Contrary to popular belief the community is blessed with several institutions devoted to the elderly. For the aged infirm Bombay has the Parsi Ward at the Sir J. J. Hospital, the Gamadia Clinic, a ward at the Masina Hospital, while Navsari has the Abuwala Parsi Infirmary and Surat, the Parsi General Hospital. For the elderly who are mobile there is the F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, the Pallonji Shapoorji Home for Senior Citizens of The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital and to some extent the Cama Convalescent Homes in Bombay. Navsari has three wings of The WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds Senior Citizens Centre, Surat the Nariman Home and Infirmary, and Devlali has the Dr K. N. Bahadurji Sanatorium Senior Citizens Home.
Parsiana has visited nearly all these centers and has been impressed with the facilities offered. But surprisingly, despite the aging Parsi population, many of the institutions either have vacancies or are not utilized to capacity. The Parukh Dharamshalla run by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) can accommodate around 100 occupants but currently has around 80. At the JJ Parsi Ward the female section is full but the male ward recently had a few vacancies. Occupancies, of course, vary. No one can predict when a person may become bedridden or have limited mobility. With the break-up of the joint family system and couples working, there may be no caregiver at home. The family may look after the elders or commit them to an institution.
Still, in a community where over 30% of the population is 60 plus, the underutilization of senior citizens facilities may imply that the elderly remain fit even in their 80s and 90s and/or have sufficient support from family, neighbors, accessible medical assistance, caring doctors. A Calcutta representative mentioned at a Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India meet that they have caregivers who visit the elderly in their residences and even arrange group outings for them. Wikipedia notes that "impaired mobility affects 50% of people over 85 and at least a quarter of those over 75." As in the US, so also for the Parsis this could "constitute the fastest growing segment" in the community.
The question then remains about the quality of life. People living on the upper floors of buildings with no lifts become virtual prisoners if they are unable to descend and ascend the stairs. Sometimes tenants apply to the concerned trust to swap their flats with those on the lower floors but those residing below may not be amenable to a switch. Many if not most of the Parsi colonies were built decades ago when elevators were too expensive to install or no one felt the need for them. According to Wikipedia the first elevator to be installed in India was by Otis in 1892 at the Calcutta Raj Bhavan.
While institutions for the aged cater to the physical and medical needs of residents, their emotional requirements may not be met. Invalids are often confined to their beds or wards. Many, of course, are not in a position to venture further. But for those who can, the options are limited. At the JJ Parsi Ward, social worker and former BPP trustee Arnavaz Mistry says the Hospital rules restrict outings. If the occupants leave the complex, they must re-register with the main Hospital office, a cumbersome and time consuming process. This means trips to the fire temples or functions are not feasible. At the Navsari WZO Centre administrator Sharmin Tamboly, however, mentions occupants sometimes do not want to go out or attend get-togethers.
Activities to occupy the minds of the infirm residents are usually restricted. Apart from access to television or music (Hindi tunes were being belted out from a CD player at the Parsi Ward at JJ), there appears to be little else. Many of the residents just sit and stare. They may break into a smile if a visitor comes or some caregiver/social worker chats with them. At the Navsari Infirmary, Parsiana saw a few sitting on a bench outside their ward, but the conversation was meager.
Improving the day-to-day life of the infirm or those with restricted mobility is a complex and expensive undertaking. One would require the assistance and guidance of social scientists and medical professionals. Wikipedia notes, "The global elderly consume the most health expenditure out of any other age group." According to the 2011 Government of India census figures provided to Parsiana by the Delhi based Parzor Foundation, the over 60-year-old Parsis comprise 36 % of Parsis in Maharashtra (38% female and 35% male) and 29 % in Gujarat (30% female and 28% males).
With the number of Parsis in the employable age group shrinking, community institutions will have to pitch in to assist the aging and the aged. Trustees can begin by ensuring existing facilities are wheelchair friendly.
Mobed Mehraban Firouzgary of Tehran candidly noted in an email last year to Parsiana: "I have seen devotees on wheelchairs being carried over the steps, which means that those stairs and many others, elsewhere, need to be provided with ramps."
From Karachi, Toxy Cowasjee, editor of the WZO’s quarterly publication Hamazor noted, also a year ago, "Seth Dossabhoy Merwanji Wadia Agiary at Pakistan Chowk is virtually flat and it needs no ramp at all. Only recently the toilet facilities have been revamped… The other agiary in Saddar known as Heerjibhoy J. Behrana Parsi Fire Temple has four or five steps with hand rails, but from the rear entrance, where there is another prayer hall, one can enter the main agiary… without requiring any ramp. The Parsi Hospital known as BMH Parsi General Hospital, in Saddar, has a few steps but also a ramp. All the toilets have been revamped. Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal in the Parsi Colony has the tiniest one step therefore requiring no ramp. Toilet facilities were revamped when I was president."
From Hong Kong, Neville Shroff noted how the "Zoroastrian Building is designed keeping in mind the needs of the disabled… Our main entrance on the ground floor has an easy and wide access to assist anyone with a wheelchair or a pram. Once you enter we have sofas at our main entrance for elderly people or anyone in need who can sit in the main lobby. We have complete disabled (friendly) toilet facilities and a wheelchair to facilitate any member if need be."
Dorab Mistry, former president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe stated, "When we set about making plans for the conversion of the old cinema to the new community center, we were required to comply with the UK regulations to ensure equal access to people with disabilities. Hence at considerable expense, we had to install a lift for access to the Setayesh Gah, and toilets for use of disabled people."
From North America former Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America president and architect Rohinton Rivetna observed, "All public places have to be handicap accessible… At least one entrance to the facility shall be wheelchair accessible, and there are ramps if necessary. At least one bathroom has to be accessible with a wheelchair with handicap bars mounted on the walls. The toilet seat is higher than normal and there is generally an elongated wash basin for a person in a wheelchair to access. All of the safety alarms always have both audio and visual alerts..."
There is much that has been done and much that has still to be done. But for an aging community, caring for the elderly must continue to be a top priority.