Kerala, the State with the largest headcount of senior citizens, is waking up to the need to care better for the elderly. But the State still has miles to go before this turns a reality.
Kerala had brought out a policy for the elderly in 2006 and revised it in 2013. This could be seen in the light of World Health Organisation (WHO)’s 2002 statement titled ‘Policy Framework on Active Ageing.’ WHO sees age-friendly cities as a significant response to this demographic segment.
Kozhikode is the first city in the State to be declared an ‘Elderly friendly City.’ Thiruvananthapuram has still some way to go to be that, so the elderly feel.
Footpaths
P.K.B. Nayar, chairperson of the Centre for Gerontological Studies, says the physical and social environment of the city needs much tweaking to suit the elderly.
According to FRAT chairperson M.S. Venugopal, footpaths are either non-existent or have gaping holes or are encroached upon forcing the elderly to walk on crowded and dangerous roads.
While a large population of the elderly depend on public transportation, these are not made to accommodate their requirements. Seat reservation in buses for the aged is hardly ever implemented, says Sreeja Sasidharan, lawyer.
Many accidents are the result of the elderly trying to clamber aboard buses.
Even the swankiest waiting sheds and public places lack proper facilities for the elderly like ramps, lifts and toilets.
The city also has very few options for the senior citizens to get together, says Mr. Venugopal. Facilities for separate queues in hospitals and government offices are not also mandatory. There is also a need for senior citizen hospitals and diagnostic and consultation centres.
Another area of concern is the safety of the elderly who live alone, says S. Haneefa Rawther, general secretary of the Senior Citizens Service Council. Police stations should maintain a register of the elderly people in their limits and police personnel should visit the house of the elderly living alone at least once a month. This rarely happens, Mr. Rawther says.
Also special focus should be given to women who live longer than men.
Despite a circular by the State Police Chief that the police should go to the elderly to take their statement if they are a witness or a complainant in a case, they continue to be summoned to the police station, he says.
According to Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad general secretary T.K. Meerabhai, “the commission for the elderly that was promised by the Social Justice Department should be made a reality.”
Schoolchildren
However, the real change should come at the social level. School and college students should be encouraged to interact with the elderly. They should also be made part of civic issues such as waste management.
There is also need for more old-age homes and ‘pakal veedu’ for the senior citizens, who should themselves be encouraged to visit their counterparts and encourage them for a better life.