Thursday, 15 June 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Although Dehradun was once considered the most preferred place for the retired and elderly people, things are changing fast. The elderly people living in the city are now feeling increasingly lonely because of a variety of reasons.
The most important among these, according to the experts, is the indifference shown to them by the younger members of their families. “It is sad that the young people are choosing to stay glued to their smartphones, social media and the internet and they hardly invest time in making real conversations, particularly with the elderly. Spending time together with the family, particularly the senior members, seems to have become out-fashioned,” said the State programme manager of HelpAge India Krishna Avtar, adding that the deepening isolation of the senior members of the family are making them vulnerable to physical and mental ill-health.
“Showing indifference to the elderly is one of the most common forms of elder abuse. I have personally seen many senior citizens facing some sort of elder abuse. Not just this, they are verbally abused too in some cases,” he said.
Clinical psychologist Pratibha Sharma told this correspondent that she had met many senior citizens who are suffering from depression. “The reason behind their depression is nothing but the cold indifference shown to them by their children. They have time to talk to friends or others but they have hardly any time to show warmth to those who have brought them up.”
Recounting her experience, a senior citizen, Rekha said that despite their children being at home, she feels lonely and isolated. “My son is always busy talking on his phone. He never cares to connect with me emotionally. I live like a stranger in my own house, forlorn, uncared for. I wonder how I can deal with not being wanted by my only son,” she said.
