On World Senior Citizens’ Day, which is observed on August 21, people around the world honour and appreciate the contributions, wisdom and experiences of senior citizens in our communities. The special day also reminds us to support and care for the elderly, ensuring their well-being and inclusion in society. Today, My Kolkata spoke to a few senior citizens and asked them to share their vision for a more age-friendly city. Find out what they had to say…
Digital literacy for senior citizens
“On World Senior Citizens' Day, it's essential to implement awareness initiatives, including basic digital literacy and hobby classes for the elderly. Alongside these steps, rectifying certain issues becomes imperative. Neglected footpaths across Kolkata often pose risks, hampered further by vendors encroaching upon pavements. Chaotic crossings by auto rickshaws exacerbate the situation. Festivals bring uncontrolled loud music late into the night, causing discomfort for the elderly. Despite this, the introduction of Pronam by former police commissioner Gautam Chakraborty offers solace. This initiative assigns dedicated personnel to police stations, assisting senior citizens in various ways. Men and women after the age of 65 can enrol themselves at the police stations of their area. There are people employed by the police stations, who visit our homes and help us in various ways.
Healthy senior citizens have valuable contributions to offer society. Educating domestic help about hygiene and supporting children's education are ways we can give back. However, we're sometimes bewildered by modern abbreviations like ASAP, EOD, and DIY. It would be helpful if a booklet containing these abbreviations could be shared with the elderly, fostering better understanding between generations.”
— Rita Ambett, 72, retired teacher
Elevators at all Metro stations and more old-age homes
“As we get older, our need for assistance grows. The list runs long, but here are a few that need immediate attention. Elevators at all railway and Metro stations will be appreciated, besides escalators. With old age, escalators also become troublesome as I have seen many elderly people fall while stepping in and out of these moving stairs.
The next is an adequate number of electric cars (carts) at railway stations to take us up to the compartment in which we would travel. Most often the AC coaches are far behind and we end up walking and and getting tired a lot.
We also need more wheelchair-accessible slopes along with the stairs at the entry and exit points of all public buses, trains and pavements for easy accessibility.
Lastly, we need more old-age homes in the city, which are more like a co-living space and not a mundane dumping yard for old folks. Old-age homes should have a healthy environment where we can spend our final years spending peaceful time with people of the same age. Activities, hobbies etc should be nurtured at these homes along with medical assistance and shelter."
— Victor E Ambett, 79, retired corporate professional
Playing indoor games, exchanging recipes
“On World Senior Citizens’ Day, I wish Kolkata had more accessible transportation. Hygienic and reasonably priced health care centres and services along with technology assistance can greatly improve the quality of life.
Senior citizens, living alone, face loneliness. So creating age-friendly environments and social activities can be of great help with depression in elderly people. Community activity involvement greatly helps people our age to keep busy. Monthly or fortnightly visitations to the homes of the aged by community members (especially, younger people) is something they look forward to and appreciate. This used to happen before, but with time, the frequency of people organising programmes at old-age homes are limited to festivities only. Playing indoor games with them, exchanging recipes or just listening to their life stories can inspire other younger community members too.”
— Anita Arathoon, 60+, author and educationist
Communities for senior citizens
“We are two old ladies living together with our children. Although we have a granddaughter to help us with most of the things, we need more assistance when we step out. For example, while there are app cabs, most of us don't know how to book one. We depend on our children, who are our guardians now. So, I think we need training for these apps. Also, it would be nice to have communities that help senior citizens to engage in some kind of activities.”
— Bedana Rani Saha, 86, homemaker
Parks for senior citizens
“There is a dearth of senior citizens’ parks in the city. There are parks in the localities which are mostly closed or occupied by youngsters leaving no space for us to take a walk or spend some time with our friends.
Also, I feel we need more empathy and assistance from people. If you see elderly people out on the street on their own, make sure you help them with things like crossing the road, leaving the senior citizens’ seat on public transport, helping them get on and off public transport etc”
— Maya Rani Saha, 83, homemaker
Health service at home
“My husband’s health isn't good, and he struggles to walk steadily. We need to see his doctor regularly, but it’s hard for us, because we're seniors without transportation. The roads are in poor condition, and there’s heavy traffic, making it unsafe for us to walk. We wish there were services that offered someone who could assist us in getting to the doctor's and back home.”
— P. Anthony, 73, retired teacher
(Input by Karo Christine Kumar )
