TISS initiates study of old age homes in state

TISS initiates study of old age homes in state

Mihika Basu  

Indian Express

Posted: Mon,Mar 14 2011, 01:58 hrs  

Mumbai

While there currently exists no regulations that stipulate the minimum facilities that a home for senior citizens must provide, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has, for the first time, initiated a study in this direction in its platinum jubilee year. 

“We will study old age homes in Mumbai and Pune region as a pilot project. Currently, there is very little input from the state government on homes for senior citizens. Most of them are run by private organisations and a majority function on charity. While some run them like religious ashrams, others work as leisure and recreational facilities. There are no minimum standards that are prescribed by the state. For instance, there is no regulation that spells out what should be the square foot area per individual residing,” said Nasreen Rustomfram, professor at the Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS. 

The Centre for Lifelong Learning, which is part of the joint action committee for senior citizens in the state, will assess the present condition and subsequently submit their recommendations to the state. “While determining the sample size, our team had several difficulties. Most homes are aware of the fact that there exists several lacunae, which they ascribe to their funding position. Hence they are wary of sharing information, fearing that if the real picture is shown to the public, it will bring a bad name to their organisation despite their hard work,” she said.

The Centre for Lifelong Learning, in partnership with the joint committee, is also attempting to make the state implement the various laws in place for senior citizens. The joint action committee had also submitted a memorandum to the state on the various laws for senior citizens. “The national policy on older persons (1999), the ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007’ and the widows’ pension scheme have remained mere policies on paper. We are pushing for the state government to implement these provisions,” said Rustomfram.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to create awareness about the needs of senior citizens among stakeholders and the general public, TISS is all set to host a mega festival later this year. It is one of the events that will mark the platinum jubilee celebrations of the institute. “It will highlight all the issues we have been talking about,” she added. From their housing needs to a range of products that cater to the elderly, from highlighting social issues affecting the elderly to creating awareness about the need to implement their basic rights, the festival will focus on various aspects. Students of the diploma in gerontology programme, run by the Centre, will assist in planning and organising the festival.