The recent in Indian society by the percolation of western culture and massive invasion of consumerism the joint family system is decaying. To fulfill of demand’s for durable and non durable commodities, at time, from car to carpet and from toothpaste to tooth pick it is found, in certain cases, that the joint family system is breaking up and in consequence we see the predominance of nuclear families. The retired aged and elderly person, in certain families, is not being attended and treated properly by the new generation. The retired and aged father or father -in -law, mother or mother -in law, are ill treated by their own sons and daughter -in-laws where the consumerism has spread a deep root and the young generation is deviating from the right part and commitment to the society. The geriatrics (medical care and look after the aged person) is neglected in their own homes built them. Even the most common ailments in the old age like cold and diarrhea are being overlooked and not a simple medicine is administered.

The other reason of this dilapidated joint family systems in Indian properties is migration of the sons and daughter of the family to U.K Canada and USA and other prospect place and setting down there to join the rat race to earn ponds and dollars leaving behind the old parents to suffer in negligence and despair. This racket of surmounting consumerism is taking the good brain of the soil leaving behind a deep despondency to the elderly person left behind and to the society as a whole.

The day has come when the young generation should be taught to be a noble citizen of the country and take the responsibilities to look after the family and be committed to the society. This may be manifold. This may not be financial contribution to some noble cause but can be sharing with the old and senior citizen around them in physical. Psychological and social problems. They should be the vanguard of the society to the carry out and propagate this mission and stand by the side of the people as well as the senior citizen in distress and suffering as Dr. Norman Bethune stood by the people of Spain in the civil war and later on in the long march by the side of the people of soviet Russia. In his life span of 49 years Dr. Bethune was found always by the side of people who were suffering either in the outset of the war or by the people who were suffering of the cold and hunger with chronic diseases mainly TB in the slums of Canada. This philanthropic thoracic. Surgeon was a painter. Poet teacher and medical writer had contributed blood transfusion medical technology from person to person in the blazing war fields. His scalpel was the sword in hands, the soldiers held in the war fields. In his short span of lifetime he suffered from TB at that time when he was a termination disease and bade goodbye to his wife. EH recovered from the terminal diseases by strong will power to lives as because he knew that he still owes to the society and will have to contribute to the poor and distress. He died in China on November 13th in the year 1939 during the long march of Mao-Tes -Tung while in the war field by septicemia. He was neither had gloves, nor the steel scalpel. He was remembered as a good “Paichuen”, means, a good friend by the chinees People’s Army.

BETHUNE INSTITUTE OF GERIATRICS RESEARCH & REHABILITION CENTRE

1.Increasing number of elderly person due to elevation of life expectancy

2.Break -down of joint family system and predominance of nuclear families

3.Multi-faceted problems of elderly persons, e.g.,

I.Physical problems, including disease and disability.

II.Psychological problems, individual, family and community.

III.Social problems, expected respectful behavior, utilization of their expertise and ability to

IV.work Government support.