Reclaiming Rights and Dignity

Sena Bai, a 74-year-old resident of Village Badpipli in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, had been living under distressing circumstances. Despite being in her own home, her life was filled with hardship, primarily due to the neglect and verbal abuse meted out by her own son. During a routine visit by one of HelpAge India’s staff members, it was discovered that Sena Bai was not being provided with adequate food, and her basic needs were being neglected by her son.

Additionally, she was suffering from a visual impairment that further exacerbated her vulnerability.

During the home visit, Sena Bai shared her plight, revealing the troubling behaviour of her son. The situation took a darker turn when it was revealed that her son had illegally transferred her property in his name, further isolating her from her rights and security. Despite being informed about her legal options under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, Sena Bai was reluctant to take legal action against her son, fearing the potential consequences and preferring to resolve the matter within the family.

Our staff member promptly raised a complaint with the HelpAge India helpline, triggering a swift response from the team. A helpline counsellor visited the village to understand the situation in detail, engaging with other elderly members of the community to gain insights. The counsellor then conducted a session with Sena Bai’s son, addressing the neglect and urging him to fulfil his responsibilities towards his mother. After the session, the son agreed to take better care of his mother, committing to ensuring her well-being.

To address her visual impairment, Sena Bai was referred to the District Hospital for a cataract surgery. The surgery was successful, significantly improving her quality of life. The helpline counsellor provided Sena Bai with contact details for her to reach out at any time and arranged for continued follow-up visits by the HelpAge Mobile Healthcare and field staff, ensuring holistic care and support.