Chennai is right on the cusp for insolent behavior towards their elderly citizens. reports the latest TOI story on Jun4, 2008. A city known for its orthodox living and cocoon family culture stands last when it comes to taking care of their elders. How and why did the cultural landscape change? When did this metamorphosis happen? Do you feel the jolt in your seat? Does it appall you? I don’t know why I keep blogging on this topic, is it because I am worried about my old age in this city? The only sore point for me is that Delhi fares better than Chennai. My Delhi friends (I have a few to boast) will be on cloud 9.
Here are the extracts of the article…..it hit me like a thunderbolt….
- Also in Chennai, 57.9% parents have migrated to the city for their children – parents had left behind their villages, sold their lands and moved to the city to support their kids dream and future. Life is a constant chase!
- Expectations from children are much higher in Chennai as compared to other metros – expectations and disappointments are two sides of the coin. Who is to be blamed – kids or parents?
- In Chennai, 29.3% of elderly interviewed felt modernity has led to children not wanting to stay with parents, whereas in Mumbai, it was not even acknowledged as a problem. – Does it mean the same hands made us all different? Children of same mother feel differently and that is the diversity in India!
What do oldies want?
Everybody in this world is looking for love and care and this is one of the primary reasons why people marry. Marriage once believed as a cure for loneliness and neglect in sunset years is now a reason for frown and disappointment. Are the oldies asking for too much? Look at the list below, isn’t it very pedestrian and similar across elderly denomination in all countries?
- A shelter with TLC
- Help for health, housing and better nutrition
- Senior citizens club
- Affordable health care
All I can do is live without expectations, lead a healthy lifestyle, save for health care expenses in my sunset years and resign to the fact that I will be alone and die alone. Make hay while sunshines, is it because sun never shines in the sunset years?
Delhi cares most for its elders
4 Jun 2008, 1625 hrs IST, Deeksha Chopra,TNN
Though notorious for its increasing cases of violence against the elderly, Delhi has surprisingly emerged as the most ‘caring’ of the four metros. In a study conducted by TNS India, in association with HelpAge India, 86% of the respondents in the city have said that their children cared for them in times of illness. Chennai has fared the worst, with only 52.7% senior citizens saying that they are cared for. And ironically, though senior citizens are regarded as ‘‘soft targets’’ for criminal elements in the Capital, it’s not the fear of break-ins or murderous assaults that are giving them sleepless nights. Their gravest fears concern living alone, poor health and monetary problems, says the study conducted in eight cities.
As the head of social protection and emergencies at HelpAge India, Rajeshwar Devarakonda, puts it, ‘‘The reasons cited for insecurity are largely health problems, followed by shortage of money and finally living alone. Thus, physical insecurity is not as pronounced as economic and health insecurity.’’ The study also reveals that social security is what the elderly are hankering after, probably because 87% have no health insurance. Sudharshan Malhotra (72), a retired professor of Hindi from Janki Devi College, has been living alone for eight years at Palam Vihar after her husband’s death. ‘‘I take all precautions, keep all doors locked, and I have given one of my floors on rent. My children stay abroad and visit me often. I share a great rapport with my domestic help, but don’t believe in living with fear about my security,’’ she says.
Explaining the dismal response in Chennai, Devarakonda, says: ‘‘Chennai is essentially a middle-class city with strong family bonds. The elderly there are yet to come to terms with the cultural change and adapt themselves to the idea of children moving out. With more and more children going abroad for education and work, a large number of older people are feeling left out. Also in Chennai, 57.9% parents have migrated to the city for their children. Expectations from children are much higher in Chennai as compared to other metros.’’
Needs of elderly The study was carried out in four metros and four non-metros - Lucknow, Vijayawada, Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedabad. In all, 2,019 people above the age of 60 were interviewed, with equal representation of men and women, from different socio-economic categories and geographical areas to understand the needs and desires of 81 million senior citizens of the country. These are some of the findings:
a) 62% of the elderly were financially dependent on their children b) Only 32% availed of pension or support of any kind c) Living alone due to lack of support from children is more common among females (44%) than males (37%) d) The proportion of elderly enjoying good health is higher in non-metros (40%) than metros (28%) e) 87% of the elderly do not have any health insurance f) Most of the elderly (72%) live with their sons and 5% live alone. Those living alone have been doing so for an average of 10 years g) Proportion of elderly whose health care expenses are supported by children is higher in non metros (76%) than in metros (64%) h) Delhi emerges as a metro with more caring children. 86% reported children cared for them in times of illness. Chennai ranks lowest with only 52.7% i) 50% feel insecure due to economic and health uncertainties j) In Chennai, 29.3% of elderly interviewed felt modernity has led to children not wanting to stay with parents, whereas in Mumbai, it was not even acknowledged as a problem k) The major issues on which elders want intervention included social protection (35%), free medical check-ups (27%), love and respect from younger ones (23%), free public transport (11%), clubs and old age homes (8%).
Perhaps, this also explains Chennai’s response to the younger generation’s unwillingness to stay with their parents. While Mumbai does not even acknowledge this as a problem, 29.3% of respondents in Chennai say they dislike this trend, and regard it as an offshoot of modern living. The study, which concluded in May, was carried out in the metros and four other Indian cities - Lucknow, Vijaywada, Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedadbad. In all, 2,019 people above the age of 60 were interviewed, with equal representation of men and women, to understand the needs and desires of 81 million senior citizens of the country. T
The major issues where elders want intervention include help for health, housing and better nutrition. Those in metros particularly desire priority in government-run health and transport, while elders in non-metros want issues of negligence from relatives to be assessed. The most recommended concept was that of the senior citizens’ club. For this, the elderly expressed willingness to make a monthly contribution of Rs 125 in non-metros and Rs 1,078 in metros, on an average.
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