The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Old age homes `preferred by many elders'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 25, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Old age homes `preferred by many elders'

L. Srikrishna

Population, problems of the elderly growing: Helpline

CHENNAI: There is a marginal, but steady, increase in the number of elderly preferring to move into paid old age homes in the city.

With the population of the elderly growing rapidly, the problems faced by them are also on the rise. Due to changing family life styles, the senior citizens (particularly those from poor families) are looking for a reliable support system and services tailored to their needs.

This was the concept that led to the founding of the pioneering initiative "Elders Helpline" in Tamil Nadu in February 2004. It was initiated by HelpAge India in coordination with the Chennai city police.

It sought to render efficient service to the disadvantaged elders who are neglected, abused, harassed and financially exploited.

According to Elders Helpline volunteers, 83 elders sought shelter assistance in February 2004-05, 98 elders moved into paid homes for the aged in March 2005-February 2006 and till August 2006, 72 persons had approached them and sought assistance to get accommodation in paid homes for the aged, which means that, by the end of this year, the number is likely to cross the 100 mark, they added.

The Helpline service (1253 toll free number) has been functioning at the Control Room in the office of the Commissioner of Police Egmore round-the-clock, manned by social workers, volunteers and city police personnel.

Experiences

Sharing their experiences, social worker Felix James and counsellor R Muthukrishnan told The Hindu that since its inception, over 2,500 elders have benefited from Elders Helpline.

Apart from seeking shelter assistance, many callers sought legal assistance. In nearly 350 calls received from elders, police intervened and redressed their grievances, they noted.

There is a marginal rise among senior citizens who opted to move into paid old age homes in the city, they said. With changing life styles and inadequate space to move around in their dwellings, they preferred to be with people of the same age group.

Many elders faced problems such as harassment from close family members (sons/daughters-in-law, others) on whom they depended. Loneliness led to depression and insecurity for many elders, and this was exacerbated by victimisation and criticism. Helpless elderly people were often dumped or abandoned in streets, temples and hospitals by their family members, Mr Felix said.

Helplessness

Violence and crime against elders have also become common, as their frailness and inability to protect themselves made them vulnerable to crimes.

Recently, the Egmore police spotted a senior citizen on Pantheon Road. Immediately, a sub-inspector of police alerted the Elders Helpline, which reached the spot and rescued him.

"When we interacted with him, we found that he was suffering from dementia. All that he was able to communicate was his name, his son's name and a few more details, but was unable to give his residential address. After inquiries by the police, we located his residence and ensured that the senior citizen was safe," Mr Muthukrishnan said.

Similarly, in another case, a 70-year-old woman allegedly attempted to commit suicide on the Marina Beach. However, she was stopped by a mobile police patrol team and handed over to the Elders Helpline, which offered counselling and traced her home.

A senior police officer said that it was shocking to know that many elders who were admitted in hospitals for various terminal ailments by their children gave false addresses.

In many cases, the family members left them in the lurch, as they were unable to take care of them. "The trend is on the rise, we received many calls from public run hospitals who are unable to discharge the patients," he added.

With greying of the population, the State government should set up similar Helplines in major towns as a protective measure, the volunteers said.

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