The not so surprising fact in India is, many of us are already contemplating moving into a retirement home / care home in the near future and/or are looking at moving into one, but then most of us do not have much idea or interest in what standards or quality assurance to expect.
Internationally, the Senior Citizens Care sector is well defined and regulated, but then in India, the fifth largest economy is finding it difficult or rather struggling to develop National Standards, Policies, Guidelines and Training.
The Americans call it Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Veteran Affairs, Australians call it Aged Care, Hong Kong calls it Care for Elderly, United Kingdom calls it Care Homes and Care for Older Persons etc etc.
Unfortunately in India we have still not been able to decide on a common term and keep talking about Senior Citizens, Old Age Homes, Vridh Ashram, Elderly etc.
In my limited views, till the time like-minded individuals do not come forward and start a movement for the welfare of poor, underprivileged, destitute older people especially care for the elderly widows in India, till then we will keep having cocktail party discussions over Wine and Caviar on the plight of the poor elderly and the lack of International level standards and quality framework.
The larger point of debate is, on one hand most of us want to do good and want to contribute for the larger cause, but then when it comes to taking time out from our so called busy schedules, our priorities suddenly change.
If a few of us can spare 4-5 hours a month on Senior Citizen Care instead of going to the Multiplexes and the food courts, then I am sure we can not only secure our own future but also of future generations.
I strongly believe in one point:
“If people like us don’t bring about a change, then I really wonder who will?
Pankaj Mehrotra