Though there is no accepted age bracket for defining the elderly population, people aged 60 years or above are considered elders in Bangladesh. Many people consider the elders a burden on them and often send them to old-age homes. But this is nothing but an injustice to those who have sacrificed their lives for our happiness. So, what we can do for our elderly parents is to focus on effective care-giving techniques like nurturing, reassuring, protecting, loving, and ensuring no compromise on our parents' dignity and respect. We should try to be as good a son or a daughter as is humanly possible. We must remember that these people took care of us when we were helpless and now it is our turn to take care of them.
However, it is unfortunate that we see many senior citizens abandoned by their own children and leading a lonely life in old-age homes. We should not forget that each one of us shall reach old age sooner or later and unless we take care of the seniors, we may be subjected to similar treatment. The elderly people deserve to be treated with love and respect so that they can live the last days of their life peacefully. We should create a society which is respectful to its senior citizens.
Abu Elias Linkon,
Banasree, Dhaka,
lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com