Why in the news?
Recently Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that a new national policy on senior citizens is in the draft stages. Also, added that some details of it were discussed at a meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens. Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar chaired it.
Senior Citizens in India
(a) According to Census 2011, India has approximately 103 million elderly citizens, accounting for 8.6 per cent of the population. The government defines people aged 60 and above as “elderly”.
(b) According to the government’s projections, they will account for about 12.16% of the country’s population in 2026. Population projections estimate that 20% of the country will be senior citizens by 2047. This increased life expectancy is due to the availability of good healthcare services and accessibility to lifesaving drugs.
Challenges Faced by Senior Citizens
Social
(a) Indian society is witnessing a rapid shift, due to rampant industrialisation, urbanisation and technological advancements, etc.
(b) Since intergenerational links were a defining characteristic of the traditional family, they are eroding and changing as a result of the conventional beliefs and institutions.
Health
(a) The most common health conditions are blindness, locomotor impairments, and deafness.
(b) Hospitals in remote regions lack geriatric care facilities.
(c) A recent survey found that 30% to 50% of older persons reported depressive symptoms. Most elderly people who live alone are women, often widows.
(d) Poverty, bad health, and loneliness are all directly linked to mental illness and anxiety.
Economic
(a) Retirement and ageing parents’ reliance on their children for fundamental needs.
(b) Sudden rise in out-of-pocket costs for treatment.
(c) The elderly who live alone or with just their spouse suffer adverse effects, most commonly poverty and despair. Consequently, the migration of young people of working age from rural communities.
(d) Inadequate housing options.
(e) According to a national study conducted by the NGO HelpAge India, up to 47% of older people depend on their families for financial support. 34% rely on pensions and cash transfers. Forty per cent of those respondents said they would like to work “as long as possible.”
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Schemes/Initiatives by the Government
(i) The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides fiscal aid to concerned NGOs. They engage in providing senior citizen homes, giving free shelter, food, healthcare, and entertainment.
(ii) Elderline: Toll-free number 14567, namely ‘Elderline’, was launched in 2021. Its purpose was grievance redressal for the elderly and to create awareness.
(c) Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE): It gives patronage to innovative startups to make products and services for the senior citizens. While the Geriatric Caregiver Training Scheme aims to create a professional caregiving workforce.
(d) Health needs are addressed through Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, which offers free health coverage to all citizens aged 70+. Also, the National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE) ensures geriatric services from the primary to tertiary levels.
Way forward
(i) Protecting older people from indigency and all the ills that may accompany it is the first step towards ensuring that they live dignified lives.
(ii) Near-universal social security pensions have been attained in the southern States as well as India’s poorest States like Odisha and Rajasthan.
(iii) Further, redesigning the National Social Assistance Program will make it much simpler for all States to take the same action.
(iv) There is also a requirement for additional services and resources, such as health care, equipment for people with disabilities, help with everyday activities, recreational possibilities, and a healthy social life.
(v) A preferable strategy would be to include all widows and elderly or handicapped people as eligible, subject to clear and unambiguous “exclusion criteria”.
Conclusion
India’s ageing population is rising rapidly, government initiatives have a significant role in ensuring the welfare and dignity of senior citizens. As the nation moves ahead, it is necessary to continue strengthening initiatives to ensure a secure and dignified life for the elderly. India must take up critical policies to address the economic, health, and social needs of the senior citizens.
We hope the information provided about the New National Policy on Senior Citizens will help you boost your knowledge.