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was i speaking to you?

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> was i speaking to you?

Jim, you can easily determine that if you can remember which way your back was pointed. Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti

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: In the US, age discrimination in employment is a major factor in preventing : older adults from working. apparently you’ve never visited a Wal-Mart <g>

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In misc.health.diabetes, > In the US, age discrimination in employment is a major factor > in preventing older adults from working. > apparently you’ve never visited a Wal-Mart <g>

Uh, Wal-Mart supports ChiCom child labor. Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti

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>Old but no promise of gold >By Karuna M John in Indraprasth >The Pioneer >Saturday, November 16, 2002 >It’s the evening of their life, but that does not mean >they are waiting to die. The elderly citizens of the >Capital say they want to enjoy life to the fullest. The >senior citizens are now demanding the respect and >security that are due to them. They want solutions to not >only health concerns but economic, psycho, social and >emotional problems as well.

I notice that in India, they are making some of the same mistakes we are.  Why is it the government’s job to take care of the old?  They are generally capable of taking care of themselves so long as roadblocks aren’t put in their way. In the US, age discrimination in employment is a major factor in preventing older adults from working.  Employers could make adjustments for shorter hours and minor workplace changes to permit older people to work.   So long as there is enough housing built, seniors can have their choice of housing.  I admit that I am taking advantage of housing discrimination which permits age specific housing groups. Seniors can provide financially for their old age, and it seems to me that an appropriate role for the government would be to encourage such savings by tax breaks or other means. -Connie

