One consequence of the decline of the traditional joint family system in India is the increasing neglect of elderly persons. Earlier, with large families living in undivided homes, there was always a support system for the seniors, without much effort being put in by individual members. Now, however, with couples having only one or two children, the offspring have great difficulty in carrying out their filial duties, as they often live in other cities, and struggle to keep up with their own career challenges. This is why, almost every day, there are reports of elderly people facing neglect, sometimes deliberate and sometimes inadvertent. It is easy for the authorities and courts to pontificate on such issues, but this is one of the negative fallouts of ‘economic development’.
While it is somewhat easier for the wealthy to remotely provide support to parents, such as servants and attendants, the emotional element is still lacking. The less well off have an element of community assistance in closely knit villages or even city bastis, but even so, there is a situation developing that will only become worse.
As it is not possible now to go back to the joint family system or leave it to near relatives to provide support to the elderly, especially those with health or mental issues, society at large needs to come up with innovative ways to cope. Perhaps, one way would be to go back to the even older system of establishing ashrams where elders can spend the ‘vanaprastha’ period of their lives. There are old-age homes of several kinds that are coming up and, while these can provide some kind of support, many are based on business models and are, thus, expensive. As such, they cannot cater to the ordinary folk, particularly as India still does not provide viable and universal financial support to its aged population.
On the other hand, the old ashram model, which would be based in rural areas in proximity to nature and focused on simple living, is an excellent alternative. These can be financed through the CSR route, or direct contributions from individuals, and staffed by volunteers interested in living a simple existence. Medical and other support can be provided by social organisations. By focusing on simple living and spirituality, it can prove a financially viable model, as it was in the past. Importance should be given to the fact that nobody is turned away, no matter what their background. In this later age community, every member will have something to contribute in his or her own way to making the last days of life as pleasant as possible.
