Helping Hands for the Elderly

by CEDRIC SILVEIRA
Posted on 2008-10-02
"It was hell when she was mobile, now that she is bedridden it is at least purgatory,” screams Emma, speaking of her 85 year old mother. “Am I the only child in the family to look after him?” voices Rupa in frustration after having to look after her 88 year old father whilst her two brothers who are doctors have made America their home.
Similar tales of woe and discontent are echoed all over Goa by the children who have to look after old or bedridden parents. But it is not only children living in Goa who are feeling the strain of looking after their parents but also those who have migrated.
Ironically, when migration to foreign lands commenced in full swing somewhere in the 80’s , no one imagined the plight of their parents in Goa in the years to come.
The old of today are indeed vulnerable. Their needs extend not only to love and affection, but also many a time to monetary needs. Many NGOs have come forward to help the elderly. HelpAge India is one such NGO who looks into the needs of the elderly and provides them a better world, of dignity and equal rights. Says Mr Dattaprasad Pawaskar, the executive incharge of the Goa branch “Helpage India was started sometime in 1978, and was started by a British Charity group called as ‘Help the Age’. Since the past 14 years it has impacted the lives of many elderly in the villages of Goa, providing care and comfort towards the less privileged elderly people.”
As such the activities of Helpage in Goa extend from having a mobile Medicare unit packed with a doctor, a pharmacist, and a social welfare officer, which moves in around 34 remote locations in Goa providing free medical treatment and medicines on a weekly basis. They also provide funds to nine old age homes, where they have adopted around 30 destitute and below poverty line senior citizens. “We have set up help-lines wherein we offer advice and support to the older people. We sponsor free cataract surgeries, and influence governments to think of elders in budget outlays, policy formation and welfare schemes. Apart from the above we have also started the Adopt-A-Grandparent programme where we help the elderly gain their independence by income generating activities,” points out Mr Pawaskar. He further adds, “With nuclear families on the rise, there are times wherein the elderly are totally neglected and left to fend for themselves. We get many senior citizens coming to us saying that they have no one absolutely to look after them once their children get married and leave the house.”
HelpAge India was also largely responsible for getting the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior citizens Act 2007 passed, thereby giving the elderly a sense dignity in living.