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Old but no promise of gold By Karuna M John in Indraprasth The Pioneer Saturday, November 16, 2002 It’s the evening of their life, but that does not mean they are waiting to die. The elderly citizens of the Capital say they want to enjoy life to the fullest. The senior citizens are now demanding the respect and security that are due to them. They want solutions to not only health concerns but economic, psycho, social and emotional problems as well. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has stressed upon the need to take a holistic view of the problems being faced by senior citizens in light of the changed socio-economic and cultural trends in the society. In view of the present situation, the Department of Social Welfare recently organised a symposium in association with Delhi Federation of Association of senior citizens, which is a representative body of senior citizens. Experts from relevant fields spoke at length on the various concerns that emerge with age. The symposium was aimed at bringing about awareness regarding age related issues and understanding needs and problems of the aged. Participating senior citizens came up with suggestions on the formulation of programmes for their age group. According to Ms Dikshit the Government was planning a sustained campaign targetting children to inculcate values of respect, affection and understanding towards their elders. According to Mr Chauhan a system of smart-cards for the elderly is being worked out so that they can avail of special facilties in hospitals and railways etc. A committee comprising of representatives of the Government, NGOs and senior citizens will soon be formed to work out and decide issues pertaining to senior citizens. "We have resolved to make the Capital a city that cares for and respects its senior citizens. I appeal to all sections of society to sincerely work towards creating an ambience where the elderly are respected and taken care of," said the CM. According to former CBI chief Mr Joginder Singh it is a senior citizen’s right to live with security, self respect and dignity. "Once you retire people feel that you are waiting to die," said Mr Singh evoking a loud applause from the audience. Organsied by the Social Welfare Department the symposium saw experts including former director CBI Mr Joginder Singh, tax consultant Subhash Lakotia and gerentology specialists adress a range of issues. According to Delhi Social Welfare minister Mr Raj Kumar Chauhan while the Government would play a significant role in addressing the health and economic problems of senior citizens there was a need for attitudinal changes if the psychological, social and emotional problems of the elderly were to be solved. In recent months issues related with old age have attracted considerable attention. Population ageing affects the developed as well as developing countries. According to studies population of older persons is increasing at a rapid pace especially in developing countries. Demographic trends show that improved life expectancy and better health facilities has lead to significant increase in number of persons who are above 60 years of age. The aged comprised 6.8 per cent of total population. Projections for future indicate that the 100 million mark is expected to be reached by 2013 and the old would constitute 12.3 per cent of the total population by 2025. Till a few decades the family was enough to take care of the aged and old age was not considered to be a problem that required social or State intervention. However, status of old people in contemporary society has declined, say experts. Tremendous changes in lifestyles and values of younger generations are making old persons vulnerable to neglect and even abuse specially in urban centres. Pressures and strains of urban life have resulted in neglect of old persons and are seriously affecting their living arrangements. "Now senior citizens can not take it for granted that their children would look after them when they need care in old age," said a participant. Factors like increasing stress on individuality, concepts of privacy and space, rising cost of living, increasing consumerism, breakdown of joint family system, desire not to shoulder responsibility of older persons, lead to considerably less time with care givers and reluctance to transfer share of income for old persons. Many have been compelled by the circumstances to live alone during their old age. Even where cultural bonds of caring for the aged remain strong, the physical capacity of family to provide such care has become weak. The elderly face a number of problems that range from insufficient income, creative use of leisure time, social security, love, recognition, social participation, dignity and self respect. Their needs are not only economic but also socio-psychological in nature. One of the serious problems associated with older persons is their poor health especially in lower income groups. "They suffer from many physical ailments like visual and hearing impairment, cataract, hypertension, diabetes and arthritis," say medical experts. In addition to poor physical health they are also victims of mental disorders like depression that are brought about or aggravated by feeling of dependency, anxiety, boredom, loneliness and helplessness. Retirement is an inevitable part of life and consequent reduction in income often brings financial hardships especially when insufficient savings make one partially or completely dependent on others. Retirement also has psychological consequences for individuals. It not only means loss of salary but also loss of occupation and social relationships at work. "We worked relentlessly in the prime of our lives and contributed towards growth of the family and the nation. So when our capacities have waned, society has an obligation to look after us," said a elderly gentleman. In this context, physical and material assistance would not be enough, observed experts. The old crave for respect, love, affection and attention. Unless given a role in society they will experience a vacuum. If old persons are to lead a well adjusted life, an active lifestyle would be necessary. A positive way would be to look at the elderly as a resource full of experience and skills and not as a burden or liability. In view of depleting familial support, there is pressing need for creation of a social support system to meet needs of the elderly, and welfare services with multidimensional plan of action for the aged. Sadly, both of these are missing. The ultimate goal of any welfare package for older persons should be active productive and participative ageing. This would require not only specialised welfare services for care of the elderly but also a mechanism for ensuring their participation in society and also in formulation and implementation of programs and policies that directly affect their well being. Apart from many problems specific to old age, the elderly also have many needs in areas of health care and nutrition, financial security, shelter, occupation, welfare, protection of life and property, participation in social life, right to lead a dignified life that need to be addressed. The well being of old persons has been mandated in the Constitution of India. Article 41 – a Directive Principle of State Policy has directed that "the State shall within limits of its capacity make effective provisions for securing right to public assistance in cases of old age". There are other provisions as well that direct the State to improve quality of life of its citizens. Social security has been made the concurrent responsibility of the Central and State Governments. Survey of the field situation reveals that there are hardly any NGOs working for welfare of senior citizens in Delhi. "Where are the so called sanstha’s" asked an agitated elderly person, "they seem to be only on paper we dont know about them". Most of the existing NGOs are either working at national level on macro issues or running old age homes, but negligible number of them providing comprehensive service delivery programs or running holistic action projects. Read the complete news at: http://www.dailypioneer.com News Plus http://www.mantra.com/newsplus Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti Panchaang for 21 Vaishakh 5104, Wednesday, May 21, 2003: Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Uttarayane Nartana Ritau      Vrishabh Mase Krishna Pakshe Budha Vasara Yuktayam Shravan-Dhanishtth Nakshatr Brahm-Indr Yog      Vishti-Bav Karan Saptami Yam Tithau Hindu Holocaust Museum http://www.mantra.com/holocaust Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy http://www.hindu.org http://www.hindunet.org The truth about Islam and Muslims http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of this post may not have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name, current e-mail and postal addresses, and live voice telephone number.

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