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No place for the aged in nuclear families
Though most of the inmates of the old age home run by the Centre in the district headquarters have got well settled children, they are living like orphans. Some 38 of the total 40 inmates are abandoned by their beloved kin. Left with no option, the aged people are forced to take shelter in the old age home.
Abandoned by kin, the elderly take shelter in old age homes
Adilabad: Though most of the inmates of the old age home run by the Centre in the district headquarters have got well settled children, they are living like orphans. Some 38 of the total 40 inmates are abandoned by their beloved kin. Left with no option, the aged people are forced to take shelter in the old age home.
The disappearance of the joint family system in modern times has proved to be a bane to the elderly. Most of the young couples are least bothered about the well-being of their parents in the era of nuclear families. The fast erosion of family values has become a matter of serious concern to civilized society.
The inmates who were neglected by their children and grandchildren narrated their plight when The Hans India visited the old age home. Pothanna (66) of Basara has two sons and two daughters. His wife died when the children were young. He brought them up with loving care. He provided them education and performed their marriages after they got jobs.
Though they are well-off and leading a comfortable life, none of his children came forward to take care of him in the old age. ``I left home unable to bear the insults heaped upon me by my sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. It is pity that my children failed to fulfill their moral obligation towards their father. All my sacrifices to bring them up went waste,’’ he said.
Gangamma of Dwaraka Kondapur village in Dandepally mandal was thrown out of the house by her daughter without any gratitude though she raised her grandchildren till they attained young age. Her daughter is a nurse and son-in-law is a railway employee. Her nourishment is not at all a financial burden to the couple. ``My daughter closed the gate of the house after forcing me out. Though the couple is enjoying my property, my daughter and son-in-law have failed to show the decency of looking after me in old age,’’ she said.
Vithal Rao of Jainath village brought up his sons and daughters while doing vegetable business. After being ill-treated by his sons and daughters, he joined the old age home. His family members failed to visit him even when he fell ill. ``It is very sad that family values have taken a beating in the materialistic world. Nowadays, everything is measured in terms of money. There is no place for love and affection,’’ he said.
There are many heart-rending tales at the old age home. All the stories are almost similar when it comes to ill-treatment. Both men and women are being subjected to neglect when they become old. Urgent measures need to be taken to check the falling family values. The government should focus on welfare of senior citizens. Otherwise, the life of the old people will become miserable, said a social activist.
By T Anjaiah
