Lonely deaths of senior citizens turns into worrying trend

The neglected death of a 65-year-old man in Colaba last week has once again put the spotlight on the isolation and loneliness faced by senior citizens in the city. This was the third such incident in the recent past wherein bodies of senior citizens living alone in the city were found in a decomposed state.

Officials at HelpAge India, a voluntary organisation which works for the welfare of senior citizens, estimates that nearly five lakh senior citizens are living in the city alone or with their aging spouses. There is no one to look after them as either their children are working abroad, have been separated or living elsewhere.

Prakash Borgaonkar, director, Help Age India said, "The deaths of senior citizens in such a way shows the apathy of neighbours and housing society members as well. The police have also been instructed to visit their houses once a week but it's not happening."

The Mumbai police had launched a dedicated helpline, 1090, for senior citizens allowing those living alone to call if they need any help, or, sometimes, because they feel lonely.

After launching the helpline, the Late RR Patil, when he was the Home Minister, had started the initiative under which police officials were supposed to regularly meet the elderly living alone. However, the recent deaths show the inaction of police as well.

"Our policemen do visit residences of senior citizen and directions have been given to all the police stations in this regard. After this also we will keep doing this, We appeal all the senior citizens to visit the nearby police stations and register themselves," said Deepak Devraj, Mumbai police spokesperson.