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| Sunday, 23 May 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Life at 80 is still exciting
Sri Lanka's 'grey' population is on the rise, and it is time issues concerning elders are prioritised, says octogenarian PATHMA SELLAYAH. An active social worker who was until recently in charge of the Colombo YWCA's children's club, Ms Sellayah has shared with this paper her thoughts at every milestone of her life - when she turned 60, 70 and now in her 80th year of life. As the years went by, and I grew older, I became a veteran in many things. I became more independent, travelling to distant countries all by myself, making discoveries; enjoying the company of foreign friends and seeing many things and important places, especially in Australia, where I learned many useful lessons in ageing gracefully. Australia became my second home ever since my son and family shifted to Melbourne about eleven years ago. I lived with them most of the time, and returned to spend my winter holidays in Sri Lanka. I made quite a lot of friends who keep in touch with me still. One or two of them have even come and spent a few days with me. What struck me most was how the elderly people are looked after in various elderly people's homes. I wish we old people here would have all that enjoyment and privilege too in our own land, Sri Lanka. Although I still feel like doing many things, I find it rather difficult to do so now. Physically I am not fit to run about and get things going, even though I very much wish I could do so. I have sowed down quite a lot, perhaps due to my few ailments and my age! Nevertheless, thank God my mind is still very alert. I read quite a lot and watch TV. I am always in the company of many educated friends in various fields and have gained much knowledge. I also still handle my household bills etc., which gives me added brain work and keeps my mind active and alert. I have found that although Sri Lanka has a fast ageing population there are only limited facilities and opportunities for senior citizens. I am fortunate I am a member of the YWCA, which provides us these opportunities to inter-act socially. I always attend the senior citizens' meeting at the 'Y' Colombo. The senior citizen's club is doing very well. Membership has increased from 52 to 75. Monthly meetings are popular. We have an excellent entertainment secretary, Ramani Jayawardene, who shares her talent for entertainment to keep all the old ladies in good humour and laughter! Our President, Daisy Thevasagayam also has something new and entertaining planned for us at every meeting. We have also done many projects for the needy. In December we invited women elders from St. Andrews, St. Luke's and St. Nicholas Homes for Christmas lunch and fellowship - where they took part in talent contests, games and enjoyed the festive lunch. We also presented them with gifts. I do enjoy myself at all the meetings. I also go to National YWCA, on the first working day for devotions and fellowship breakfast, where I meet several of my friends and have an enjoyable morning. As a member of the SLWC, I attend its meetings as well as the housewives meetings. There too I have an opportunity to meet and discuss common matters of interests with elderly persons. Mothers' Union meetings and going to church too keep me in good spirit! I also attend meetings conducted by 'Ageing gracefully'. The last one I attended was on "Promotion of active". Ageing at the Health Education Bureau Auditorium at Kynsey Road. This seminar was held on January this year and sponsored by WHO. The programme included demonstrations presented by Dr. Deepthi Perera, Director (Youth, Elderly, Disabled and Displaced) and physiotherapists. This type of meetings really help keep me fit and makes me grow 'gradually old'. Besides these educational activities I engage in fun activities. I go for parties, get-togethers, and picnics if and when I am invited. These are my pleasure outings which I do enjoy. Being a housewife and running the home also keeps me occupied. Usually I go to the Sathosa once a week and to Duplication Road to buy my fish and chicken. I also go to the Borella market to purchase fruits, vegetables, groceries and all other requirements for the house. In addition, I also go to the Post Office and bank. Another thing that keeps me occupied is maintaining my son's flat, where I live. I like to arrange the flower vases etc to make the flat look nice and beautiful. I always explain to people that loneliness is a state of mind as opposed to being by yourself. Although I miss my children who live in Australia, especially my only granddaughter who was my close companion from the time she was born, (she has turned sweet sixteen now). For me, life is still full of surprises and promise. Once in a way I do go out for dinner with my friends. We go to cafes, and restaurants - where we relish every bit of the food. When I get tired of shopping - or going to the doctors and waiting for long hours, I make it a point to have something out. Eating out is part of my lifestyle that I've chosen and something that I budget for. I also cook at least three nights a week, as I enjoy cooking. Although I have been blessed in my old age, there are many elderly women (and men) in this country who are not so fortunate. I wish to share some ideas I picked up in Australia with the social services department and other organisations working with elderly persons, in the hope they will emulate at least a few of them, since we are now entering an ageing society. There, the elderly citizens are very well looked after. As an elderly person spending summer holidays in Australia, I was taken for outing, escorted to church and was able to take part in several recreational facilities - thanks to volunteers and paid workers from the social service department as well as the church I attend. I also learnt a number of useful crafts by attending a hobbies club for elders. Elderly persons 'Down Under' are given half priced tickets to go to a theatre or travel by bus. Since we require medication we are given a very good reduction (sometimes 90 per cent off) on our drugs. Disabled elders are taken in wheel chairs to shops and in return for a token payment they are wheeled around the shop to make their purchases. Ramps have been built at all public buildings which are disabled and elder friendly. My heart breaks whenever I see so many old people standing in long queues waiting for buses. These, elders are admitted first into a bus and always given a seat. As ageing is a natural process, I do hope these suggestions will be taken seriously considering the fact that there will be more old people than young by the year 2040 according to projected statistics. |
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