My father passed away at the age of 83. The last 3 years of his otherwise healthy life was full of medications and doctor visits. He had a cardiac procedure followed by a plural tapping done after 2 years of the angioplasty. Then, in the beginning of last year of his life, he had a brain stroke. Though with medications constant rehabilitation programs, he recovered almost 80%, but then, he was dependant on a nurse 24*7 (The reason for his constant frustration and pain). For good 82 years he lived a self-dependant life.
When he passed away peacefully in his sleep one night, though I felt very sad, I also felt very satisfied. As a good son, I have done every bit of a duty towards my father. But later, during those silent moments, I did wonder, will he be pleased up there? A year of pain added to his life. The year that he passed being dependant and popping more medicines then the food he liked. A year full of medications and a year full of frustratingly living. Did I add health to his life or I simply extended his painful old age?
The agony of Old Age –
No one wants to die. Everyone wants to live. The question is what kind of life is this? Can they eat what they want to? Can they travel on their own? Can we leave them alone for a day? In many cases, they can’t even shower on their own. Yes, our healthcare has advanced. We can now make people live longer but not necessarily pain free.
In last 20 years, the average life expectancy in India has moved on from 63 years to 70 Years*. It is a truth that this has not moved up because of the country becoming healthier, it has moved north because India as a healthcare destination was able to add healthcare miracles which made people live more. Cancer Treatment in India has become exemplary in the world. The Hospitals in India can do as many Open Heart Surgeries in a day, as done by all countries in Europe put together. Yes, we are adding years to life but are we adding life to those years?
The Socio Economic fall back –
People in this age do not get covered by any insurer. This healthcare at this age, comes as an out of pocket expense. Yes, I could have afforded my father’s long treatment, But How many families can afford this expense? The lower middle class borrows to get a treatment at a private Indian hospital. As a result, this lower middle class gets financially challenged. I know of this lady, a friend to my wife, whose mother had a Brain Tumour. The Mumma had to live with that tumour for almost 5 years. The family witnessed the tumour grow, felt the agony Mumma felt, and continued to treat her as best as they could. She went through a Craniotomy surgery for brain tumour, then had Radiation Therapy and then she had to have Chemotherapy. Although, the doctors were able keep her pain free, adding quality to her life and made her stay on the earth as comfortable as they could have. But the lady friend had to avoid getting married as her income contributed significantly to the treatment. The father sold the only house and the brother gave up his dreams of better studies.
On the other side, the poor classes flock to a government hospital. Though, it is free but there is a humungous shortage of free beds in India. We are a population of 1.4 bn, well, almost. The government hospitals are so full of patients that at times patients sleep on floors hoping to get a bed next day. Now, that may not look all that bad; free healthcare !! but then let us not forget that someone pays for this – The Tax payer ! The same tax payer who does not get to treat in those facilities !
The Human Clock –
The generation is getting busier; longer work schedules, the longer travel time, multiple channels of communication which have become almost compulsory to attend and mandated compliance needs leaves a little time for self. Then, one needs to divide the same available time between the Children, the Parents and the Spouse. The small divisions do not leave any one satisfied, not even self. The Work Pressures, Children Growing and Parents aging, all happening at the same time.
This stress is creating another class of unhealthy people. Body ache, Gastritis, Back Pain and stress have become so common. And so has the availability of over the counter medications. Without blinking an eye lid, we pop pills simply because they are available. But do we think about the long term side effects?
The Resources Draw –
World over, there were death at certain age. It was expected. World over there were births. It too was expected. There was a balance which slowed down the count on living population. But now, as the deaths slow down, and the births continue to be, there is an increases in population count. The count has gone up, mostly in dependant population; children and older people which needs care but is not in a position to provide care. Thus the draw on resources is bound to happen.
Yes, there are technological advances. We have been able to win over Cancers, Organ Failures and Cardiac issues. Yes, this has been able to make people emotionally stronger with a feeling of been able to serve. Yes, we are able to save children suffering from Congenital Heart defects such as Tetralogy of Fallot and hole in the heart. Yes, we are able to save productive population suffering with Organ Failures or those with Brain Tumours with advancement of technology such as Cyber knife. The fact also remains that we have added years to the old age and with that we have generated issues which probably we may not have solutions to. These are issues which will remain buried deep in our hearts.
Abhik Moitra
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