Mumbai seniors left to fend for themselves

The country’s elderly population is growing in leaps and bounds and but the huge Indian joint family is history. Family bonds are weakening and apparently the seniors have been the biggest loser due to their ‘non-productivity’.

"Children have been moving out to stay independently or go abroad. Aged parents have no other option but to fend for themselves," said Jyoti Pandya, head of Urban Poverty Eradication Cell of BMC.

If the elderly live with relatives, the situation is no better. "They stay under the same roof but without any communication," says Clarence Gomes, a senior citizen and social worker, who welcomed the BMC’s initiative.

Dadar resident Sheetal Soni (68) and her group said the young in the family are mostly inert to the elderly’s feelings and needs.

The population shift from rural to urban area has also aggravated the problem, generating a new community of urban poor which has its own set of challenges. Space crunch, individualistic approach and low-patience level of newer generations have also marginalised the elderly people, said social scientists. Mental and physical abuse is also common but largely under-recognised.

"Apart from physical ailments, the elderly suffer from depression and loneliness," said Dr Sangeeta Agrawal of Bombay Hospital. She said that in some cases they don’t get proper health care and follow-up.

 "Seniors also refuse to adjust with the present situation. Working women have different set of challenges raising the children now. I hardly get time to talk to even my husband," said a railway employee, who has a "troubled" mother-in-law.

"If we insist she goes out for a walk, she thinks we don’t want her in the house. If I go out with my husband, she thinks we are neglecting her."

Lack of safety and security has made the elderly soft targets for crime. The Mumbai police has set up a special helpline for them but more awareness needs to be created.