Loneliness in old age and intergenerational unity

 Loneliness in old age and intergenerational unity

As the number of elderly citizens increases in society, intergenerational unity is becoming even more important. In family life, especially; it is necessary to restore the importance of intergenerational harmony.

I was forced to stay away from my birthplace for a long time in the course of my studies and work. I had to wait until Dashain for family reunions. During this time, my son was born. My mother stayed with us for a while to raise him. But when my son started going to school, my mother returned to the village. Perhaps I had some closeness to my mother; I would address my mother as ‘mother’ when I met her occasionally. However, I would address my father as ‘father’s father’. Perhaps if I had been close to my father like my mother, if I had left a loving impression on my child’s mind, my father would not have become ‘father’s father’! This representative example confirms that family relationships are weakening in society and the process of family members becoming increasingly distant is becoming more intense.

Recently, I read that about 40,000 people died alone in Japan by mid-2024. It is said that the bodies of one in every 10 people are found a month later. The police have made it public that the condition of more than 100 people is unknown for a year after death. Statistics show that the problem of loneliness is increasing among people in Japan, where the number of elderly people is increasing. In an effort to deal with this problem, the Japanese government also introduced a bill in April 2024.

In the context of Nepal, the joint family system was traditionally effective, where people of different generations lived under the same roof. Such a family system gave women in particular the role of caring for and supporting elderly citizens. It helped children learn knowledge and discipline from their grandparents. However, in recent times, the joint family system has been divided into smaller families, and family members have started spreading to different places in search of better jobs, education, and livelihood.

The role of women has also changed, as they have moved out of household chores and into income-generating activities, forcing older citizens to live alone and become victims of loneliness. In addition, the tradition of knowledge and discipline that children learn from their grandparents is also gradually disappearing.

Most of Nepal’s elderly people live in rural areas. Culturally and traditionally, these elderly people take care of their grandchildren, herd cattle, and do some handicraft work. Supporting their families in agriculture is their main source of livelihood. Despite working in agriculture throughout their lives, they live in poverty because an agricultural-based life does not allow them to accumulate any savings or material wealth. What they earn, they spend on their children’s education and healthcare. Older women, especially widows, are even more disadvantaged because they depend on their husbands for material support throughout their lives.

Due to the inability to convert household chores into cash or money and due to cultural differences, older widows have to live with limited resources and wait for any support. This situation becomes even worse when these elderly women become widows and have no children, causing them to face lack of basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter and mental health problems such as loneliness and depression.

In the world, due to economic prosperity, technological development and material progress, human relationships are also being destroyed along with the increase in disposable income. International Day of Families is celebrated every year on May 15 with the aim of uniting families that are becoming distant. But a one-day effort seems ineffective. In fact, the family is also the initial form of society. The family keeps each other connected and makes each member feel the joys and sorrows of each other. Physical proximity between members is essential to make the younger generation understand the importance of family and establish strong relationships.

Intergenerational programs, which connect the elderly and the young through common activities, are important in reducing the gap between generations and restoring family unity. Such programs not only help improve relationships between generations

Time is powerful. It moves at its own pace. No power in the world can stop it. Time itself is/is not age, but the truth is that people age with time. They gradually become physically, mentally and psychologically weak. With the flow of time, age increases, youth rises, declines, and people become old.

Old age is also the last stage of human life. In old age, any person's habits, behavior, thoughts, and ideas change. They become physically and mentally weak. Daily activities become difficult, they cannot do them. However, the supporting youth is in a situation where they do not have a livelihood in their home country. Therefore, the trend of going abroad is increasing. They are forced to leave their family and country and go abroad.

The 'push factor' of going abroad for foreign employment to fulfill daily basic needs by taking risks has increased. Due to which, elderly parents are gradually becoming, and are becoming, lonely. Loneliness can be an important cause of mental illness. Mental problems can occur to people of any religion, gender, age, caste, profession, color and social status. The lack of a positive attitude towards people with aging-related problems in Nepal makes it more challenging to treat mental illness. Timely treatment of loneliness In Rema, its complications can be minimized.

Being away from family, we do not understand loneliness as a problem. We do not even accept it as a created mental and psychological problem. We do not know our neighbors. Similarly, we do not know our family members. We do not prefer to stay indoors during holidays due to busy schedules. Without realizing it, we have become victims of the lonely in the dark syndrome. We have made our elderly parents lonely. We do not have time to talk to our elderly parents and grown-up children. Which is weakening the love of our children for their elderly parents.

The husband goes abroad for employment, the wife enters the city in the name of raising children. And the village is devoid of youth. Therefore, many elderly people are forced to live alone. They are forced to spend time without physical proximity to friends, neighbors or family members. Which is why the elderly are becoming socially isolated. Whether it is due to weakness, not being the center of one's family, leaving the workplace, the death or illness of a spouse or friend, feeling lonely and vulnerable is a serious decline in physical health and social well-being. Loneliness fosters negativity, which is why psychological counseling for the elderly is essential.

The issue of loneliness in old age in Nepal is a very poorly studied and underfunded issue. According to the World Health Organization, 25 percent of people in Nepal have some kind of mental problem. A significant portion of which is occupied by problems related to loneliness in old age.

Poverty, hereditary factors, social environment, disorders, stressful lifestyle, wounds or injuries cause additional complications in old age. Which increases the risk of health problems and high mortality. Therefore, this is also a time of crisis. Emotional and practical support can help face health challenges and overcome problems. Old age is fraught with various diseases. It becomes physically and mentally weak. There is a decrease in regular physical activity. Regular medical care is necessary, physical, mental, financial, support and most of all psychological support is needed.

