World Elders Day – October 1 – The change has to start at your home

By Jayashankar VS

Nowadays we have different days dedicated for every one and everything in our lives! We have Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Elders Day and even a day for cheesecakes! Strange! Superficially it is a bit weird to celebrate these days in a year but take a closer look. These days can be good reasons to smile, share and enjoy. But is that all? Or do these days convey a deeper significance? I believe so. Let us see an example. The World Elders Day is celebrated in India on October 1 every year. Traditionally, this day is held to honour the elders, give gifts, talk and spend quality time with them. In a nutshell, do everything to make them feel happy! But hey! Think again! Shouldn’t we be doing this to our elders all through their lifetimes? Well, that’s the whole point! It is like eating, and earning money! The only requirement is our willingness.

Why World Elders Day?
Let us put into perspective the need for a separate day like World Elders Day. There is one simple reason: if you are one of those few already taking good care of your elders at home then this day could be spent to reiterate your pledge to continue to do your best, or probably look back to check if you have done enough or make amends. And if you are one of those looking for some reason to start, then this day could be the day!

To begin with, do we celebrate World Elders Day at our homes?
The World Elders Day has a dubious distinction! Today, it is nothing but sheer pain to see that this Day which ought to have been celebrated inside our homes with our elders is celebrated more outside in old age and destitute homes. The reason: today there is an increasing impatience among young men and women and this has forced many elders, willingly or unwillingly, to move into homes for the aged. Frankly speaking either way we are committing the heinous crime of forcing out someone who spent his entire lifetime for us. It may sound clichéd yet it is a fact.

Where are we going wrong?
All of us know that we will be elders one day and join the ever increasing percentage of elderly citizens in the world’s population! And yet some of us continue to show gross indifference and disrespect to our elders in our own families and in the society! Each of us might have countless reasons, logics and excuses for this transgression but I guess this could be due to a combination of many problems. Let us try to put into a right perspective these various problems and what we could do to keep our elders happy.

Psychiatrists believe that fulfilling the physical, psychological and emotional needs of elders is the key to keep them healthy and happy. Intentional or unintentional neglect, impudence and maltreatment inside the families and in the society often lead to high levels of stress among elders. This in turn could lead to various physical ailments, psychological and emotional disorders and even cause death in some cases.

Experts say that elders are like children. Just like little babies, the moods of the elders swing, sometimes too quickly not allowing us enough time to grasp. But with a little effort and time we can make a difference! Again, willingness holds the key. Elders need attention at homes and if we don’t give it, they start demanding it. When the elders begin to feel they are neglected, they adopt ways to attract this attention from us which may be totally or partially raw, and at times irritating. Mental agitation, restlessness, falling sick often, nausea, vomiting and even suicide attempts could be just reactions to this neglect by family members. Immediate medical care, physical and psychological alone may not be enough. It is better to pause and ask us this question: What did I do to be here? Most often the answer will be neglect, intentional or unintentional. Remember, elders need attention.

What is ‘attention’?
Attention to our elders does not mean providing only basic amenities like a place to stay, food to eat, some money and new clothes during occasions. Most of us pat ourselves for providing these to our elders at home and expect them to appreciate it and if not at least stop complaining and save us the embarrassment! Unfortunately, we fail to fulfil their most logical and humane expectation of spending quality time with them. It doesn’t mean that we spend hours together with them; it only means that we find a few minutes of quality time for a heart-to-heart talk with them. In some cases, as psychiatrists point out, even certain things done inadvertently could strain relationships.

As suggested, spend a few minutes daily to talk to them. Do not take them for granted. Find out their interests, their requirements, and their concerns. Show respect to their feelings and consult them on important issues. Make them feel important. It is the only viable solution. It is an unassailable fact that we will also face aging! One day we will be elders too. Let us put ourselves into their shoes and ask us this: Will I be truly happy if my son or daughter provides only amenities but avoid talking to me?

Remember, by helping our elders stay physically fit and mentally happy, we are only helping ourselves and our future. Psychiatrists claim that our children who constantly witness how we treat our parents tend to repeat it when we get older. If we fail to give proper care and respect to our elders at home now we will get the same ugly treatment from our children later on in our lives!

Government too has a role to play in keeping elders happy
During the World Elders Day celebrations, the elders take to the roads to highlight their problems and submit petitions to the authorities concerned for alleviation of their difficulties. The Government too is duty bound to fulfil the logical demands of the elders in the society.

Take for instance the healthcare and health insurance for senior citizens in India. There is a huge void that needs to be fast filled up as far as the standards of healthcare and the rising health insurance costs for elders is concerned. Elder abuse is another issue the Government should take care. Elder abuse can take many forms and could even prove fatal. It is high time the Government of India speed up the effective implementation of the comprehensive policy for older persons it announced in 1999 to help and support older persons in India.

As always said, everyone has to face aging. One day you will be an elder too and you wouldn’t want your son or daughter to ignore you! Would you? Let us pledge to make a difference on the World Elders Day on October 1. Let us work towards bringing the much needed change, right at your home, right now.