Helping senior citizens

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has mentioned recently that the average life expectancy of the people here has already exceeded 70 years. While this is undoubtedly a great development for a country like Bangladesh, it should be noted that people in their '60s begin suffering from physical, mental and financial afflictions.

There are about 14 million people in Bangladesh aged over 60 years now. It has been projected that this number will increase manifolds by 2050. In another survey, it was found that two-thirds of Bangladesh's senior citizens are poor. As such, most of them cannot satisfy their basic needs. Some of them are disabled. Most of them have to rely on their children or other family members. Some extremely poor senior citizens end up pulling rickshaws, do odd jobs or join begging for survival.

In recent times, more and more households are opting for small families. As such, elderly family members are being asked to live separately. This causes loneliness and depression among these senior citizens.

Elderly members of a family should be a part of the household decision-making process. They should not be left alone or forced to live separately. These measures can be taken by other family members.

The government can come up with plans and initiatives that can help the senior citizens. Schemes like old age insurance, health insurance, universal insurance etc will also help.

Soaib Ahmed

Student, University of Dhaka

[email protected]