A video from Sonepat, Haryana, recently went viral showing the funeral pyre of an elderly man burning, while his three daughters were absent. The final rites were performed by the old age home where he had spent his last days, while his daughters reportedly watched the ceremony over a video call and asked caretakers to send them the rest of the footage later.
Switzerland has found a beautiful solution to this, in the form of the Time Bank system. The concept is simple. If you are young and have some time to spare, you can choose to spend it with an elderly person: accompany them to the doctor, take them shopping, help them with everyday tasks, or simply sit with them over a cup of tea and listen to their stories. The hours you spend helping them are then credited to your ‘Time Bank’ account. These hours can eventually be redeemed when you grow old yourself and need someone to be there for you.
