Business of Growing Old
I was pleasantly surprised by veteran journalist Kusal Perera’s (KP) article titled as above in your esteemed journal’s “Business Times” of Sunday May 12. It is a review of two extremely interesting volumes called “Medicine in the Elderly”, edited by Prof. Colvin Goonaratna and two senior Consultant Physicians, Drs. Achala Balasuriya and Piyusha Atapattu.
Let me first describe briefly these two volumes priced affordably at only Rs. 1500, which together makes a compendium of all that you need to know about old age. The 27 chapters are all written by local consultants, and edited so expertly that they can be read and understood by all educated people. There are chapters on all the common diseases of old age such as heart disease, high blood pressure, mental health problems, skin diseases, eye diseases, ENT diseases, etc. There are also brilliant chapters on demographic and epidemiological challenges, nutrition, sleep problems, falls, sexuality in the elderly, care of the elderly, and a “good death”. Everyone over 60 years should have these two volumes on their family bookshelves for constant references. They are available at Vijitha Yapa and Sarasavi book shops.
Now for KP’s review. He gives some insights that can only come from an experienced journalist, such as the surprising inclusion by the editors of the two Acts of Parliament devoted to the protection of the Rights of Elders, a list of all Elderly Homes in Sri Lanka, a chapter on relevant legal issues and the prevention and resolution of disputes, and a sustainable method of funding for elderly people’s welfare.
I refer especially to KP’s suggestion to utilize the handsome profits from the EPF to enhance the health and lives of poor elders, and his timely inclusion of the resolution No. 6 adopted by the Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees Union, a private sector trade union, at their 2013 May Day rally, which emphasizes the dire need for social security schemes for elders, using the EPF. I propose that the security schemes envisaged should go beyond former contributors to the EPF. It should, as a human right, embrace all older adults in Sri Lanka, for have not unskilled workers, farmers, fishermen, pavement traders, sweep ticket sellers, trishaw drivers and small-time businessmen and women contributed to our GDP in their time?
Kusal Perera should be thanked for a very timely article. The proposed solution will be far far more, meaningful than grasping old ladies hands along with artificial smiles for the benefit of TV cameras and the gullible public.
C. W. Fonseka
Moratuwa.
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