Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries of South Asian Region. As per the population census of 2022, people aged 60 years and above are considered as senior citizens and their number is 9.28% of the total population (more than 2.5 crore) of the country.

Likewise, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has predicted that the older people will cover 10.09% in 2025, while the number is expected to increase enormously around 17% in 2050. In spite of rapidly increasing numbers of the older population, development protection of their rights and wellbeing is less visible in Bangladesh. The older people need inclusive attention and care equally like any other segment of the population.

Like different regions of the world, many Asian countries have already started to pay attention in developing elderly support programs and legal framework. Bangladesh is far behind from many Asian countries in ensuring proper protection and minimum social security services for the senior citizens. At present, the traditional joint family structures have broken down and familial support to the older people have been reduced drastically.

Due to the absence of proper protective mechanisms, millions of older people are living a miserable life within and outside the family.

Moreover, community home-based care and residential care facilities has not developed yet in the country. Rather, the concept of old homes, caregivers and rehabilitation centers are getting popular as well. Accordingly, there is no regulatory framework or monitoring authority specifically for old homes and centers. Traditionally it isnot much appreciated by the society because of the prevailing social, cultural, and religious norms of the country.

Rights refer to power, position and status, through power, position and status right is being established. By the virtue of the above-mentioned three things, a society becomes glamorous and shining. Society loses its charms, dignity and prestige without access to rights of fundamental things in human life.

Human life becomes barren and inactive where there is a lack of rights. Where there is no exercise and honest practice of equal rights, humanity is hampered. Society collapses, its identity is lost and finally it gets ruined. People are a part and parcel of society.

In every society, people have the right to live, right to eat, right to wear, right to education etc. By definition of people we mean every individual and all others collectively. By birth all people irrespective of children, youth and the elderly are citizens of the state. From immediate after birth rights to be claimed by every citizen and these rights to be upheld before death.

If somebody thinks that after a certain time rights of human life will have to be shortened. According to them only the brave and the younger will deserve the fair. To them, the old cannot deserve and maintain fairness. They should have no right to share in fairness and also cannot share in nation building.

In some so-called progressive countries, the old are hated, they are not duly honored. Even in some countries the old are suggested to leave the world not by giving burdens to others. This is totally inhuman. Actually the old should be treated as gold. If they live a long time and contribute to the nation with their experience and ideas, it would be an added value for building an ideal society.

In our society, there are many old and crippled persons who are not properly respected by their successors. The old father or mother is not properly looked after. Rather they are treated inhumanely. They are tortured by their family members or even abused.

Service is not rendered properly to them. They are maltreated and no nourishment is provisioned for them. They are kept isolated, unfed and pass time with no medical care. They often live in unhygienic and unhealthy environments. No safe drinking water, clean bed-room, wash-room, bath-room is allocated for them. They are not well attended even at the time of their critical condition.

In the west or developed countries, there are old management centers. The old are managed there as per routine program followed by the designated rules and policies of the center chief and supervisors. There are a required number of attendants and nurses to look after their everyday affairs. How will the center be managed? It will be ascertained by their wishes, likings and disliking’s. A board may be constituted by the members from them.

They sit together, discuss and find out the points and counterpoints of the system which need to be maintained. In the west, all are guaranteed by the government. Everything is brought to a specified scale. In no way, we should be intolerant and inconsiderate to them.

Hence, it is the need of time to address the issue of the elderly shelter homes and provide them care in a better way. This article focuses on socio-legal aspects of old homes in Bangladesh and possible recommendations for the betterment of the elderly care delivery. The old people should be provided with the recreational facilities and necessary privileges. They should not be isolated from society. If they are detached it would be very unkind and cruel. Directly and indirectly there should be the arrangement to join every social affair.

By participation in the program or any festival, they can enjoy and get the mental satisfaction as if they are part and parcel of the family and social events. If any old man has any hobby of his own, he must be given the freedom to do it.

If one is interested in indoor playing, he/she must be allowed to do it. An old man or woman needs a company to perform recreational job. These arrangements need to be made for their peace. They should have a different world from where they can find pleasure and charms of life. The way they want to lead their life may not be accommodative. But they should be assisted and given the support of all means what they deserve. They should chat, play, have fun, practice reading newspapers, work, smile, watch movies and share love, feeling and emotion. Always he must pass his time in enjoyment and merriment.

Old are not always neglected. In their old age they can help us with their teaching, wisdom, knowledge and experience. By their experience society can be enriched and we can flourish ourselves. Although old are not gold they must be cared cordially and taken care of. And finally all their rights and privileges must be maintained.May this World Senior Citizen Day bring you joy, love and the recognition you truly deserve. You are an inspiration to us all.

(The author is a former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP; Rotary Learning Facilitator, Rotary Club,
Dhaka Elite).