Taking Care of Elderly Population in India

Context 

India’s population is changing at a rate that needs immediate care. The rapidly aging population needs equal care, even though the youth bulge and demographic dividend of the nation receive a lot of attention in public discourse.

According to estimates, the percentage of older people in India will increase from 8.6% in 2011 to 20.8% by 2050. Aging quickly—in about 20–30 years as opposed to a century in Western nations—is surpassing the creation of sufficient social safety nets for the elderly.

Elderly Care Schemes in India

• Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana – Establishing homes to improve quality of life for senior citizens by providing shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment. Encouraging states/UTs to create their own action plans for senior citizen welfare.
• National Social Assistance Program – Financial assistance to elderly, widows, and disabled persons. 
• National Program for Healthcare of Elderly – Comprehensive healthcare for elderly at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Geriatric OPD, IPD, physiotherapy, and lab services in 713 districts. 
• Atal Pension Yojana – Pension scheme for individuals aged 18-40, offering guaranteed pension at age 60. 
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Priority housing allocation for families with senior citizens on ground or lower floors. 
• DAY-NULM – Shelters for urban homeless, including senior citizens.

Major Challenges faced by Elderly in India

• Issues with Pensions – India’s pension system is dreadfully insufficient given the country’s aging populace. Formal pension schemes cover only approximately 12% of the workforce (World Bank), meaning that the great majority of people will not have financial stability in their later years. The elderly impoverished receive a pitiful Rs. 200-500 per month from the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), hardly enough for subsistence. 
• Healthcare Hurdles – The older population of India bears a heavy burden due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The majority of people over 60 in India have non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders, according to the Longitudinal Ageing Survey (LASI). 
• Unable to Cope up with Technology – The senior population in India is becoming more and more marginalized in the digital divide as the country quickly digitizes. Essential services, such as banking and medical appointments, are increasingly being provided online. 86% of senior adults do not know how to operate a computer or digital device. 
• Elder Abuse – Elder abuse is becoming a bigger issue in India, albeit it’s frequently taboo. Data from Elders Helpline 1090 and Elderline 14567 shows that after the lockdown, elder maltreatment rose by 251%. Other commonplace practices include financial exploitation, neglect, and even physical abuse.  
• Housing Havoc – In India, finding suitable and inexpensive accommodation for the elderly is a major problem. Retirement homes catering to the wealthy are springing up, while options for middle-class and lower-class seniors are scarce. There are safety hazards in the current housing stock because age-appropriate design elements like grab bars, emergency response systems, and ramps are missing.

Measures to Enhance Elderly Care in India

• Boosting Silver Economy – Launch a nationwide “Silver Skills” initiative to retrain and hire senior citizens in fields like child care, handicrafts, and mentoring. Build a government-backed microfinance program exclusively for senior business owners, and offer tax breaks to employers who hire employees over 60. 
• Tech-Empowered Elderly Care – Start a national “Digital Dada-Dadi” campaign to increase senior citizens’ digital literacy, taking into account all methods of reaching the last mile for digital penetration. Collaborate with digital firms to create easily navigable applications and gadgets specifically designed for the elderly, emphasizing health tracking, social media integration, and necessary services. 
• Community-Care Hubs – Create official “Varishtha Seva Kendras” (Senior Service Centers) in each rural panchayat and urban ward. These hubs would function as one-stop shops for senior citizens’ needs, providing connections for social activities, legal assistance, pension services, and health examinations.  
• Improving Financial Security Net – To promote retirement savings planning, consider offering a “Senior Citizen Savings Bond” with a higher interest rate. Provide more comprehensive, lower-cost, senior-specific health insurance plans that cover mental health and home care services.  
• Elder Rights Protection – Create specialized “Elder Protection Units” in police stations to address senior exploitation and abuse cases. Establish a system of required reporting for bank employees and healthcare professionals to identify possible elder abuse incidents.
• Age-Friendly Cities – Create a national “Age-Friendly City” certification scheme that includes standards for services, transportation, and public areas that are accessible. Encourage cities to follow these rules by giving them more money and prestige. Important elements can be senior-friendly parks with exercise equipment, preferential seats in public transportation, and accessible restrooms. 
• Elderly Nutrition  Mission – Introduce a “Poshan for Elders” initiative that applies the kid nutrition program’s winning formula to senior citizens. This would entail offering fortified meals via community kitchens, educating caregivers about nutrition, and conducting routine health examinations with an emphasis on nutritional status.

Way Forward

To address India’s rapidly aging population, it is crucial to enhance social safety nets and healthcare services, promote digital literacy among seniors, and ensure financial security through improved pension schemes and targeted savings bonds. Establishing community-care hubs and age-friendly cities, along with specialized elder protection units, will provide comprehensive support. Additionally, launching initiatives like “Silver Skills” and “Poshan for Elders” will empower the elderly economically and nutritionally. By integrating these measures, India can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for its senior citizens, ensuring their well-being and dignity in the face of demographic changes.

SOURCE: The Indian Express

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