Some time ago there was a news item about an 85-year-old Parsi woman found dead alone in her home, with no family to claim her body. That this can happen in Bombay where the community has the largest numbers is worrying indeed.
The number of elderly persons living alone is disproportionately high. Even for relatively young, able-bodied and reasonably healthy persons living alone could be difficult given the challenges of normal day-to-day life. For someone of advanced age and in failing health, even a slight disability or minor health issues could assume alarming proportions.
Don’t wait to become old before making a will; do so while you are still young, sound in mind and body. Even those who do not wish to make a will should leave behind proper detailed written instructions regarding disposal of the body and what rites should be performed; who should take charge of assets, with proper name and last-known address and contacts, and how the assets are to be distributed.
Housing societies often make it mandatory for persons living alone — whether young or old — to submit to the managing committee the name and contact of those (preferably within city of residence) to be contacted in case of death, sudden accident, disability or serious illness. It would be advisable for our baugs and colonies to do likewise. Most of them have welfare associations which could collect this information. In stand-alone flats in buildings which do not form part of a baug, colony or housing society, residents living alone must leave the necessary information with a neighbor, close friend or relative living nearby. ARMIN WANDREWALA
arminvey@gmail.com