As societies evolve and cultures modernize, one aspect that often gets overlooked in the fast-paced world is the care and well-being of elderly parents. In a country like India, where values of family and respect for elders are deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric, the growing neglect of senior citizens is both alarming and heart breaking. The care of old age parents is not merely a personal responsibility—it is a societal obligation, a moral compass, and a human necessity.
Traditionally, the Indian joint family system provided a natural support mechanism for the elderly. Parents lived with their children, often in multi-generational homes, where they were respected as the pillars of the household. They played a crucial role in imparting wisdom, helping with child-rearing, and maintaining cultural continuity.
However, with the rise of nuclear families, urban migration, and increasing work-related stress, this structure is gradually disintegrating. Children move to different cities or even countries for better opportunities, leaving behind their aging parents. While economic progress is important, the cost at which it is achieved often includes emotional and social alienation of the elderly.
Old age is often accompanied by loneliness, insecurity, and emotional vulnerability. As parents age, they do not just face physical health issues but also require emotional connection and mental support. They may feel neglected, anxious, or even depressed due to the absence of meaningful interaction and companionship.
A simple phone call, regular visits, or engaging them in conversations about their interests and past experiences can make a significant difference. Taking time to listen to their stories or asking for their advice, even on small matters, can help them feel valued and respected. Emotional care cannot be substituted with financial support; it requires presence, empathy, and genuine affection.
While many elderly parents may have pensions or savings, a significant number remain financially dependent on their children, especially in rural areas. Rising medical costs, inflation, and the lack of proper social security systems aggravate their vulnerability. Children must ensure their parents have access to necessary medical treatment, secure housing, and daily necessities. This responsibility should not be seen as a burden but as a reciprocation of the years of care and sacrifice made by parents in raising their children.
Creating joint accounts, providing monthly allowances, or including them in financial planning are ways to ensure their financial independence. Importantly, it also safeguards them from financial abuse, which is an often underreported yet growing concern among the elderly. With aging come various health complications—arthritis, diabetes, vision problems, mobility issues, or more serious conditions like Alzheimer’s or cardiovascular diseases. Caring for elderly parents involves scheduling regular health check-ups, ensuring medication is taken on time, providing a nutritious diet, and arranging for physical assistance when required.
If possible, hiring a caregiver or nurse can help manage their daily routines, especially if children live away. Installing safety features in homes, like railings, non-slippery mats, and proper lighting, is also crucial to prevent accidents. More than anything, ensuring dignity in old age is paramount.
India has laws in place for the protection of senior citizens, such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, which legally mandates children to care for their parents. Though rarely enforced, it reflects the importance of legal backing in ensuring elders’ welfare.
On a community level, senior citizen associations, day care centers, and helplines play a supportive role, especially for those who have no family. Civil society must be proactive in creating safe, inclusive, and respectful spaces for the elderly to socialize, stay active, and feel involved. Governments must take the lead in creating age-friendly environments. This includes enhancing pension schemes, subsidized healthcare, old-age homes with proper facilities, and ensuring public transport is accessible to the elderly. Campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of elder care can help shift societal attitudes and reduce stigma around old-age dependency.
Similarly, schools and institutions must include lessons in moral education that stress the value of respecting and caring for elders. Volunteering opportunities for youth to engage with senior citizens can also create an empathetic and responsible generation.
In the digital age, technology can play a meaningful role in bridging emotional distances. Teaching elderly parents to use smartphones, video calls, or voice assistants helps them stay connected with their loved ones. Several apps now offer health monitoring, medication reminders, and social engagement platforms specifically designed for seniors.
Children living abroad or in distant cities can still maintain regular contact, help manage finances digitally, and be involved in decisions related to their parents’ care. Technology, when used mindfully, can enhance rather than replace human connection.
Elderly parents do not seek charity; they seek love, dignity, and respect. They are the very people who have sacrificed their dreams to fulfill those of their children. They have stood as pillars of strength through every struggle, provided education, shelter, and love—often at the cost of their own well-being. Caring for them in their old age is not a favor—it is the least we can do.
Respecting their opinions, involving them in family decisions, celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries, and acknowledging their contributions foster a culture of appreciation and dignity. Elders must not be viewed as a burden but as a blessing.
In many cultures, especially in India, looking after aging parents is not just a social norm—it’s a spiritual duty. Scriptures in almost every religion emphasize the importance of serving parents. From a karmic perspective, the care offered to one’s parents is believed to bring spiritual merit and inner peace.
Festivals and rituals also become opportunities to bond with the elderly and seek their blessings. Reviving these traditions and family gatherings strengthens inter-generational ties and reinforces the cultural roots of gratitude and reverence. Caring for old age parents is a test of character, empathy, and humanity. As children, we owe our very existence, values, and achievements to the unconditional love and sacrifices of our parents. Their aging is a natural phase of life—one that requires support, not abandonment.
In a world increasingly driven by individualism and materialism, it is imperative to pause and reflect on our responsibilities. Let us not measure success by wealth or status alone, but by how compassionately we treat those who nurtured us. After all, how we care for our elders today will define how we are cared for tomorrow.
The author can be mailed at [email protected]
Twitter/ X: @haniefmha
