Visakhapatnam: Elderly find it tough to overcome lockdown blues

• Domestic workers in Visakhapatnam are abruptly asked to discontinue following the outbreak of coronavirus

• While some continue to pay to these hapless workers, others have no choice other than waiting for a call from their masters  

Visakhapatnam: A 60-year-old Rangamma was asked to discontinue work for two months. A domestic worker for the past one decade, she had no other choice than to stay at home waiting for her employer's phone call to resume work.

It is not just Rangamma. The services of domestic workers at several colonies in Visakhapatnam have been disrupted due to rising coronavirus cases. While some employers requested the maids to go on a long leave with pay, others were asked to discontinue for an indefinite period.

The elderly who have been engaged in petty jobs find the going tough as many of their employers stopped availing their services as they are more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Even in the recent survey made by the HelpAge India on 'The Elder Story: Ground reality during Covid-19', about 65 per cent of India's elders lost their livelihood during the lockdown.

The nation-wide survey delved deep into the impact and challenges faced by the elderly during extended lockdown.

From accessing medicines to food and essential commodities, the elderly in the survey expressed their concern over a host of issues that got intensified during coronavirus-induced lockdown.

A 72-year-old woman residing in Delhi shares that her part time job as a maid has come to an end because her employers were reluctant to engage her services any longer.

Another 60-plus woman from Hyderabad explains that even buying essential commodities has become a burden for her as her son lost his job and there is hardly any source of income she could think about at the moment.

Similarly, a 67-year-old woman from Bihar narrates her helplessness as she lives with her relatives, enduring verbal abuse.

About 90% of India's elders belong to the unorganised sector, they have to continue working in their later years in order to make ends meet. More than 50 per cent of them suffer from diabetes, asthma, cancer and hypertension. Being confined to homes is only worsening their situation as they feel socially isolated.

Most senior citizens who eke out a living in various sectors say that they need more assistance and support, especially in the hour of crisis as 'stay home norm' makes them financially weak and emotionally insecure.