To start old age homes or not

Even as Bhutan makes progress, an increasing number of its citizens find themselves on the fringes of society. This trend is particularly noticeable in the bigger towns. Over the last few years, we have observed the number of homeless people in Thimphu city increase rapidly. The area surrounding the centennial farmers’ market has become home many such people. They sit by the bridge all day, every day, whining for money as the passersby strut by hurriedly.

The scene is an eyesore, and it is disturbing. It is disturbing to see our parents and grandparents harshly cast aside in the twilight of their lives. This is happening even as we take the GNH discourse to a higher and more practical level. And there lies the irony – in fact, a moral dilemma.

Trashigang Dzongkhag has built the country’s first old age home recently. That, ironically, happens to be in a village where the traditional family values and community spirit are still strong. The first old age home comes at a time when the country is still not sure whether old age homes are the best answer to the growing destitution among elderly citizens in the country.

Some people say that old age homes look out of place in a GNH society. Destitution should not be a GNH society’s problem in the first place. But if destitution cannot be prevented, a way to address it must be thought of. And the immediate and most practical way is old age homes.

However, some people, including high government officials, think that old age homes can become a reason for some Bhutanese families to leave their elderly members uncared for. They might also attract ‘self-professed’ destitute people. Starting old age home, therefore, comes with a big moral question. But the need is written large on the woebegone, emaciated faces of old beggars in Thimphu and a few other dzongkhags.

It is high time that the government put in place a system to address the growing destitution in the country, which should be understood as being symptomatic of the erosion of finer social and family values. Until now, neither the government nor any civil society organisation has made concerted efforts to bring back homeless people to the mainstream society. For how long can we brush off the growing problem? Do we not hear the whine?

3 Responses to “To start old age homes or not”

1. heavenonearth says:

   April 12, 2011 at 3:28 pm

   bringing up an old age home is an excellent idea….people who don’t have a place to call it a home can at least have the luxury to have one….it will be so great and a big help to the poor and needy ones.

   Reply
2. concerned! says:

   April 23, 2011 at 5:21 pm

   Like the article points out, such development will only exacerbate the situation. It’s possible that people will be encouraged to shove off their responsibility and cripple the system.

   Intervention, no doubt, is needed in some shape or form, but we must caution ourselves NOT to emulate the system in the west; they let money take care of it…it’s almost inhumane. Not in the land of GNH, we can’t allow this here; please, let’s not welcome such development.

   Let’s help one another instead. We are small, and we can manage it. Perhaps, this calls for an inception of another CSO…to identify and support the destitute and helpless in our society. I like the idea of shelters as opposed to “age old homes.” It bodes well to differentiate the two.

   I am sure many of us will get it!

   Reply
3. ajayhadpawat says:

   July 31, 2011 at 1:26 pm

   may i want to start aold age home but how can i start &indian govt ment can help me

   Reply