In India, it is observed that the Senior Citizens (above 60 years) from the poorer class are required to fend for themselves
and lie neglected even in their own homes. The home they live in becomes more of a jail for them as they are not allowed enough economic freedom to live a life of their own choice. Some Elders (Senior Citizens) who "earn" a pension find that their pension does not meet the current spiralling inflation. Some get a pension of about Rs. 6000/- (US$ 250) p.m. which is not even sufficient to take care of their household needs. Living alone, most do not find the society sensitive to their needs and get frustrated while trying to make their two ends meet.
The medical bills and visits to hospitals have become costly due to advances of technology, which have introduced more effective, but costly medical processes and
medicines. In case of an emergency, some Elders, who have saved over their spring years, find these savings being sucked away by the costly medical process and the follow-up medicines. Some cases of Suicide by such Elders or ''missing'' person reports are printed in the press. As these Elders are not ''newsworthy'' many media donot report on such cases or give them less prominent pages.
The answer lies in making the life of these Elders more secure by providing them financial and
emotional support. The younger generation (18 - 30) who would also grow old, can take a pledge to support at least one such Elder in their neighbourhood. They can pool in some finances to support the Elder, wherever required. My contention is that most Elders need more of emotional support rather than financial. They want to be able to talk to a person for some time about themselves and learn from the younger person. It is as if the younger person infuses a sense of youth in them and reminds them of their younger days.