With heavy hearts, the elderly are struggling to survive. Humanity, please awaken. Parents end up in old-age homes and the essence of International Day of Older Persons is fading away. A lyricist once wrote for a film song ‘Man is vanishing, and there isn’t a soul left with compassion’. Today’s society proves those words painfully true through countless incidents. In our Sanatana Dharma, it was always said Mother, Father, Teacher, God. Parents were revered as gods and teachers were respected as guides who shaped our lives. The final phase of life should ideally be filled with joy and dignity. Unfortunately, the second childhood of the elderly meant to be spent playfully with children and grandchildren is now confined within four walls. A mother carries her child for nine months, a father bears him on his shoulders until he learns to walk. Yet, the same parents who raised their children with sacrifices are now neglected. The time has come where siblings take turns to ‘manage’ their aged parents. This helplessness drives many elderly into silent despair, even thoughts of ending their lives.
Many so-called ‘dutiful’ children cast away the responsibility of caring for aging parents, saying their parents old age has become a burden. The pain of being denied even a morsel of food by the very children they raised is crushing the hearts of these elders. Many who once held high positions in society now suffer humiliation at the hands of their own children, who fail to provide even basic care.
● The Neglect of the Wise.
In the past, within joint families, elders were honored as guiding figures. That system has slowly disappeared. Today, nuclear families of husband, wife, and children dominate. In such settings, children grow up without proper understanding or closeness to their grandparents. Experts say a lack of harmony between husband and wife also adds to the neglect of elders. Shockingly, even so-called educated people often mistreat their parents while they are alive.
● If They Can’t Work, Do We Throw Them Out?
Old age weakens the body, leaving many unable to work and prone to illness. After transferring property to their children’s names, many parents are abandoned on the streets. We see such elders daily along the roadsides most of them cruelly thrown out by their own children. Instead of providing for their needs, children drop them at old-age homes, bus stands, or crowded places, and walk away. Society hangs its head in shame. Unable to speak out or fend for themselves, many elderly survive on the streets. Some, unable to bear hunger, die unknown, their bodies left unclaimed. Old age is a distinct stage of life youth fades with time, and after decades of toil, the body begins to weaken. If the younger generation takes responsibility and care, this final stage of life can be lived joyfully. The problems of old age are unique, their needs different. Illnesses, treatments and care for the elderly require special attention. If we look after them with gratitude and compassion, we would at least repay a fraction of the debt we owe them.