News
At least 15,000 hapless elders knocking on the doors
It's tea time at Shelter4Homeless. Pix by Amila Gamage
The aging population is on the increase and many elderly people are being sent to or are seeking homes for elders. The Census and Statistics Department in its latest report says it is projected that by 2040, one in every four people will be more than sixty years old.
The Social Services Department’s National Secretariat for the Elders (NSE) says more elderly people are looking for homes and at present more than 15,000 are on the NSE’s waiting list. They are mostly women, because on an average, women have a longer life span than men.
In Sri Lanka, factors such as the decline in the birth rate and increasing life expectancy are adding to the problem. Sadly, the Government’s contribution to the care of elders is much less than what it should be — one aspect being the shortage of homes to care for elders.
The Government has only six state run homes that can house around thousand elders. The homes are in Kataragama, Gampaha, Kaithady, Saliyapura, Meerigama and Galgamuwa.
In addition, about 300 fee-levying homes are registered with the NSE but they cater mainly to the rich or middle class people. NSE statistics show there are around 8,355 inmates in these homes but there are many more waiting to come in. Mercifully, charity homes run by non-governmental organisations and civil society groups are moving in and catering to some of the elderly people who need immediate care.
Vela: The home's first inmate
Shelter4Homeless founder Sanath Munasinghe
The Shelter4Homeless in the suburbs of Piliyandala is one such charity home caring for the elderly and the needy and is committed to eliminating homelessness among the elderly in Sri Lanka. The shortage of a state-sponsored old age support scheme has contributed to the growing number of poor old people being forced to beg on the streets.
Shelter4Homeless is a non-profit organisation and it provides a safe place to live with three hot meals, clean water, beds to sleep in and other basic facilities. The home, officially opened in April last year, has 35 beds. It already has 25 inmates 12 males and 13 females. Only the genuinely helpless and homeless are admitted.
Founder Sanath Munasinghe said that establishing a home for the destitute was his long felt vision. He has transformed a ramshackle building donated by the Catholic Church into a comfortable home with basic facilities for homeless elders. The home works in coordination with the Social Services Department.
Its first inmate Vela (82) from Deraniyagala was ready to move in, even before the Home was ready for occupancy. She was found at the Viharamahadevi Park, emaciated and destitute begging for her meals.
Marceline (70 ) was found in a cemetery in Chilaw, unable to walk.
Subramaniam (71) from Kandy had been left behind by his family at the Kalubowila hospital. He had been living on the streets for two years.
Piyadasa (80) from Thalangama was never married and has nobody to care for him, while Cooray (85) is a cancer patient.
Ajith Guruge (55), a frail looking man was abandoned by his wife and children who are known to be doing well in life. In his good times, he was a businessman in South Africa and had been living in that country for several years.
None of the residents complained about their families
Rosemary (65) from Kiribathgoda had lost her husband and one of her sons. The only surviving son is into drugs.
Ramani (62) from Wellampitya was almost on the verge of committing suicide along with her husband before being brought to the home. She had been a cook and her husband a security guard for a hotel before it closed down. With no income and no place to stay, they had wanted to end their lives.
Indra Rajan (72) who has three sons and two daughters also lives in this home. She was an English teacher and her children had abandoned her. She looked not only able and cheerful but also philosophical about her plight. “This is God’s will,” she said.
Strangely none of them had complaints or a whimper against their spouses or children who had abandoned them. They were either resigned to life’s adversities or were thankful for the comfortable lives in their twilight days.
