Dhaka, Oct. 10 -- It's not easy to be an older person anywhere, whether in the rich or the less well off part of the world. But it can be very cruel indeed if one is also infirm and poor. In South Asia in general and Bangladesh in particular, the situation can be devastating. It's not just an anthropological crisis of neglect faced by all older mammals who suffer when they age, or a social issue as collective family structures weaken. It's about the reality we prefer to ignore.

It's also a class question too as the better off suffer less and often are able to care for themselves no matter how limited or lonely that life is. However, for the impoverished, old age is a curse specially designed in hell.

Care Home scenario: Notes of a repor...