The state should strategically manage the mature brains cultivated from various fields and use them in nation building. And to prevent the life of an individual after retirement from being meaningless and burdensome, timely thoughts should be given. Yesterday is gone, no one has seen tomorrow, so today should be lived with joy.

In this situation, there are many expectations from one's children. Family support, care and loving behavior are a strong foundation to face problems and challenges. Physical, mental, financial support and support are needed in old age. However, children who are busy in their professions are not close.

Our Eastern culture does not seem to accept old age homes. Old age homes do not give anyone happiness. Nevertheless, there is also a compulsory situation where people have to go to old age homes after reaching old age. In the current Nepali society where the youth migrate abroad in search of employment, money and family, many Nepali homes have become undeclared old age homes due to the lack of proper care.

Alcohol consumption, drug use, and loneliness due to political reasons are further compounding the problem. Life becomes more difficult when deprived of proper care and attention. Old age becomes a miserable state. In loneliness, seeking the truth in wrong things, being confused or confused, getting angry a lot, not being able to complete daily tasks, and having trouble sleeping are common issues.

Loneliness in old age is not limited to people of any region or community. In urban congestion, the life of the elderly feels like suffocation in a cage. Excessive use of social media and less human interaction leads to social isolation and has adverse health effects on physical and mental health, increasing the mortality rate due to depression. Yesterday's youth/today's elderly, who were supported by everyone as long as they had wealth and strength, are forced to live a miserable and miserable life in their frail old age.

Although consultation with health workers, attendance at community activities, proximity to friends and family, joining clubs or social groups, meeting new people, communication through social media, self-help and volunteering can provide short-term technical and social interventions to reduce loneliness, for a long-term solution, it seems that school and university curricula should include topics related to responsibility and liability towards parents and daily life management of the elderly themselves, and provide a practical understanding of old age management.

Problems such as insomnia, irritability, thoughts of dying, attempts to die, sweating profusely, feeling very scared, liking to be alone, being lonely, feeling very wrong, getting very angry, and not being able to complete daily tasks must be addressed by every elderly person.

It is human nature to talk openly about oneself with others, sleep well, eat healthily, exercise daily, be busy with work, avoid unnecessary stress, and associate only with good friends. If a suitable environment can be created for this, alcohol and drug abuse due to loneliness, neglect of health, and other mental problems can be addressed and rehabilitated. Sometimes family members stay away due to differences.It may be. But when a problem arises, when you adopt the path of collective solution, the mind calms down through mutual communication. Everyone's confidence increases when family members are with you. You feel safe and are less stressed than you are at home.

To live a peaceful, prosperous and happy life in old age, you should have a positive mindset so that physical and mental problems do not come close to you. It is good to take this period as an opportunity to serve the society and the country in a different role and manner to fulfill the unfinished tasks, desires and aspirations that were not completed in the first half of life. It is also appropriate to turn to spirituality for mental peace.

There is a need to provide the new generation with the opportunity to learn, gain knowledge and discipline from the older generation. This not only strengthens family relationships, but also helps in the long-term strengthening of the social structure.

Even if you leave your regular job, you should present yourself in a new role. You should live an active life, keep good company (satsang). Do charity as much as possible. Do not harm anyone. What is yours in this world? What did you bring with you and what will you take with you? What you have today was someone else's yesterday and will be someone else's tomorrow.

With a few exceptions, any elderly person has retired from a certain job or service. He has made a significant contribution to the nation by utilizing his energy, knowledge, skills, abilities and efficiency in the field of earning. Although his physical and mental abilities gradually decline as he ages, he is refined by experience and intellectual knowledge.

Therefore, the state should strategically manage the mature brains refined from various fields and use them in nation building. And to prevent a person's life after retirement from being meaningless and burdensome, timely thoughts should be given to prevent it from becoming meaningless and burdensome. Yesterday's time is gone, no one has seen tomorrow, so today's time should be lived with joy.

As long as there is strength and ability, everyone has a common resolve to take positive initiatives for family welfare. They are involved in earning income. Everyone has and will have the same goal of family welfare. Therefore, let us commit to following the positive actions and guidance of senior leaders who unite to achieve common family goals in our energetic times and provide 100% support, assistance and cooperation for the rest of our lives. Old age is not only an individual but also a biological institution. Let us continue to strive to make the institution successful, strong and strong.

Finally, it is challenging to have a positive perspective when analyzing the existing family structure and intergenerational relations in Nepal. The compulsion to go abroad for livelihood, lack of resources, political instability and geographical obstacles have made it difficult for families to strategically manage and earn money. Despite all these problems, family life is an integral part of our culture, and special initiatives are needed to strengthen it.

Intergenerational unity is becoming even more important as the number of elderly citizens in society increases. It is necessary to restore the importance of intergenerational harmony in family life in particular. For this, it seems that a serious review at the policy level is needed and policies capable of creating minimum employment opportunities and strengthening intergenerational unity should be developed.

Intergenerational programs, which connect the elderly and the young through shared activities, are important in bridging the gap between generations and restoring family unity. Such programs not only help improve relationships between generations, but also help senior citizens lead dignified lives and reconnect the young with education based on traditions, values, and discipline.

There is a need to provide opportunities for the new generation to learn, gain knowledge, and discipline from the older generation. This not only strengthens family relationships, but also contributes to the long-term strengthening of social structures. Effective policies and programs need to be developed to ensure prosperous and fulfilling old age, strengthen intergenerational harmony, and restore the importance of intergenerational unity.