Dad! Have you been to the bathroom/toilet/Sandaas/-- ? The heading might surprise a few. But the major truth of life in the old age is just this. Actually with this question, connects the looking after of the elders who are at home and sick. Any such family would agree that if their elders are able to visit the bathroom on their own, it is honestly a boon to the family. The children, where ever possible, do want to look after their elders, be it their Grand parents or their own parents. A joint family was a boon where such duties were easily taken over by all willing family members, thus avoiding making it burdensome for just one member of the family. Breaking up the joint family system has changed all equations. Nuclear families, children staying away from their parents, has brought a miserable change in the society. Parents are forced to live alone. Well to do, children are satisfied that they have sent some money-sometimes a little more than the other siblings-and that, now the parents need not worry. The problem of older people is still not solved. Firstly, there is nobody to ask the question Dad! Have you been---- ? And secondly, if the old people have become non ambulant for reasons of poor nourishment/other health issues-who is to look after them? Society is changing. The Law says- no more manual scavenging. Fine! But who will clean the old people? Diapers also have to be firstly tied, then removed and the persons body washed and cleaned. Who will do it? What if the old people are not so well provided for? It is quite likely that they will be lying around in their own excreta. There are agencies who do take up such diaper duties. But the availability of such people is getting difficult by each passing day. Sending your older people to an old age home is another alternative. But once again, there also someone has to do the diaper duty. What if they do not pay complete attention and what if they are short of staff.? Each of us will have our own circumstances concerning our own elders in the family. If our elders are neglected, it has nothing to do with the society. It is purely and simply our own fault. Merely sending money is not enough. After a certain age, the elders have very little value for money. They yearn for the company of their own children and more of their grandchildren. They would like to be touched, hugged and kissed exactly like small children. Let us look after the elders in our family. Remember, we are being watched by our own children. They will do exactly as we set our own behaviour as precedents. The requirement is our own for our own future is at stake. If you are living in a joint family, then look after the elders with full commitment. The elders may have many children, but you have only these people as your parents and grandparents. If you are living away and are within easy reach, please do go over to their place,carry some small things like fruits and do meet them regularly. Make sure that your elders have their mobile telephones/land lines close to their beds. Ring them up at the same fixed time every day, so that, your parents know who is calling. Call up regularly. Remember! You are headed in the same direction. But one thing is sure. The way our social values are changing you will soon have no one to ask you- Dad! Have you been----?
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:36:01 +0000
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