“One loses, as one grows older, something of the lightness of one’s dreams; one begins to take life up in both hands, and to care more for the fruit than the flower, and that is no great loss perhaps.” ― W.B. Yeats

Henria Unique Education Centre (HUEC) fills that when you have a senior citizen (or more) at home, it becomes imperative that you make an extra effort to ensure that their daily needs are taken care of. With aging comes a natural decline in physical and mental abilities, so it is essential that senior citizens feel at ease and at home

The terms ‘senior home care services’ or ‘home care services for the elderly’ are words very commonly used in western Culture, but the trend is catching up here in India. If you are amongst those who have parents or grandparents living at home or in a separate residence, you might want to consider equipping them with certain gadgets, devices, appliances and support aids that can help them do their daily tasks independently.

Elderly Women Need Special Attention

Women and men age differently. Both have their concerns. The problems of elderly women are exacerbated by a lifetime of gender based discrimination, often stemming from deep-rooted cultural and social bias. It is compounded by other forms of discrimination based on class, caste, disability, illiteracy, unemployment and marital status. Patriarchal hierarchy and access to property rights are also discriminatory. Burdened with household chores for a longer span of time compared to older men, older women don‟t have time for leisure or recreational activity. Women experience proportionately higher rates of chronic illness and disability in later life than men. Women suffer greater non-communicable diseases and experience lower social and mental health status, especially if they are single and/or widowed. Over 50% of women over age 80 are widows. Elderly women and their problems need special attention as their numbers are likely to increase in the future and, given the multiple disadvantages they face in life, they are likely to be grossly unprepared to tackle these issues.

 Rural Poor Need Special Attention

 Many households in rural areas at the bottom of the income distribution in India are too poor to save for their old age. Available resources are used to meet daily consumption needs. Even at slightly higher income levels there is likely to be little demand for savings and pension instruments that require a commitment of several decades. Instead, the savings of households in the lower deciles of the income distribution are likely to be earmarked for self-insurance against emergencies; or perhaps, in short term investments that increase their own productivity or the productivity of their children. Liquidity is highly valued. The absolute poor in India cannot be expected to participate in long term savings schemes for old age and they do not. The poverty in rural areas for older persons is increasing and needs attention. Hence rural poor would need social security in large measure.