The Sad Plight of the Solitary Age

Thousands of people around the world face challenge to their economical, social, psychological well being and this rule especially applies for the elder members of our community. While elderly people are an especially vulnerable group in refugee camps, but there is little support for them. The challenges faced by the older persons are magnified in comparison to a typical community context, where social support structures usually provide a safety net for elders. The refugee camp lacks the unified community bondage and resources that would allow the existence of such network.
Here in the camp, elderly persons are usually left to face the problems of solitary old age alone. Individual refugees are often so anxious with their own struggles of life that they are left with a very little energy to devote to others. This unsure safety net heightens the defenselessness of elderly persons in the camp. According to the World Health Organization, an elderly person is the one who is over the age of 60 years. However, the age limit differs from country to country depending on culture, customs, and religion.
Due to the existing vulnerabilities of older persons in a refugee camp, UNHCR and other enforcing agencies have shouldered the responsibility to address the specific needs of older people. But in reality, there are scanty examples of organized assistance to older persons. Thus refugee camps are less authentic than old age homes which are within the reach of few.

Traditionally, older people had been the real owners and leaders of the community, and elders used to play a major role. Older persons are considered to be the bearers of responsibility towards younger generations. Youth seek counsel and are guided in the traditions and customs of their society by elders. Elders have intense knowledge and understanding which can be passed from generation to generation.
For this reason, elders can effectively contribute to conflict resolution, peace endorsement, and counseling among members of their community. Although they have these strengths, there are also unique vulnerabilities. As they grow older, they also become weaker mentally as well as physically. If awareness and support from families and society members erodes, their poise and social interactions may decrease. Thus older persons tend to become isolated and depressed.
Reduced attention from friends is more pain than any kind of sickness and the commonly, there solitary old people seeks hibernation in some lonely chair of the park or in some corner of their children’s household. They cannot consider it as their own. Senior care is the duty of all but executed by few; they are lucky because, at least they can return some amount of the infinite debt they owe to the elders, who brought them up to what they are today!