To keep oneself healthy and to ward off diseases one needs to get up early in the morning, go for a walk, do a little bit of exercise, observe the rules of hygiene and inhale as much fresh air as possible before sun-rise. Foods which promote longevity should be taken. Milk fresh fruits and vegetables provide vigor and should be consumed at right time in the measured quantity.

“When grace is joined with wrinkles it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in the happy old age” said Victor Hugo. Ageing is a natural phenomenon. As one advances towards old age, arteries harden, nervous system becomes weak and many other degenerative problems arise. Ageing debilitates all systems of the human body-nervous, respiratory, muscular, cardiovascular, endocrine etc. max Jacobson, American physician, wrote that “respect for advancing age must be restored to our thinking, since respect will bring the aged back into family unit”.
Although the passage of the maintenance and welfare of parents and the other senior Citizens bill, provides legal safety to 8.1 Crore elderly citizens yet positive emotional attitude, love and affection for the young ones on their part can render them a meaningful life. By providing knowledge, happiness and moral support to others the aged can overcome negative and depressive thoughts. Thomas bailey Aldrich remarked, “To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful-that is to triumph over the old age”.
Legal obligation, imprisonment or fine cannot make love and respect obligatory. The aged need to show grace, make necessary adjustments and develop a positive attitude. Cultivating friendship is a great quality as it adds to enthusiasm and takes away loneliness.

As one grows old one needs to realize that there is more to life than mere physical existence, that the heaven lies within not in material things, that true relationship is with the source of existence not merely with the people around

No one can stop the effect of advancing years on the physical body but if one is determined to raise the quality of life, one needs to forget the bitter experiences of the past and remain optimistic. “Nobody loves life like an old man” said Sophocles. “Aged can be more graceful by having a mature smile on the face, their confident suggestions can become blessing if they feel comfortable in the company of younger ones and change with the change in time”.
To the question, when is old age? W.E. Sangster replied, “When we have ceased to wonder”, those who live in wondrous mood. Become old with grace. Since they remain eager and inquisitive, even the thought of death cannot frighten them as they know that it is inevitability.
The principle of “Sound Mind in a Sound Body” becomes more relevant as one advances towards the old age. To keep oneself healthy and to ward off diseases one needs to get up early in the morning, go for a walk, do a little bit of exercise, observe the rules of hygiene and inhale as much fresh air as possible before sun-rise. Foods which promote longevity should be taken. Milk fresh fruits and vegetables provide vigor and should be consumed at right time in the measured quantity. Dinner should be light and taken within an hour after the sunset. Half an hour’s rest after lunch during the day is also beneficial for health. One should to bed early without worry or anxiety for having sound sleep.
Ella wheeler Wilcox advised that the elderly should wake up with a blessing for every living thing on his lips and say to oneself: “Health, wealth, happiness, luck and usefulness are mine. I claim them. “One should read inspiring books and think loving and large thoughts. Besides, one should make maximum efforts to help others. Time should mature the ageing persons’ inner qualities so that one can cheer up others. To grow old cheerfully and gracefully one should resort to prayer and meditation. Prayer is the outpouring of the heart and brings one closer to the supreme power. Meditation is becoming one with the source of existence. A prayerful mind emits graceful vibrations and bestows bliss. Meditation gives one inner peace.
Anatole, the French philosopher, once said that man lives between two dense clouds-the forgetting of what was and the uncertainty of what will be. Maturity entails balance and harmony in all the phases of life. One should neither ruminate over the agony of the past nor be afraid of the future to come. He who lives in the consciousness of God becomes free from the moods of fear and despondency. All human relationships are grounded in friendship. As one grows old one needs the company of like-minded persons who can share one’s feelings, understand one’s sentiments and render advice in personal matters. Yet one needs to be aware of fair-weather friends who leave in the lurch. As one grows old one needs to realize that there is more to life than mere physical existence, that the heaven lies within not in material things, that true relationship is with the source of existence not merely with the people around, that the purpose of life is the realization of God and that the human body is only an instrument to implement nature’s tasks.

One should neither ruminate over the agony of the past nor be afraid of the future to come. He who lives in the consciousness of God becomes free from the moods of fear and despondency. All human relationships are grounded in friendship. As one grows old one needs the company of like-minded persons who can share one’s feelings, understand one’s sentiments and render advice in personal matters.

Approaching the tribunal to claim need-based maintenance from children is not the only solution. The government should established old-age homes with all facilities and initiate a comprehensive plan for the welfare of senior citizens so that they may get social security to live with grace and dignity. Family units need to be strengthened so that the elderly people can lead a tension-free life.