By Triveni Mehtab A caregiver is needed to perform the most thankless jobs. There is too much misery and heartbreak. At times, you have to steel yourself to get ready and go to the house of the elderly person whose family has hired you. The family thinks that its job is over once the caregiver…
By Shajan C Kumar Sibling rivalry is a persistent challenge for many elderly parents, often stemming from mishandled situations in their children’s early lives. This phenomenon can continue into adulthood, affecting sibling relationships and causing distress for aging parents. The complexities of sibling dynamics are influenced by various factors, including parenting styles, expectations, and individual…
By Anitha Kumar In the tranquil landscapes of Kerala, a state known for its high literacy rate, the elderly find solace and joy in a simple yet profound daily ritual – reading newspapers. The printed paper is more than a source of news. For many, like the remarkable Ammini Amma from Thrissur district, it is…
By Sunil Saxena The idea of leading a retired life rankled initially. I hated being reduced to the ranks of “their time is over” workforce. One day I was a productive member of the society. My colleagues and my team looked up to me to take decisions. Next day, I was living on pension. It…
By Abid Adil My mother had never liked hospitals, or doctors. In fact, she felt that they were there to simply scam the patients. She would avoid going to hospitals and even strongly discouraged us from a visit to the doctors. To most ailments, she would simply say that it would become alright over a…
By Bhavesh Rajan After retirement, there is only one way to keep the effects of ageing at bay. It is refusal to allow yourself to become redundant. This means that you must keep yourself busy, even after you retire. The engagement should not be superficial or skin deep. It should jog your mind and keep…
By Adharv Chaitanya My mother died about five years back. It was quite sudden. She didn’t wake up from her sleep. Just like that she was gone. My father, now nearing 80, tried to cope with her demise. Things were more or less fine, till my father felt uneasy while having lunch one day. My…
By Sahana Dutt What are the common deathbed regrets that people have as they await their inevitable death? This is a question that often comes to my mind. What is it that I will regret most when I reach that stage? All of us live different lives; some feel fulfilled at a life well lived….
By Anna Rose “Please take her home,” said the attending doctor as he again read the latest medical reports of my mother who was suffering from a debilitating lung disease that made it difficult for her to breathe without oxygen support. The doctor was gentle. He explained that nothing much can be done for my…