Hyderabad: Senior citizens are a very strong vote bank. Yet, the fact that they are not united has allowed the government to neglect them, claim the senior citizens’ organisations in the city. This u
Hyderabad: Senior citizens are a very strong vote bank. Yet, the fact that they are not united has allowed the government to neglect them, claim the senior citizens’ organisations in the city. This unity can be achieved by registering with senior citizens’ organisations. Moreover, elderly people who are Internet-savvy must actively campaign online to bring to focus the problems faced by them. Senior citizens strongly feel that their voice is not being heard and the forums that represent them are struggling to get the point across to the government. The government has failed to address various demands like a separate directorate for addressing the issues of the senior citizens, effective implementation of the AP Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2011, issues with regards to pension and a reliable procedure for second career options etc. Gopal Rao, the vice-president of Aasara Committee of the Senior Citizens, says, “The Centre has created an Act, but the state government must work towards effectively implementing it. We have been giving various representations with regards to pension, employment, insurance and also health, but nothing has been done so far. If the government is compassionate towards its senior citizens, it will reflect in the change of attitude at the society level as well as at the family level. At present, we are not looked upon as a resource.” The idea of utilising their (the senior citizens’) strengths to make them a force to reckon with and also get them to act on their issues is the motive for the next one year. Dr P. Vyasamoorhty, who maintains a group on the Internet — Society for Serving Seniors — says, “The election year gives us a major platform to put our points across. The politicians must understand that despite our age we take the pains to go out and vote. We take pride in exercising our right. When we do it, we must be rewarded with benefits and schemes. We merely want them to empower us so that we are respected and are allowed to live our lives gracefully. The financial burden and health issues are often too taxing on senior citizens and we want the politicians to look into it with a positive mindset.” Currently, 180 senior citizens’ associations are registered with the GHMC’s Aasara Committee. They take up the issues of the elderly and try to resolve them. Similarly, online groups also post jobs for senior citizens in the financial sector: accountants, data entry operators, insurance consultants etc. Religious institutions involve them in their administration, charity or works of spreading goodwill in the society. Similarly, educational institutions prefer to use their services for teaching.Those who are need of a job have found the senior citizens’ forum to be useful. Dr V. Raju of the Aasara committee said, “We have been going to various job portals, and wherever we find that there is something of interest, we post it on our blog or email it to our members. This is the best way to help. There are many jobs that say ‘Work from Home’, but most of them are unreliable. There is no forum to address non-payment and issues of fraud in these cases. Therefore, a general warning to not act on such ventures has been issued to all the members.” Next: Empty nests depress the aged Empty nests depress the aged Kruthi Gonwar | DC Hyderabad: With joint families becoming less common as younger members move out to live and work in different countries and cities, elderly people in the family are suffering the effects of the empty nest syndrome. ENS is a common psychological condition manifested by parents or other elders in a family whose younger members have moved out. It is characterised by feelings of sadness, loss, depression and insomnia. It also commonly occurs immediately after retirement from active work. Specialising in cases of ENS is Dr Diana Monteiro, a psychologist from the Hyderabad Academy of Psychology. “For this particular generation of senior citizens children were the main focus of their lives — fulfilling their needs, taking care of every small thing they need, giving them a good education and getting them married. But, once their children leave home to pursue their goals, parents suddenly feel that they now do not have any responsibility and feel that their only purpose in life is over. This is ENS. They often become introverts and depression is a very common phenomenon in such cases,” said Dr Monteiro. Couples are sometimes so caught up in creating a better life for their children that they neglect their bond with each other. “The best way to get over ENS is for older couples to start rebuilding their relationship,” Dr Monteiro advises. Dr Radhika, a psychologist and stress management consultant, said that it can be particularly hard on women. “Women, by nature, create a very strong bond with their children and separation to them means a very big adjustment. Hence, they give in to depression very soon and feel a sense of dejection.” Next: Most senior citizens not aware of parents act Most senior citizens not aware of parents act Hyderabad: Even after seven years of the Act coming into existence, awareness on the Parents Maintenance Act, 2007, is minimal. The purpose of creating this Act has not somehow been served yet. In a recent survey by the HelpAge India, an organisation to protect senior citizens’ rights, Hyderabad topped the list in elderly abuse across the country. D. Sudarshan, assistant director of the Department of Disabled and Senior Citizens Welfare, said, “In Hyderabad, we have recorded about five cases under the Parents Act so far, while another eight were recorded in Secunderabad. Though the fact that there are few such cases might be considered a good sign, the point that there is barely any awareness about the Act, cannot be ignored.” Mrinal Srikanth of HelpAge India said, “If the district associations are very strong, then more and more such cases can be pursued. Even the department has to get more responsive and pursue such cases. Many are either preferring senior citizens’ associations or are resolving their cases at the Lok Adalat, since that is a speedy process.” He said that about a couple of years ago, the Lok Adalat used to have a bench for senior citizens, but now it does not have any suchfacility. Next : Forums seek hike in pensions Forums seek hike in pensions Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh is almost at the bottom of the list when it comes to pension paid to senior citizens. The state pays a mere Rs 200 per month to the senior citizens. The pension amount, according to the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, is calculated in such a manner that an equal contribution is made by the concerned state government. However, in Andhra Pradesh that is not happening. A.G. Rao, member of a Local Area Committee of senior citizen’s in Kapra, said, “We have been asking the government to increase the pension to Rs 700 per month. Tamil Nadu and Delhi are paying Rs 1,000 per month. Goa pays the highest pension amount of Rs 1,500 per month. But, in AP, we are still struggling.” Moreover, when senior citizens approached super-speciality hospitals for concession, they found no takers there as well. While Aaro-gyasri Scheme helps those who are below the poverty line, elderly people above the line are paying large sums as hospital expenses. The Central Government Health Scheme also has concessions, but for complicated cases, CGHS often refers patients outside. Given this scenario, most of the senior citizens opt for treatment in the private hospitals. A 20 per cent rebate in the out-patient treatment and 10 per cent in case of in-patients was offered by super speciality hospitals, but senior citizens demanded 20 per cent for in-patients too.
