Each year, August 21, is commemorated as World Senior Citizens Day principally to create awareness pertaining to issues affecting the elderly – be it health, wellness, adjustment, age deterioration or even abuse. This day is a reminder for us to acknowledge and recognise the unfathomable contributions made by our senior citizens for the betterment of society.
Historically, the former President of the United States, Ronal Reagan was the first to officially accept World Senior Citizens Day on August 21 after signing a proclamation, following which other nations also adopted the day as a means to celebrate senior citizens.
So then, the question that comes to mind is, what can we, as individuals, do for the senior citizens around us? How can we make life easy for our elders?
At the outset, what we need to keep in mind is that, we may be at a relatively youthful stage in life today, but we will not always remain that way. Ageing is an inevitable phase in every person’s life and when it arrives, we must be prepared to embrace it, that too uncomplainingly.
Getting older also involves physical, mental, psychological and emotional turbulences in the life of a person which tend to lift up the incidence of disability, thereby compelling an elderly person to seek succour.
Not to forget, the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a vastly adverse impact on our elders. While many of us, lost many of our elders to this unfortunate catastrophe, some of us have been lucky enough to still have them around us. Agreed, the pandemic has not been easy on anyone, but it has particularly affected senior citizens in a starkly nasty way.
Hence, this World Senior Citizens Day, let us take a minute and analyse how we can take easy-peasy steps or do simple things that would make our elders feel relevant. Here are a few suggestions:
a) Charity, as they say, starts from home. Hence, first and foremost, be there for YOUR elders in YOUR home. Never forget, that they have given it their all, to raise you to be the person you are, this day. Thus, the first step is to simply realise that you OWE it to your elders to be there for them during their old age. Have gratitude.
b) The next step is to volunteer for the elders in your community, as no matter where they are, they need our help. The best thing to do is to be aware and mindful of the fact that, if you get an opportunity to aid them, do it by all means. Whether it is helping them to lift a heavy bag, letting them cross the street, offering to pick up something they may have dropped, volunteering to complete a basic task on their behalf such as washing their vehicle or watering their plants, grab the chance. It will bring a smile to them and a blessing to you.
c) If you have elderly folks who are spending their old age in senior citizen care-homes or facilities, take time out from your busy schedules and go see them, spend time with them, share a laugh or two! You have no idea how happy that would make them. If you can contribute to make their day a joyful one, then that is certainly a win.
d) Many a time, we are extremely caught up in solving the puzzles of our own lives, that we forget about our elders in totality. They have been there for us when we needed someone to listen to us, therefore now, why can’t we do the same for them? Our elders may not display their insecurities, but they also worry about a lot of things. Their bond with their children, their friendships, their finances, a lot more stresses them more than we can imagine. So, take a few minutes every day if possible and given them a listening ear. When they share, it relieves them of their worries. It may be momentary, but it is still worth it.
e) A prime problem that our senior citizens face in their old age is social isolation. Lack of social interactions due to physical limitations lead to feelings of loneliness, which in turn negatively impacts their physical, mental as well as emotional well-being. Thus, it is our duty to encourage our elders to build social support with the objective of fostering their social relationships. Simply making an effort on this front could light up their day. It’s worth it.
f) Some of our elders are not as good with technology as the younger generation. So, if you could teach them the basics of technology or maybe how to operate a basic mobile phone, that would enable them to keep in touch with their close friends and family.
At the end of the day, it is all about making our elders feel wanted. Old age is undoubtedly associated with life changes that are obviously tough to cope with and inevitably generate feelings of despair, loneliness and isolation among them. Hence, making them feel important and spending just a few minutes each day with them is viewed by them as a hearty gesture on our part. Take that step forward, make it memorable.
Happy World Senior Citizens Day!
(Ameya Avadhut Nayak is currently an Asst Professor (Law) at VM Salgaocar College of Law)
