Aging: Dilemma of Elderly People and Problems of Adjustments

 

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“Crabbed age and youth cannot live together;

Youth is full of pleasure, age is full of care;

Youth is like summer morn, age like winter weather;

Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare;

Youth is full of sport, age breath is short;

Youth is nimble, age is lame;

Youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold…”

-William Shakespeare

Years ago, when Shakespeare wrote the above lines, he might not have a realization that senectitude can also be bliss. It depends on the attitude of a person and his way of tackling the inevitable stage of life, which has to be accepted. Ironically, more often than not, people of middle-age constantly poke and ridicule the aged.  

Of many funny things, one which is cyclically seen, especially on the social media platforms, is suggestions about how to feel juvenile, young or agile after 60. It targets the gullible ageing population. Needless to say that such thought processes show a phobia of increasing age and also a weak mentality. The social media posts often highlight the latent fear and desperation that people start getting into their psyche. Phrases like 'How to feel like 16 after 60', 'Age is a matter of numbers', ‘Life starts after fifty’ or likes are seen frequenting in bold-face. This tendency ought to be slough off. Sooner the better. 

The psychological symptoms start appearing the day one becomes a sexagenarian. It is the officially announced cut off date for being bracketed as ‘Senior Citizen’. The negative factor of uselessness stealthily creeps in, especially in those who retire after more than three decades of service. Increasing age-related problems are mainly, if not completely, due to aversion resulting from rearing feelings of insecurity and helplessness. Endless do and don'ts inhibit aged people to live a tension-free life. They always remain on alert about their food, its quantity and their way of living. The duels of reality and fiction leave them in the lurch. While their mind is engrossed in the ways to behave and feel like a teenager, dotage and senile conditions combined with decrepitude lead them to behave differently. It leads to exasperation. This is not done, it is ridiculous. Senior Citizens ought to be serious in their attitude. 

The age-shaming and passing ludicrous remarks on the aged people dishearten them. Ostracizing parents from homes, inhumane behaviour with them and constant demeaning by adult children frequently come to light. The brawl is often dragged to courts that pass judgements/orders on such cases. 

Ageing is a global phenomenon. It is natural. One who is born has to pass through it. It is an intermediary stage between life and death. In India, with the improved lifestyle, increased and advanced health care system, effective disease and pandemic control the ‘Population ageing’ has become significant, contributing to the progressive increase in the elderly population. As per NSO data, while in 1962 the elderly were 5.6% of the total population, they are now 10.1% in 2021. The number is estimated to reach 194 million in 2031. 

The phase has to be accepted with grace, not with panic and exasperation. Keeping in mind the uncertainty of life, an old person must endeavour to keep fit and agile. Pessimism should be a big no and kept at bay. A positive approach with a healthy and happy lifestyle should be adopted. Good or bad, the aged people have had their time. They led lives as per their desires during their heydays. It is time they should gracefully give way to the younger generation. By the same token, decent behaviour, affection and care by the younger generation of the family buttresses the confidence of sexagenarians and above. 

Among various do and don'ts, mentioned earlier, the frequent bogeyman is that of death by heart attacks due to ‘High Cholesterol’ and ‘Fats’, contained in certain food items. Without going into details about the disease and chemicals the foodstuffs contain, suffice would it be to say that feeding habits are area-based. It depends upon the geographical and climatic conditions of the country. In a fast-shrinking world where the globe is becoming a large community, cultural blending and experimenting with food is common. In the past, we have seen numerous blendings that catalyzed the evolution of varieties in food items. The blending, however, was according to the need and gradual. It gave ample time to assimilate and become part of culture and climate. Unlike the present scenario, it was not bombarded. People are now being lured and forced to adopt new food by constantly harping them through aggressive marketing gimmicks. They are forced to change their belief in the favour of so-called ‘Fast-food’; insidiously cultivating a feeling of being left out if they do not adopt new habits including food. Projected as a symbol of modernization and change, it is linked with the economy of employment generation. People are trying to beeline and ape without giving it a thought.

Blindfold aping leads to body malfunctioning and serious ailments including serious health issues or even death. Elderly people are no exception. Adoption of alien food without reasoning is unhealthy. Pizza, Pasta, Burgers et cetera are the staple food of Italy and other West European countries. They, however, consume it with lots of green vegetables without much saute. Majorly they use raw virgin oil for dressing their food. What to eat and what not is purely a personal choice. People are free to choose the type of their diet. However, the choice according to age and physical condition is the best. It applies to senior citizens, especially those who are in a vulnerable position due to their weak health. 

Impacting the mind and compelling people to take up new foodstuffs is a marketing gimmick. They try to adjust their junk to suit Indian taste buds by making it spicy and hot. Their thrust is on taste, not nutritional or calorific value. First, they create liking, provoke to consume, then start giving hype and terrorize about their side effects. It is obvious why despite so much hype against health risks, multinational fast-food outlets are on a rampant hike. The brands manufacturing and selling aerated drinks and other such products are also popular. It is a vicious cycle resulting from the nexus of the system and multinational/pharma companies.

Food impacts physiological and psychological conditions of the body and is related to geriatrics. Contextually, Indian food is balanced and proper. Freshly cooked food is free from contamination and infection. In India, people do not frequently use canned, frozen or preserved food items but habitually consume freshly prepared food. Light, easily digestible and healthy food is good at the advanced stage of life. Even occasional intake may harm them. Affected by media hype and family conditions, senior and aged members may not get food properly. Elderlies need independence and financial security. 

Ancient India had had a scientifically designed system of ‘Ashram’ for the regulated and disciplined human life. The four compartmentalized stages - ‘Brahmcharya’, ‘Grihastha’, ‘Vanprastha’ and ‘Sanyaas’ - were for the proper and graceful performance of duties in life. In Ramayana, king Dushrath thought and decided to transfer his kingdom to his eldest son Ram and retreat to the forest when he saw his greying sideburns in a mirror. Ageing is not a curse, as Shakespeare had said in his poem nor it is comparable with any stage of life. Every stage is unique and short-lived and needs to be enjoyed. It is the bliss of life; live the present to the fullest. 

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