Tuesday, 20 September 2011

They've Set Up Bonds With Old Age House


 None can deny that relationship matter. It protects us from the dog-eat-dog world. Love and friendship act as buffers to the horror of human competition,but it's lacking today,affecting the elderly people.
Doctors, Philosophers and Sociologist have been pointing to the fact that they have fallen prey to a clash between two generations.
They have said this is the reason why the status of elderly people is changing, causing loneliness to them.
The city, where number of old age homes is rising is also witnessing this problem. Also, a research work done under under the guidance of Asha Shukla, HOD of Centre for Women Studies. says,"Bhopal tops in cases of old age abuse," One such lonely lady is 72 years old Moni says, "i am happy here,enjoying my life. I dont want to disturb my granchildren's studies" May be she is happy, but one can very well fathom her mental agony and pangs of loneliness she's suffering from.
Like Soni, there are thousands of senior citizens, living in old age homes in the city.
With lump in his voice, Rajesh, who is living in old age home, says,"I was very happywith mywife, son and daughter-in-law. But after the death of my wife,my son and daughter-in-law changed their attitude towards me."
"They told me to leave the house,as they can't afford me anymore," he adds.
"May be my wife was working as maid for them. So they're keeping me. Thats why i was forced to live in the old age house after her death. Now i have my own world . i have lots of friends who are alone like me. We are enjoying our life."
Physical problem too, sometimes forces one to live in old age homes. Children of many people are settled abroad. Such people too feel isolated and choose to nlive in old age homes. An old couple, Mahesh and Mitali are living in Lions Senior Citizen Home, They say, "We have only one son and who lives abroad,so we have chosen to stay here, enjoying our life."
There are three big old age homes in the city-Anand Dham, Karunalay and Lions Senior Citizen Home.
Dr RP Mishra, president of Anand Dham says," Our purpose is to provide shelter to the homeless, right now we have 22 men and 16 women."
There are three catagories of people who come to live in the home. Those who are homeless come stay till death. Secondly those who whi live temporarily return to their houses if the situation permits. Thirdly, those who come for only for day time return home in the dusk.
The4 is appointed with health care and yoga training facilities. Thosev who are3 above 60 years are eligible to stay there. Karunalay, where ten people live, is basically meant for the Christian. The Lions Senior Citizen Home is appointed with free homeopathic treatment, games, yoga and other other facilities. This is basically a paid old age home which charge between Rs 2500 and Rs 3000 per month. Prem Lata, manager of the home says " The people come here from various district like Guna, Gwalior, Sagar and Jabalpur. They are living here happily, enjoying the company of others." Blame it on generation gap or economic liberalisation or lack of education at a time when the elderly people need special care, they have to leave their houses only to live in old age homes-broken. Emotional isolation it's true, breaks down both body and soul.
"Bridging gap between the two generations is needed, Says Aasha Shukla Hod of the Centre3 of Women Studies, Bhopal "  She further says," The elderly people have fallen victim to this generation gap."
Post retirement is the best part of life, but at this age, they are being neglected, Those who are young say about the elderly people, 'Buddha Sethiya gya hai." this kind of abusive language should not be used against the elderly people, she says. She also says only education can help solving this problem, as after five years 40 percent of the population will be old. A research work done under her guidance says the generation gap is the main reason for rising number of old age homes.She has also started an old age care certificate cource for the young generation.

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