Nearly 70 per cent of the elderly in India face isolation. This and other findings were revealed in a National report released by the HelpAge India on elder abuse in India here on Friday.
Activists from various fields discussed various problems that elderly people face in the country. Various cases of elder abuse along with solutions were discussed during the programme. In the report it was highlighted that 55 per cent of caregivers in a family felt that caregiving was a burden. Nearly 60.7 people felt fatigued and frustrated toward their older relative and some never felt happy. About 39 percent of the elderly had no monthly income and therefore were dependent on their caretakers. Further, 45.3 per cent spouses in the country on whom the elderly are dependent, do not love the person who is dependent. Nearly 70 per cent of the elderly face isolation in India. On average a family spends nearly Rs 4,125 per month looking after the elderly. Addressing the people during the event activist Prem Bahukhandi said, “It is important to mention that our country has a good population of elderly people. Japan, the world’s third-largest economy faces a challenge as its young population declines and the number of elderly citizens increases. The country is dealing with the issue by giving employment to these people. Our country is on the verge of facing the same problem in the coming years. It is very important that we develop such policies which can engage our elderly population. Also senior citizens should think of not being dependent on anyone and also not to be self centric.” Addressing the gathering during the event vice chancellor of IMS Unison University, Ravikesh Srivastava said, “Taking care 0f elder people is not a responsibility but an opportunity to learn from them.”
Head of the Mass Communication department of IMS Unison University, Sushil Rai said, “Our education system has created a lot of difference which has changed the present scenario.