General Descriptions (Statement)
Old age is a sensitive phase; elderly people need care and comfort to lead a healthy life without worries and anxiety. In early societies, older people are treated as resources and are respected by all. But this situation is changing enormously due to the breakdown of traditional family pattern, changes in traditional norms and values, innovation of modern medical facilities and increasing rate of older people.
For these changes, the elderly face difficulty to meet their physiological, psychological and social needs. A lot of elderly people are subject to abuse from family members over property dispute, discriminated both by prejudice and means of exploitation. Some of them are even forced to sell their belongings and live in penury till death. Many of them are too scared to express themselves or fear being humiliated by their loved ones.
In 2011, the United Nations proposed a human rights convention that would specifically protect older persons, known also as a senior citizen. According to United Nations the person who is above 60 in age is a senior citizen.
According to the national census of 2011, Bangladesh has a population of about 150 million people, and 7.4% of its population is elder. This percentage of elderly population is projected to increase to 8.0% in 2020, 11.9% in 2035 and it will be an ageing nation when it reaches 17.0% in 2050.
Elderly peoples are mostly vulnerable in terms of living arrangement, food, wealth, participation in decision making of the family and social attitude and values.
In Bangladesh, a large number of children are deprived of their basic human rights because of unacceptable health, nutrition, education as well as social conditions. Children are exposed to severe forms of sexual, physical and mental abuses at home, in the work place, in institutions and other public places. The nature and extent of violence against children irrespective of age, sex and class has been increasing day by day.
Our Old Home has decided to ensure a dignified life for disabled or abandoned children and elderly with all sorts of better amenities by ensuring proper food, enough clothes, secured shelter, and providing them medical check-up and proper treatment.
