Sunday, December 5, 2010

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.....rightly said but negligibly implemented.

It seen that in practice development means material advancement. All the great thoughts about developing the finer aspects of human beings are not translated into reality while such developments have apparently made life easier. They have thrown up many new, serious and urgent challenges before mankind such as the phenomenal rise of human population, demographic transition etc….


Same is the case with ageing. An individual may age with grace or he may turn  bitter with frustration.
As goes the adage:
“Some wines mature and become mellow,
Others turn sour and decay.”

A person’s age depends on his outlook of his life. Well as a graph of physical process, aging is a natural process. However, at what age is person called old? In this sense, a person would be said to be old when he is unable to function efficiently.To put it in humour..
"Old age is where couples switch off their lights at night for economical reasons...rather than for romantic ones.."
:) Jokes apart..
              
Old age is an irreversible part and biological phenomenon one that eventually terminates with the end of life of a human being. That is more like science.. but in our daily life where attitudes, behavior, values, aesthetics rule, there is more that can be defined of  an old age. It is one experience that cannot be had otherwise. When the trails of experience and wisdom have made a lasting impression on human itself, one can say he is never out of it. It is a gift, which no one can refuse to take.
However, the transformations brought in our society sometimes make us scare of this stage.However everyone of us has to face it one day.
  

Using Blog as a platform..i would like to bring to your notice few problems that Elderly people face today..
1.Elder physical Abuse:
Elder abuse is a growing problem. While we do not know all of the details about why abuse occurs or how to stop its spread, we do know that help is available for victims. Concerned people, like you, can spot the warning signs of a possible problem, and make a call for help if an elder is in need of assistance. Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state.




2.Sexual Abuse:

 Defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person. Sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent is also considered sexual abuse. It includes, but is not limited to, unwanted touching, all types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photographing.

3.Emotional or Psychological Abuse:
Emotional or psychological abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. Emotional/psychological abuse includes, but is not limited to verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment. In addition, treating an older person like an infant; isolating an elderly person from his/her family, friends, or regular activities; giving an older person the "silent treatment;" and enforced social isolation are examples of emotional/psychological abuse.

  4.Nursing home abuse:
 
Eye witness accounts and surveys have sadly shown that nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problems. Generally the causes for such abuses reported are:
 Ø   Stressful working conditions, especially staff shortages..
 Ø   Staff burn out,
 Ø   Inadequate staff training etc.

5.Neglect:

 Neglect is defined as the refusal or failure to any part of a person’s obligation or duties to an elder. Neglect may also include failure of a person who has fiduciary responsibilities to provide care for an elder (e.g. pay for necessary home care services) or the failure on the part of an in-home services provider to provide necessary care.
Neglect typically means the refusal or failure to  provide  an elderly persons with such life necessity as food, water clothing, shelter, and other essentials included in an implied or agreed-upon responsibility to an elder.
Abandonment is defined as the desertion  of  an elderly persons by an individual who has assumed responsibilities for providing care of an elder, or by a persons with  physical custody of an elder.

6.Abandonment:
Abandonment is defined as the desertion  of  an elderly persons by an individual who has assumed responsibilities for providing care of an elder, or by a persons with  physical custody of an elder.


To deal with those problems many NGO's, Social Activists and Our Government has taken steps.But are we so immature and stone hearted that we require some mediocre to take those steps...!!!Are we so immune to our own parents feelings and emotions that we just put them or get them admitted into Senior citizens or Elderly people care centre.If others can create a HOME FOR AGED..then why cant we for our own PARENTS..!!

 ..THEY WERE THE ONES WHO TAUGHT US HOW TO WALK..

     NOW ITS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THEM WALK THEIR LAST STAGES...

  LET US STAND UP AND SHOULDER OUR DUTIES AS OBEDIENT CITIZENS AND AS OBIDIENT CHILDREN..
                                          .. "CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME"..
THEN WHY NOT ENSURE THE SECURITY OF OUR OWN PARENTS FIRST.AND THEN CLAIM GOVERNMENTS FOR THEIR SECURITIES LIKE TRIPARTITE PACKAGE OF UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PENSIONS,FREE HEALTH CARE AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY LAWS...

"AFTER ALL..THEY WEREN'T BORN OLD..AND NO ONES THERE TO STAY YOUNGER FOREVER..."

-its SR