Arjun Bijlani, Ssharad Malhotra and other TV actors raise their voice for the elder citizens
The older generation represents the truest form of wisdom. They teach us so much: how to respect others, perseverance, and how to handle life situations. They have been through so many ups and downs in their lives. And to care for someone who once cared for us is the highest honour. The television world agrees. Read on to know how these telly actors want to take care of the elderly.
Pranitaa Pandit: Being in a joint family is what I believe is one answer to this problem. I’ve been brought up in a big joint family and truly value that even today. Family means everything to me and if we all live together with a little bit of adjustment and compromise, we will become responsible for not only taking care of the elders in the house but also others in society. Goodness begins at home.
Sneha Wagh: Taking care of the elderly is our responsibility. Be it our own relatives or maybe our neighbors, we should always care for them. A simple hello a few times a week can do wonders. Maybe we should check on them regularly to make sure they are okay.
Arjun Bijlani: At home, it’s easy to take care of the elders in your family. You can make sure that they have all that they need and that they are comfortable. But more importantly, it is your company that they need. You must spend time with them.
Vaishali Takkar: I always felt the need for a government department especially dedicated to looking after the safety of senior citizens, adopted infants, and special children (physically or mentally challenged). I have seen and heard many cases of people being ill-treated by their own family members. And neighbors too should be kind. My neighbor, an old aunt, lives alone, but whenever she’s sick or in any need, she doesn’t feel alone, since I am always there to help her.
Ssharad Malhotra: Elders become like children beyond a point. They need to be taken care of like them as well. So please make sure that the older people around you are happy. You can always check up on their health, accompany them to the places where they are hesitant to go alone, or just give them company.
Vikas Grover: Senior citizens are just like kids. People take hundreds of measures to keep their kids safe, but they tend to forget to do the same with the elderly. Neighbors should make regular checks on elderly residents. Further, housing societies can ask security guards to accompany visitors to the homes of senior citizens. The elderly should be accompanied at night as well.
Gurpreet Singh: Keep visiting your parents, be in touch. If you can install CCTVs inside and outside their homes, that’s great. But the best thing is if you can stay with them or bring them to the place where you are staying. If there is a wish, there is a way. The security guards in the area can also keep a list of senior citizens who are living alone and patrol their houses.
Sheeba: I think senior citizens should not be left alone and children should take care of them, no matter how busy they are. People who are working all day long should install CCTV cameras. The elderly should have proper security. Trusted and registered employees should be appointed for them. An hourly call should be made and they must be given a cell phone. An emergency helpline number should be put on speed dial. A pet or a trusted guard should help.
Akashdeep Sabir: I think we should have alarm bells that ring and light up the name and address of the elder who has pressed the panic alarm. The nearest cops should be there in minimum time. These are suggestions, but what should also happen is a regular visit by cops at the houses of elders. It just gives a silent warning that the elders are being watched and visited by cops and that will help keep trouble away, we hope. End of it all, unless we value lives and are educated and civilized, one-off sad incidents shall keep happening.