Old age home in Bengaluru under scanner

Bengaluru: After a few complaints from the residents of the aged home “The Bangalore Friend in Need Society” about human rights violations, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission has conducted an inspection. Yet despite their intervention, there is no change in management or improvement in the living conditions of the elderly.

The Bangalore Friend in Need Society, (FINS) is a body registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960, established 184 years ago. The Society runs both a school and a Home For the Aged (HFA). The stated objectives of the society are one, to manage a HFA for the infirm and the poor, irrespective of caste or creed, who will be supplied with necessities for health and comfort and two, manage the Col. Hill English High School up to the 10th through various benefactors.

Allegedly, the residents of the HFA are disgruntled and disillusioned with the current governing body saying that there are complaints of ill-treatment including beating up of some of the residents by the domestic staff. Food is prepared without a dietician’s recommendation, disregarding the fact that aged residents are prone to health ailments like diabetes, hypertension, and related maladies.

In June 2014, based on the complaints of some residents of the HFA, citing human rights violations, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission visited the FINS campus for inspection. An interim report of the KSHRC mentions violence to lady residents by a couple of domestic staff, unnatural deaths in the campus, creation of false death certificates in the HFA, worms in the food, and an unhygienic kitchen.

It is learnt that although the Society claims to be a charitable institution, it collects non-refundable and interest-free deposits from certain categories of aged residents and in addition recovers monthly maintenance charges. It is difficult to comprehend in what way it is a charitable institution.

There is also no adequate medical care in the campus of the HFA. There is no doctor on the premises and there are no basic diagnostic facilities too. Another resident says, “For drinking water, the aged residents have to walk to a couple of taps with bottles to fill water.” Considering the frail health of many of the residents, these are serious issues. Many residents of the HFA are mortally afraid to talk openly since they are intimidated and even threatened with eviction by the Governing Body members.

The residents bold enough to speak, have clearly indicated their desire that the present management quits and some humane and understanding   management takes over the running of the HFA.