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…
An old man with wispy hair and wrinkled skin Sits by the fire, with a twinkle in his eye Thinking of the love that he’s known within His heart still beats with a passion that doesn’t die *** His wife, his partner, his rock and his friend She’s been by his side through thick and…
By Bimala Gaurangi I have been a caregiver or a companion to the elderly for over a decade now. During this period, I have worked with almost a dozen ageing women in different homes, women with different social backgrounds, lifestyles, health and family problems. Each experience has been different. However, one thing is common. The…
By Viaan Shaurya My Dad was a very cheerful person as long as my Mom was alive. We had built a two-room independent set for them on the first floor while we lived on the ground floor. Things changed, when my Mom passed away. My Dad went into a state of denial. He refused to…
There can be no bigger boon for the elderly than the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) scheme introduced by the Indian government. The scheme, popularly known by its Hindi name, Jeevan Pramaan, is literally a life saver for Central Government or State Government pensioners and their spouses. Before its introduction, all pensioners had to provide life…
By Parth Krishnan Back in our teens, life was beautiful. There were heartbreaks but there was love also. Every day was radiant, beautiful. Most important, our bodies were young. My heart would pound whenever a beautiful girl passed by, even when I did not know her. There were stealthy glances, and hope that next time…