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Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by Viswamitra, Dec 2, 2018.

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  1. Afresh

    Afresh Gold IL'ite

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    @Viswamitra Sir,
    I am copying this fwd some time back i saw on FB

    Talks about the concept of time bank
    The Swiss Model: Time Bank

    While studying in Switzerland, I rented a house near the school. The landlady Kristina was a 67-year-old retiree school teacher. The govt offers its senior citizens a handsome pension, enough not to make them worry about their future. However, it was puzzling for me to see her finding "work" - to take care of an 87-year-old single old man. I asked her if she was working for money. Her answer surprised me: “I did not work for money, but I put my time in the ‘time bank’, and when I need it in old age, I can withdraw it.”

    The first time I heard about the concept of "time bank", I was very curious. The original “Time Bank” was an old-age pension program developed by the Swiss Federal Ministry of Social Security. People "saved" time by taking care of the elderly when they were young, and waited until they were old, ill or needed to be taken care of. Applicants should be healthy, good at communicating and caring. Every day they could save by looking after elderly people who needed help. Their service hours were deposited into the personal accounts of the social security system.

    My landlady went to work twice a week, spending two hours each time, to help the elderly in shopping, finishing the room, taking the them out to sunbathe and chatting with them. As per the agreement, after one year of her service, "Time Bank” will count out her working hours and issue her a “time bank card”. When she needs to be taken care of, she could use her “time bank card” in the "time bank” to withdraw “time and time interest”. The "Time Bank” would assign volunteers to take care of her, be it in the hospital or her home.

    One day, I was in school and the landlady called and said she fell off the stool when she was cleaning the window. I quickly took leave and took her to the hospital. The landlady broke her ankle and needed to stay in bed for a while. While I was preparing to apply for a holiday home to take care of her, the landlady told me that I did not have to worry about her. She had already submitted a withdrawal request to the “Time Bank”. Sure enough, in less than two hours, "Time Bank" sent a nursing worker to look after her. During the following month, the care worker took care of my landlady every day, chatted with her and even cooked for her. Under the meticulous care of the carer, the landlady soon recovered. Upon recovery, she went back to "work".

    Today, in Switzerland, the use of "time banks" to support old age has become common practice. This not only saves the country pension expenses, but also solves other social problems. Most Swiss citizens are supportive of this kind of old-age pension schemes. The survey conducted by the Swiss Pension Organization showed that more than half of the young citizens wanted to participate in the old-age care service. The Swiss government also specializes in legislation to support the "Time Bank" pension.
     
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  2. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    @Afresh

    Very interesting concept! I wish many countries implement this plan to take care of elders. Thanks for sharing this here.

    Viswa
     
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  3. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    This week I realized how emotionally draining it would be to see a 41 year old leave due to Hepatic failure. I lost sleep all night after I returned from the care center. This is what the trainers told us not to do but the emotions took better of me. When such things happen, they told us to take a break or divert our attention to something else. Anyhow, after this Saturday, March 16th, I am gone to India until April and hopefully, that break will help me to energize again and come back with more commitment.

    Viswa
     
  4. satchitananda

    satchitananda IL Hall of Fame

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    Wish you a safe journey and a great time in India! :)
     
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  5. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Thanks, Satchi. If I come to Bangalore, we can meet this time.

    Viswa
     
  6. satchitananda

    satchitananda IL Hall of Fame

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    Will definitely look forward to that!
     
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  7. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    That's what even I was thinking the past two weeks.

    I kind of concluded that I cannot be a good volunteer till I am still fulfilling too many worldly responsibilities. My guess is that till my kids are like 21 or 22, I will not have the emotional bandwidth to volunteer at such a place. It's beginning to look like a post-grihastha activity.
     
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  8. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Afresh, that was interesting to read. I searched it up and looks like it has some advantages and some disadvantages like the system is mostly localised, so if you help in one place, and need help elsewhere... Thanks for sharing. Was nice to know about this novel concept.

    =====
    We have it in India too.. ? : ) Parents spend on child's education and wedding and child pays them back wily-nilly in their very old age : ) Sorry... could have resisted that, but didn't. : )
     
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  9. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    @Rihana,

    Hmm..... A gentle reminder. There is another soul that resides in your house to keep you Grihastha for many more years.
     
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  10. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    LOL. : ) Really LOL. : ) And feels good to do that.

    We get a peek at what it is like to be empty nesters by house and by mind, like not having to think about the kids. This happens under certain simulated conditions which deserve a separate post. That gives me hope that even with ghar-wala at home, I will have more time and other resources needed.

    You have a good trip, Viswa.
     
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