Here is an interesting piece of caregiving information I recently learned of. India passed The Maintenance And Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in 2007. The act is interesting, because it legally requires children and grandchildren (but not minors) to maintain the health and wellness of an aging family member, where “maintenance” is defined as the provision for food, residence and medical attendance and treatment; and “senior citizen” as any person age sixty or older. My understanding is that seniors are not particularly well cared for in India, and this is probably the government’s attempt to place responsibility on family members.
This is interesting, because it’s contrary to the American approach which places more responsibility for elder care in the hands of government, not family. There are some cultures that view caring for aging parents as the obligation of children, and that should an aging parent be poorly cared for, it’s a disgrace and an embarrassment for the entire family. The India approach appears to solidify the latter through legal requirements, though perhaps it’s more based in fiscal limits on the part of the government. India has no social security, for example. I can’t help but wonder if, given America’s rapidly aging population, we will see some legal caregiving requirements on the part of adult children in the future. Surely the government can’t care for everyone.
How does India’s act work?
- A senior citizen who is unable to maintain himself (India’s gender specific language) from his own earning or out of the property owned by him, shall be entitled to make an application for payment of money and for other relief.
- The application may be filed against one or more persons.
- After an inquiry, the local government passes an order directing payment from all children or relatives.
- Children are obligated to attend to their parents’ needs.
- A senior may seek maintenance for food, housing, clothes, medical care and recreation.
- Failing to comply may result in fines and/or prison time for the child or relative.
- Childless senior citizens must be cared for by other relatives of sufficient means.
The government, for its part, has begun constructing more senior housing throughout the country. Should the United States and other countries follow India’s lead and require adult children to provide for aging parents?
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Photo by matthewlees – some rights reserved
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Derrick,
The language that has been used in this article is very opinionated, especially when you said, “India’s more gender specific language”. Traditionally boys (and spouses) take care of their elderly parents. The girls get married and they take care of their in-laws with their spouses. In absence of brothers, female children take care of their parents.
And just for your information- taking care of elder parents is rooted in Hindu philosophy, which was one of the roots of desire of having more boys than girls. In India, the property of parents is automatically inherited by their children, in absence of any will made by parents. If children can have property rights, what is the harm in taking care of elderly parents. I think you are right in terms of “absence of SS enforces the law made by Indian government”. But if parents are self-sufficient and are getting enough pension, they also live independently. I think you need to explore more about traditions rooted in Indian culture and also to get the complete picture. Having more old-age homes is not a sign of progress of any country.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!
Regards,
Meenal
I wrote “India’s gender specific language” as an explanation for the “himself” as I try to be more gender neutral in my writing. That’s not meant to be an opinion on Indian culture. I know little about it, but I really like their more personal, family oriented caring of elders.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well.
I am so glad you printed this article. As my Father has a number of doctors from Indian descent, they comment to me regularly that it is rare to see a son care for his Father as I do and also how common it is in thier culture.
It never ceases to amaze me that here, in the greatest country on earth, neglecting people is the common practice – even when it’s our parents.