Abstract

A FOCUS ON SENESCENT ISSUES AND THEIR ANTIDOTES

DR. R. RAMYA

Volume: 5 Issue: 3 2015

Abstract:

The senescent or elderly issues are a matter of great concern in today’s world. The German proverb rightly points out that “the oldest trees often bear the sweetest fruit”; similarly we should remember the qualities and capabilities of our parents and grandparents who often produce a significant influence in molding our future. The life cycle of human beings begins and ends as dependents and during the whole life span consumption is greater than savings. The dependent population in the younger age groups is treated with much care and attention, but such care and attention towards the elderly or the old age dependents are not seen in our society. They face humiliation, rejection and ejection by their own dear kith and kin and consequently put in a realm of loneliness, depression, ill health and low economic status. As per Article 25 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights ‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control’. But in spite of all such protections majority are unaware of their rights. The awareness regarding the rights of elderly population is very essential in every society. Article 41of the Indian constitution too stressed that the state shall within the limits of its economic capacity and development make effective provision for securing the right to work, education and public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want. Similarly, Article 47 states that the State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as one of its primary duties which often include not only the working population but also the elderly and the children.

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