better governing policies.
In every country older people contribute significantly to society. They may be taking care of grand children enabling their sons and daughters to go to work and thus playing an active part in community and family life. The youth of today has the energy and the power to bring the society forwards but the back bone of the youth shall always remain the value system bestowed upon them by their elders whose experiences and knowledge keep shedding light on virtues thereby guiding them to walk tall no matter how big they become. Older people need to be considered as the strong pillars of the society as they lay a strong foundation in making things possible to happen.
A massive awareness program should be launched jointly so that adequate services are provided for parental care by the family and the nation as a whole and more economic and health development organizations should come into play with volunteers in order to bring encouragement and brighten the life of an elderly person. Remember that older people are like ‘Doors to the past and windows to the future’. The knowledge and experience of older people is like a vast reservoir of resources which could be used for the betterment and welfare of the society. We need to treasure these precious jewels with love, care and responsibility to uplift our nation and our inner- self.
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