Pensioners’ paradise? Bangalore’s a hell hole for senior citizens

Pensioners continue to be abused in their paradise. Bangalore, which was once known as the Pensioners’ Paradise,  has turned into a hell of sorts for senior citizens.

The notoriety of the Pensioners’ Paradise first came to light after a Helpage India survey in 2009 showed that crimes against the elderly in Bangalore were half as much as in Delhi, which topped the list of cities most dangerous for the old. The situation has only continued to remain grim since.

There is a dedicated helpline number — 1090 — that attends to calls from harassed senior citizens in Bangalore city. What is astounding is that a large number of callers have complaints against younger members of the family.

During 2010, 71 calls recorded on the helpline related to abuse of senior citizens at the hands of family members. About 64 calls during this period pertained to cheating of the old by agencies, while another 43 calls spoke of senior citizens being defrauded by individuals.

According to records of the Union home ministry, crimes against the elderly have been increasing at a rate of 6% each year for the past few years.

About 47.3 % of abused elders were ill-treated by people who are often considered part of the social support mechanism for the aged, found Dr Indira Jai Prakash, professor of psychology and consultant gerontologist. Arguing that there is no room for complacency, she says since the expectation that Indian families will take care of the old is often not met, there is need for a more effective helpline, and stronger and more organised groups of the elderly themselves.

There are legal lacunae too that need to be set right, to better secure the country’s elderly. A seminar held in the city recently by the Nightingales Medical Trust and National Institute of Social Defence favoured setting up a public-private partnership that would implement the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.

However, the act itself is in need of amendment to better address the problems of the elderly. There is no recognition of emotional abuse within it, points out Shiv Kumar, convenor of the helpline number for senior citizens.
    b_shilpa@dnaindia.net