By Dr. Bikkar Singh Lalli
Evidently there is number of Indo-Canadian seniors who experience adjustment problem in Canada, their adopted country. Since the values, customs, traditions and priorities that are relevant and important to Indo-Canadian seniors are not necessarily important to their children. Some of them feel isolated, abandoned, emotionally starved, marginalized, and relegated to second class citizens even in their own families who encouraged them to immigrate. These cultural inhibition, communication problems, and linguistic differences between generations are causing anxiety to the seniors. Isolation, baby-sitting chores, anxiety, loss of traditional authority of a senior, all of these factors are also affecting the health of the seniors. A study has shown that Indo-Canadian seniors have the highest rate of heart disease, as well there is a high incidence of diabetes among this group. Since the older persons are at risk of losing self-sufficiency, ways must be found to enhance their dignity, enhance their socialization, support their independence and encourage them to get involved in some creative and worthwhile activities. Seniors, who once enjoyed respect “back-home”, are now feeling mercilessly dependent on others, for transportation, food and clothing. In such cases, isolation and depressive disorders become uninvited residents in their body.
Some elders, mostly females, from the community, who are greatly concerned, regarding the “ills” that exists in the community, asked the management of the Khalsa Diwan Society (Surrey), if some activities can be created to lure the seniors, particularly the women, out of their self or forced confinement in their homes. When the realities of Western life sets in,, depression , loneliness and a sense of longing for their life in the old country, is heard as a common complaint. There are a number of elderly, who are at the receiving end of financial and/or physical abuse even from their own family members.
The management of the society, got convinced that one way of tackling the problems like abuse, against seniors, especially elder ladies is by engaging the seniors in some creative and innovative activities. Thus, empowering them with some constructive skills, for example, food skills, and hobbies with which they can use their leisure time in a better way. and even contribute in a productive way in some house hold chores. The skills can empower them with self-esteem. Activities of this nature, offering them support in doing what they do not know how to do themselves, can enlarge their personal boundaries and enlarge their sense of community, build in them a deeper, unarticulated hopes. They can become more expressive, self-reliant and self confident.
With a grant from Service Canada’s New Horizon for Seniors Program, the society has started a project entitled: Reducing Isolation of Indo-Canadian Seniors Through Involvement in Creative Activities. The objective was to Create and facilitate the development of network, relationship and connectedness among seniors, ensure that that there are opportunities for activity and social interaction, design innovative programs with opportunities for seniors to develop new relationships and skills, and bring “caring” to those who are socially paralyzed. One way is to provide them travel facility, and encourage them to partake in activities organized for elder people, share their feelings with other like-minded individuals. And thus, reducing the social isolation, since “Social isolation may shorten the lives of seniors(CBS News March, 2013).
The problem of elder abuse is not present in Indo-Canadian community alone. Statistics show that 4 % of Canadian seniors suffer from one or more serious forms of abuse by a spouse, relative or other close contact; 1 out of 12 seniors in BC have been financially abused in amounts that average over $20,000. Financial abuses are growing faster than physical abuses Almost half of all violence against seniors occurs in spousal relationships. Some may not even realize what constitutes abuse or neglect. The problem is that many victims of elder abuse don’t report it. Some may be ashamed that they were bilked by scammers, while others don’t want to get their children in trouble. Some may not be reporting because of the fear of institutionalization .Some may not even realize what constitutes abuse or neglect.
Under the umbrella of this project , the society is arranging field trips for making seniors knowledgeable about Canada, and about this beautiful province of British Columbia. On every Tuesday, workshops on Healthy Diet and sewing lessons, are held.. Studies have established that by participation people learn more than just listening to lectures and watching videos. “You tell me I forget Teach me, I remember, Involve me, I understand”(Chinese Proverb). On every Wednesday, music lesions vocal as well as instrumental, are given to those interested in music. A computer lab will be set up shortly to connect the seniors with cyberspace. ,. Well qualified volunteers are available to teach knitting and crochet to ladies. Seminars will be arranged to enhance social skills, communication skills, create awareness among seniors re Diabetes, Heart Disease, Arthritis and other debilitating ailments that mostly reside in seniors over 75, and how to cope with them;
Some members of the society have, themselves, experienced isolation, abandonment and social exclusion at the hands of some unkind relatives and friends. So it is imperative that the society undertakes the task of facilitating socialization and inclusion, to eliminate or reduce the stress,, and financial and emotional abuse of seniors. The planned initiatives, will enhance the quality of life, healthy aging, happy and satisfied living; so that the seniors become positively contributing citizens of Canada.
As Dalai Lama said: “If you want to die well, learn to live well”. In order to live well, we need a proper appreciation of the way such goods as friendship, pleasure, virtue, honour and wealth fit together as a whole. In this proposed project the society intends to create an inclusive environment by helping those seniors, who cannot, by themselves, participate in the social/cultural/religious activities of the this or any other organizations.
Let us hope that the objectives under in this project, meet the indended success. As a member of the community, I have helped the society in securing the grant and in planning some of the activities.”
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Bikkar Singh Lalli-Member of the UBC Senate.
