Ensuring the safety and security of our senior citizens

Five years ago my mother faced a tragic event that partially burnt her house and somewhat injured her. Four days later, she died in hospital of a cardiac arrest. It devastated us. Everything we did to keep her safe came to nothing.

My mother, a retired teacher, had an independent spirit. In her five children’s absence she carried on her day-to-day life with the greatest spirit. For her company and protection, we hired the services of carers from a known company which provided male carers to both my late father and father-in-law. At that time, I was in Sri Lanka for a longer stay and my younger brother too was in the country, and together we monitored the process.

But our situation changed, and I came back to Australia. Having her five children in Australia (although she was able to visit us and our wish was to take her here permanently), she was all by herself, so we hired the carers. The company always sent someone when the need occurred. However, many of them did not meet the requirement.

A few actually cared, but they had constant issues with their families which made them visit homes frequently. The rest were returnees from West Asian countries and some according to the Sinhala expression were, “Loke Kala Wathura Beela.”

My observation was that most carers were not trained to manage the duties of the old people in their care, and on how to be vigilant or how to act in an emergency.

We have many unanswered questions, but I have heard of worse stories of how our senior citizens, who have sacrificed their lives for their families and the country, are taken advantage of.

Many aged and vulnerable citizens undergo hardships. Some are abandoned, some are placed in homes, and some suffer abuse in their own houses. No doubt there are reputable places. But it is high time that all the places and the people who are entrusted with caring for our senior citizens come under scrutiny.

The government must look into this matter and start aged care services as an accredited occupation, so that people with knowledge, character and proper training could be employed. Without going to West Asia, many could be locally occupied with dignity.

Having a National Council/ Secretariat for Elders or having savings schemes, insurance policies, mobile packages for retirees is not enough. They need tender, loving care in their last years.