Thiruvananthapuram: Experts at the daylong programme on geriatric care, stressed the need for a multi-pronged strategy to meet the growing challenges of elderly care in the state. The programme titled “the old age of a Malayalee, are the preparations sufficient” addressed the major issues confronting geriatric care in the state. It was inaugurated by US-based noted cancer specialist Dr M.V. Pillai. Experts said that there was no blaming the government or expecting too much from the establishment. Planning for old age should start with the children at home. It is the duty of parents to create awareness among children on how to take care of elderly at home.
On the existing law which makes it mandatory for children to take care of their elderly parents, the experts felt that there was a need to look beyond legislations. There should be real love for the elderly and it should not be imposed through law or legislations. They said that the next generation should be mentally prepared for an era where children and parents lived independently. Unrealistic expectations were one of the major causes for the problem. Experts believed that it was time to come out of sentimental thoughts like children should be with their parents during the old age, they should be beside their bed at the time of death and should be there to attend the funeral. But the fact is that most children are holding responsible jobs and are highly stressed. They may not find enough time to be always be with their elderly parents.
Doctors said that parents often laid stress on studies and studies. Other values are not given enough importance. Hence, during their old age, the children cannot be entirely blamed for the neglect. The experts also pointed out that if agreeable by relatives, there should be a rethink over providing ventilator support or other artificial life support systems for 80 plus seriously ill patients. There is a need to discuss issues like passive euthanasia. Dr Arun Shankar, Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, Dr Arun B Nair, Dr John Panicker, Dr George Oonakoor and R Parvathi Devi spoke on different topics.
