INDIA: Elders need homely care

. BANGALORE, Karnataka / The Times of India / January 18, 2009 Where do we see our parents and grandparents in the evening of their lives? Do we want to see them leading isolated lives in institutions or as a part of the family, reading out stories to grandchildren and being given the care of loved ones. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 may be in place but regulations are not. At the state-level consultation on the need for a regulatory body for institutional care for elders, members from 33 organisations of the state came up with a draft notification to form a committee to monitor old age homes and similar institutions concerning the elderly in the state. The members also made a demand for a national commission for elders. At the consultation meeting, organised by International Federation for Ageing, Nightingales Trust, Times Foundation and National Institute of Social defence on Saturday 'Ageing in Place' was the focus of the discussion. According to a survey, by 2050, 12% of our population will be above 65 and the dependency ratio will increase to 3:1. Psychologist Dr Indira Jaiprakash gave the audience a presentation on how to take care of elders in the Indian scenario. 'Ageing in Place' is a concept that balances both the comfort of living at home with loved ones and taking institutional care from time to time. According to secretary-general of International Federation on Ageing, Jane Barratt, the concept is becoming very popular in the west. The draft notification on forming the monitoring committee that will set and regulate standards for oldage homes, day carecenters and other institutions was submitted to director, department of welfare of disabled and senior citizens, Shivananjaiah and a timeline of 6 months was given to constitute the committee. Copyright © 2009 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.