A DOCUMENTARY

ON HOW ELDERS
ARE RESPECTEED
VISHWAPRANESH GANESAN
12 B
 HOW ELDERS ARE
RESPECTED AT INDIA
WHY ARE ELDERS IMPORTANT IN INDIA
◦ According to the last census, around 15 million
elderly live all alone and three-fourth of them are
women. Conventionally, in India, the elderly have
always been treated with great respect and occupied
a prominent position in the family.
◦ The elderly in India are generally obeyed, revered,
considered to be fountains of knowledge and
wisdom, and treated with respect and dignity by
family and community members. In most instances,
the elderly care for their grandchildren.
Why Do Indians Touch the Feet of Their
Elders?
◦ Touching the feet of elders is an age-old Indian tradition
that is considered to be a mark of respect. This gesture can
be seen in almost all Hindu families, both in India and
abroad. ... The elder person then, in turn, blesses the
person touching their feet.
◦ According to the Hindu tradition, when you touch the feet
of an elder person, you are in turn blessed with knowledge,
intellect, strength and fame. There’s an underlying
meaning to this entire act, that those who are elder to you
have obviously walked on this earth longer than you, have
lived longer than you and have thus gathered a lot of
wisdom and experience. So, if you touch all the dust on
their feet that they’ve collected walking along their way,
your life and future will be hugely benefitted.
 Do senior citizens get free healthcare in India?
◦ The Varishta Mediclaim Policy is available to
senior citizens aged between 60 and 80 years.
It offers sum insured options of Rs 1 Lakh and
Rs 2 Lakh for treatment of critical illness and
hospitalisation costs. This policy also provides
tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income
Tax Act.
Does India have aged care?
◦ The number of elderly in India is projected to reach 158.7 million in 2025 (United Nations Department of Economic and
Social Affairs, 2008), and is expected, by 2050, to surpass the population of children below 14 years (Raju, 2006). ... A few
important characteristics of the elderly population in India are noteworthy.
 HOW ELDERS ARE
RESPECRED IN CHINA
Why are elders important in Chinese culture?
◦ In Chinese culture elders are viewed as a source of wisdom
and spirituality, and they are respected to the extent that
questioning their authority is considered offensive. In
traditional Chinese houses altars are made for deceased elders
to honor and remember them.
◦ The Chinese Government elderly care policy is governed by a
90/7/3 formula, meaning it aims for 90 per cent of seniors to
remain at home, 7 per cent to stay at intermediate facilities
and 3 per cent at nursing homes
What is the sons role in a Chinese family?
◦ In general, the majority of traditional Chinese
societies culture concept believes that sons
can take responsibility for their family, instead
of girls. In other words, traditionally, the
blood of the family has been inherited by the
male side.
How is healthcare provided in China?
◦ China achieves near-universal coverage
through the provision of publicly funded basic
medical insurance. ... The basic medical
insurance plans cover primary, specialty,
hospital, and mental health care, as well as
prescription drugs and traditional Chinese
medicine.
China’s Aging Population Is a Major Threat to
Its Future
◦ China's population is aging faster than almost
all other countries in modern history. In 2050,
the proportion of Chinese over retirement age
will become 39 percent of the total population.
... Current demographic trends could hinder
economic growth and create challenging
social problems in China.
THANK YOU