FOCUS ON ELDERS: V. Sundaram, former civil servant (second from left), presenting the E.S. Krishnamoorthy Lecture Award to Peter Whitehouse , Director Integrative Studies, Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, U.S.(second from ri ght), in Chennai on Sunday. Prof. Krishnamoorthy Srinivas, Chairman, The Institute of Neurological Science, VHS (left) and ES. Krishnamoorthy, consultant neurologist and neuropsychiatrist, VHS and St. Isabels Hospital are also in the picture. — ; Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: Though the family structure has been changing, the family and a spiritual bent of mind would be two critical factors in caring for elders, Peter Whitehouse, Director Integrative Studies, Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, U.S., said here on Sunday.

Memorial lecture

Delivering the Eighth E.S. Krishnamoorthy Memorial Lecture titled, `Whose life is it anyway? Ethical issues in caring for elderly people,' organised by the Neurosciences India Group, Prof. Whitehouse said the world in the days to come would have many more elderly people and also people with cognitive impairment.

As opposed to the western notions of a highly individualistic family, it was the eastern model of the "self, embedded in relationship with others" family and community, which would play a crucial role in taking care of the aged, he said.

Inter-generation school

Referring to an initiative he had taken, along with his wife, called "inter-generation school" in Cleveland, United States, Prof. Whitehouse said children in the age group of 5-13 went to this school with elders.

Persons with Alzheimer's disease visited the school and read children's books there, he added.

Stating that multinational corporations in the prevailing global scenario exercised tremendous influence in the world, Prof. Whitehouse regretted that many of their influences, particularly in the field of medicine were not good. He cautioned the pharmaceutical companies in particular against thinking in terms of short-term profits.

Distribution of illness caused by global warming and growing disparities between the rich and poor were other areas of concern.

Water should not be privatised and business should be ecologically conscious, he said. "We must connect ourselves deeply and spiritually with nature. Eastern religions and enlightenment contribute to the future of care for they do not separate the body and the mind," he said.

Role of IT

Prof. Whitehouse was of the view that information technology would also play an important role in the future of caring for the aged.

Chairman, The Institute of Neurological Sciences, VHS, Krishnamoorthy Srinivas, Consultant Neurologist and Neuropsychiatrist, VHS and St. Isabel's Hospital E.S. Krishnamoorthy, Head of Department of Diabetes, VHS Medical Centre, C.V. Krishnaswami, and Managing Director, St. Isabel's Hospital Sister Mary Ann John, highlighted the ethical issues in caring for elderly people.

Former civil servant V. Sundaram presented the Eighth E.S. Krishnamoorthy Memorial Lecture Award to Prof. Whitehouse.

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