It does not matter if the days were good or bad in the past, what eventually matters is the present mindset and how well we are prepared for our Golden Years.
As a society, we are at the cusp of a developmental shift; it's not just the longevity of the bones but also the youthness of the mental faculties which is changing at the national level.
The subject of Aged Care will soon take the first day first show, that too the front row very soon, simply because it will be difficult to hide or brush 350 million senior citizens by 2050 under the carpet. This demographic population will become a force to be reckoned with, both in terms of purchasing capacities and influence at the National level.
Eldercare is no rocket science which needs deep computer simulations, it is a simple formula i.e. as a basic human right, all older people deserve the same level of care, participation and support like any other age groups. If we do not cater for their needs today we are going to be denying the same support for ourselves in the future.
There is no denying the fact that as we age our physical and mental abilities change, but then that's the law of nature which is universal for all living beings, so why see old age with a separate lens of Ageism?
No one wants to be dependent upon others especially in old age, but then the fact of the matter is, our parents who most people see as Superman and Superwoman do get old and then do require assistance and support after a certain point, so does that make them any lesser mortals than us?
The larger point of debate is, while it's good to have conferences, seminars, lectures, you pat my back and I pat your back, the issue at hand does not get resolved by participation certificates and luncheons. Someone has to bring the horse to the water table.
There are many organisations who are doing some amazing work in Aged Care but then are we working in unison or in parallel and are there enough stakeholders who are looking at Aged Care as a senior concern?
Do visit the Elderly Care India website: (elderlycareindia.org) for free resources and guidance information. The platform is purely for the larger cause and to help older people, their families, caregivers, service providers, policymakers and researchers.
Pankaj Mehrotra
