By coming together, we create a family. But we first need to recognise what really constitutes a family. Is it the blood relation? Or is it the giving and receiving of care and love??
In Lotus, as in almost every apartment complex, there are elders living without their children and grandchildren and who feel lonely as a consequence. Then, there are also kids and teenagers who feel distanced because both their parents work.
We at ‘We Care’ therefore have taken an initiative to explore the possibility of bridging this age – related gap. To make this happen, we need to work out the specifics. Our study revealed that, within Boulevard and Espacia, around 150 elderly couples in the age group of 60 – 85 live alone: another 450-odd old couples stay with their children and grandchildren. The number of children is more than 600.
There is no denying that older people are a potential source of vast experiential learning which no book or curriculum or social media can provide. While youth today relies on a vast range of social media outlets, it needs to understand a broad perspective properly to make life meaningful, purposeful and useful. This can be learnt best from seniors who have gone through the challenges of life successfully.
There is, unfortunately, a taboo associated with senior citizens that they are silent, slow and physically weak. However, they are the real mines of experience and knowledge. Look at Rahul Dravid, not an elder in age but certainly an older cricket legend, who coached the T20 World Cup winning Indian cricket team. Or look at our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, at 73, is steering the country to greater heights in the world economy.
Elderly people’s amiability and encouragement, coupled with their experience, can be a boon to all. At the same time, their craving for company or for a helping hand needs to be catered to. We thus seek volunteers for our We Care initiative to fuel this collaboration.
If you would like to devote at least an hour per week to give company to the old residents of Lotus and to help them navigate challenges like technology, bill payments etc., please reach out to us by filling this Google Form
