The Test of Society is the Way it Cares for its Elders

In recent times media has highlighted instances when elders in families have been thrown out of their homes or harassed by family members to seek shelter elsewhere. This situation seems contrary in a country where religious traditions have prevailed and the concept of righteous living has been instilled with regard to respect for elders and care for infants. However, one tends to wonder whether this new pattern of behaviour will continue though to many this may appear callous and unethical yet it seem to stem from the inability of the individuals who are unable to cope economically to care and maintain their elders. 

And if economic causes are the reasons then it would appear that the future will record more and more such instances, for today from the privileged sectors of society to the under-privileged. 

The elders are faced by various problems who no longer represent the extended family but are often a nuisance to their adult children who are unable to care for them. Globally the aged population has been increasing and according to available statistical data it is estimated that in Sri Lanka while the population over 65 years in 1995 was 6.2 per cent , according to projections it will more than double by 2033 reaching 22 per cent. Its highest growth rate is expected during the coming two decades with a 3.65 per cent. 

Globally, retirement has been considered as a golden time and often organizations in developed countries provided various schemes whereby the elders could continue to enjoy their leisure years. In Sri Lanka however the situation tends to be different, for often it happens that when a person retires he/ she will be living and would be cared for by the children. 

Due to this traditional acceptance of an age long custom that was strengthened and extolled by religious beliefs that the children would care for the elderly the state itself did not consider the impact the aging population would have with the transformation of the socio economic climate in the country. Seldom did the family itself consider the state Homes for elders as a necessary need. 

But the present existing situation has created new realities. However strident the voices of religious and cultural advocates be, a new system of cultural concepts are emerging created by economic priorities. In rural and urban , increasing numbers of children are moving away from their homes. And various surveys have found that in many instances the elders lived alone . Some of these elders had financial support either through the pensions they received or assistance from children who were living abroad and were able to live in rather lonely comfort, But the majority do not have such financial means and hence are dependent on their children but with the change that is taking place such a dependence creates innumerable problems. 

Traditionally especially in rural it was accepted that the youngest son was gifted the family home by his parents so that he would provide for them in their old age. But the age old customs in rural Sri Lanka have gradually undergone change firstly with rural migration to the city in search of better forms of sustainable livelihood .City living in cramped apartments or small houses often do not suit the rural elderly who are used to the casual lifestyle of the village. 

Often there is friction between grandchildren and grandparents and even with the children who have acclimatized themselves to suburban living. This situation gets aggravated with the limited family resources and children seek to place their parents in state homes since private homes for elders have various conditions, which make placing parents in them impossible for those with limited finances. Furthermore due to the emotional and traumatic conditions experienced by both elders and children living in cramped households very often the elders are subject to mental stress and long to go back to their accustomed rural environment but lack the wherewithal to do so. 

In rural areas too with women seeking employment in the Middle East or in various other countries which appear to have more economically attractive conditions the elderly do not have traditional care. Furthermore since most of the elderly have worked in the private and unorganized sector, or been in agricultural and casual work, labourers with low wages, they do not have sufficient means to sustain themselves and hence cannot live alone and their equally financially deprived families are unable to care for them . Invariably they are abandoned and have to eke out some existence for themselves or seek shelter in State homes which often have very limited facilities. 

Given the present situation it is essential that a system of social security coverage is provided for the destitute elderly since traditional, family support of old people will be more reduced than it is at present. 

Perhaps this was the reason that in 1987, the first attempt was made in providing social security to the unorganized sector introducing legislation for a the Farmers' Pension and Social Security Benefit Schemes . 

In 1991 the Fishermen's Pension and Social Security Benefits Scheme was launched. By 2002 the Farmers' Pension and Social Security Benefits Scheme had a membership of over 600,000 and the Fishermen's Scheme around 46,000. But essentially both these schemes do not have a vibrant awareness programme and a viable collection of premiums and hence do not cover all those who are engaged in these industries. 

In addition the attitude that most of those in lowly paid seasonal work have towards saving schemes and the lack of security of employment prevents the needed enthusiastic support to make these social security benefit schemes more successful. 

An universal pension scheme proposal had been submitted as a Cabinet memorandum, some time ago by the then Ministry of Social Services but was turned down because it meant increasing taxes and the present moment certainly such an idea is not feasible when the government has not only so many financial constraints but also is cash strapped to take of the highly publicized programme for development . 

Perhaps since the Parliamentary Act No. 09 of 2000 for the Protection of the Rights of Elders included a social security pension scheme for self-employed persons it may be possible for the Ministry of Social service could develop a scheme whereby the elders receive a sustainable income. Let it not be said of Sri Lanka that "We've put more effort into helping folks reach old age than into helping them enjoy it.".