Crimes against senior citizens have seen a manifold increase in the recent past. Left at the mercy of domestic helps and neighbours, they fall an easy prey to such crimes. As a result, they have developed a life full of danger, tension and loneliness..
CJ: Bhawana Pandey
IT IS an age-old tradition to consider an elderly person as a respectable member of society, an asset, a wise counsellor and not a burden. An influential person, devoting his or her time and talent for the welfare of the entire neighbourhood is still a sought-after presence. Gradually, due to various reasons like evolution of small family and nuclear family concepts, charm of peaceful but introvert life converted the image of that loveable local guardian to that of a financially sound recluse trying to live a independent life. As a result, society has lost a valuable presence amongst them and these senior citizens have developed a lifestyle full of dangers, tensions and loneliness.
Becoming a stranger within a neighbourhood, they started a process of dependence on domestic helps. This dependence developed to over-dependence and with no interaction to other families in vicinity and relatives, these people threw themselves totally at the mercy of these culturally, ethically and financially inferior domestic helps. No wonder, a moment comes when these domestic helpers decide themselves or due to motivation by some hardcore criminal to loot their master and if circumstances demand, they might turn violent or even murderous.
Some times, even servants of long standing and good records are also persuaded by the criminals to assist them in such crime.
The concept of community living is one of the solutions to protect the senior citizens. Under this concept, there is a direct interaction between society and senior citizens. These people have lifelong experiences and the society must be benefitted by it. In return, the young and able must take care of them so that they are not forced to live an isolated life.
Another popular solution is that of maintaining senior citizens homes. These homes are run keeping in mind the basic amenities such as medical help, kitchen, library and security, etc especially with reference to elderly people. People opt to live here by paying their expenses.
Basically it is the responsibility of government to look after and provide financial assistance to such progammes. The roles of non-governmental organisations ( NGOs) is also important.
Abridged
SOURCE: LifestyleMerinews
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