The elderly population is getting larger day by day. Globally, as of now, 10 per cent of the population is elderly, aged 60 and above. First time in 2050, the elderly above 60 years will surpass the number of children below 14. India is the second largest country in the world with the elderly, the first being China. In India, the highest number of elderly lives in Uttar Pradesh, around 11.7 million, followed by Maharashtra with 8.5 million out of the 77 million of elderly in the country as per the 2001 census. And now, it has crossed the 100-million mark.
life span is increasing every year. It is expected that during the coming 60 years, people must reach longevity of 100 years. The old amongst the olds, 80 years and above, will be 311 million in 2050. Centurians will be 2.2 million by 2050. The medical science has invented many lifesaving drugs these days. There are latest technologies in medical equipments, and the awareness regarding healthcare is increasing; all this is primarily responsible for the growing longevity of the seniors. We are definitely lucky enough to have amidst around us the precious seniors and their experiences and wisdom that can be availed by us any time required. We are also quite safe and protected by our seniors in the form of grandparents, in-laws and parents, relatives and neighbours.
But the question is: Do we actually care for our elderlyIJ Unfortunately, they are mostly left alone uncared, unloved. So, whom do we blame for this situationIJ We cannot blame the younger generation or their family members because of their busy life schedule, present-day job pressure and the high rising cost of living. life has become mechanical which means running after work, office and personal privacy, and in this condition the life of seniors can be well-imagined. Even people who are staying in apartments do not bother to think who is staying next door! In the big cities, friendship with the neighbours is very rare, and relatives and friends are busy in their own ways. Elderly people above 75 years of age are mostly housebound as they are afraid of venturing out due to bad traffic conditions, insecurity and dependence, fear of accidental fall, fear of crossing the busy roads, etc.
The Government of India has enacted legislation, The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007. The NISD and the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment are running geriatric courses on short-term and long-term basis. The Government of India adopted a National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP).
The policy has identified a number of areas for interventions, i.e., financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, education, research, welfare and protection of life and property, and role of media. lots of welfare activities have been initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. However, all this needs to be translated into practical acts to accelerate ensuring of the real benefits to the elderly.
Here, NGOs play a vital role in coordinating the actions of the Government and the civil society in developing an ideal society for people of all ages.
There are large numbers of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) running home nursing facilities bedside rendering assistance for the care of senior citizens in many parts of India. In Odisha, there are a very few NGOs working for the cause of the elderly. There is an urgent need of caregivers in the absence of a family, but it is still the family that plays the most important role in India in this respect.
To bring about a fundamental change in the social structure, the inner qualities of a man needs to be changed. The typical Indian culture and tradition rests on the pillars of mutual love, sympathy, fellow-feeling, cooperation, sublime brotherhood and selfless service.
Greed, lust, egoism, jealousy, pride, hatred and avariciousness should be expunged from the human heart. We have to shoulder the onerous responsibility of looking after the old, emaciated parents who are the embodiments of wisdom and knowledge. Then only can the lofty ideal of human welfare materialise.MADAT,113A,SuryanagarBhiubaneswar,Odisha
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