Leaving parents behind

Fifty years ago living alone was uncommon for the elderly Zoroastrians in India. Living arrangements always reflected a high level of family caregiving for the elderly and a higher degree of continuity of parent-child coresidence. This form of family structure was a social norm and it also stemmed from a lack of institutional coverage for the poor and elderly, the absence of a pension scheme or health insurance, total lack of structural policy for the aged and little private savings.

Social and economic changes are key to understanding the shifts in household structure. Social change arising from urbanization, industrialization and migration alters traditional patterns of household formation. Inflation, falling wages and economic instability saw some steep rise in demographic change resulting in more and more people living on their own in the latter half of the last century.

We saw the extraordinary migration to cities like Bombay and other towns taking place to generate more income. We have also seen the problem being compounded further by the next wave of international migration taking place and with lower fertility rates, and many unmarried children, the older population is facing an even more lonelier prospect.

What prompted me to write this was our own personal dilemma and the impact such a situation created on my late mother-in-law and her family living overseas. Lack of proper health care and aged care housing, lesser dependence on servants, and erosion of family support is turning this issue into a social problem. In western developed countries, growing old independently is a norm because of the infrastructure and the aged care policies laid out in the constitution.

In India an old-age home brings disdain and a sense of discomfort — that you are about to be put away in an institution where neglect, unforgiving environment, lack of care, loss of love and well being will play out the remainder of your dying days. It is more a social stigma although lack of funds and resources does impact on the quality of services.

All this is changing and a social sea change is gathering momentum for the aging population in Bombay and other rural towns. One such institution which has brought back pride and dignity to the elderly is the WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds run Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Senior Citizens Centre in Navsari. The underlying philosophy on which the Centre was conceived and developed in 1998 has been to ensure that the residents pass their lives in a happy and meaningful way — free from stress and worries associated with age. What makes it run so efficiently is the dedicated team of men and women behind the scenes — people who are involved in the day-to-day running of the Centre, organizing annual outings for the residents, encouraging residents to vent their creative talents, organizing entertainment evenings, and scores of other activities. The Centre also has an effective network of services for medical, hospitalization, nursing care and other needs. As we say in Australia it’s like a one-stop shop. Most importantly the Senior Citizens Centre replicates an environment of an extended family that allows residents to live together in harmony and goodwill.

We, who have taken giant leaps in migrating to greener pastures across the world, should also take a step back and reflect on the needs of the old and aged back home. At the same time that there is much to worry about the plight of the old and lonely, there is also a positive change happening. With full occupancy at the Centre and plans to construct another centre in Navsari, I am of the opinion that we may have turned the tide in the social outlook towards the aging. That it may well become a social norm for the aging Zoroastrians to live more independently in India.

I would also like to salute some of the unsung heroes and scores of volunteers at other old age homes in Bombay — the value of the services provided by volunteers, both financial and personal is immense. Be it supplying meals or playing a guitar or reading a newspaper or even just chatting, each of these acts of kindness provides improved quality of life for many of our older citizens. Even the smallest gesture can reduce the loneliness and isolation some elderly people feel, improving their self-esteem and helping them maintain their independence.

JEHANGIR MEHTA

Perth, Australia