State responsibility in caring for elderly people

Abstract

Elderly is an obvious reality and last stage of human life cycle. In practice, most of the elderly people in our country suffer from some basic human problems, such as poor financial support, absence of proper health and medicine facilities, family negligence, deprivation, and socioeconomic insecurity. Moreover, there are no separate facilities for the old people in public transports, at ticket counters, banks and hospitals etc. In both private and public hospitals, there are no separate geriatrics departments for elderly care. It is the responsibility of the society to give these elderly people      priorities in getting all civic services, including hospitals, banks, offices and courts. In Bangladesh, there are resource constraints, capacity problems, infrastructural   weaknesses, education deficiencies, and poor attitudes and expectations in relation to caring for elderly people. Elderly people mostly suffer from some physical illness and they need comprehensive medical care services. Provision of health care for elderly people at various sites such as hospitals, nursing homes, old age homes and other places of shelter should be within the umbrella of legislative protection of rights and effective legal redress mechanism should be in place to guard against violations of rights. It is an ethical and moral responsibility to extend best care towards senior citizens so that they can pass their ending days of life with respect, proper care, and security. There is need to establish standards for service care providers, including in-home, community-based and residential settings. Every social policy should include a policy of active aging for elderly population. In addition, concerned personnel should assist the senior citizens so that they can enjoy their legal rights properly.