OLD AGE PROBLEM IN INDIA

Our old aged elders are facing problems across the country. Population ageing is a global issue. Ageing is a universal irreversible process. WHO defines those aged 60-74 years as elderly. In India, the age of 60 years has been adopted by the census of India for classifying a person as old. There are around 81 million older people in our country. It has been estimated that around 40% of them living with their families face abuse in one way or other and one among six comes to light. In old age, a person’s physical strength lowers down and mental stability decreases. Alzheimer’s is common in old age which makes them even not recognising their own family sometimes. There arises isolation, economic insecurities, idleness, lowered self-esteem among them. They become dependent and require physical, mental and economical support. On becoming dependent, it is when the children began to see their parents as a burden. They start abusing them, humiliating them or are even thrown out of homes. Some dump their old parents in old age home or some of them just wander out of their homes. There are incidents where these elderly couples are forced to sell their house and get helpless in case of property disputes. 

Economic dependence is a major factor. It is caused because of retirement or because of their declining ability to work or shifting of management responsibilities related to property or finance to children making them economically dependent. Many of these parents suffer in silence. Being weak from failing health and other aspects, elders are vulnerable to abuse. Because of misused financial and other resources, they face emotional, physical and mental abuse in different forms making them isolated and insecure, a feeling of powerlessness, inferiority and depression. It is our duty to take care and responsibilities of our elders. We should extend our hand and help out those who are suffering from this cruelty. Proper counselling should be provided. To restore self-confidence we should encourage the elderly to take active participation in family and community activities that would be beneficial to them or their families or environment. Elderly who are capable should be encouraged to engage themselves in some economically productive matter. There are social welfare grants for the incapable ones that at least provide their basic needs.

Our Government has many welfare methods that support the old age people in our society. The government of India approved the National Policy for Older Persons for acceleration welfare methods and empowering the elderly. Maintenance and the welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 provide legal sanction for the rights of the elderly. There are provisions for the old age pension, old age homes, old age security by our Constitution. There are laws for those abusing their parents. Assam Government made a new law in which if children don’t take care of their parents will face salary cuts. Most importantly, the elders must be made aware of their rights.