Magazine 2012
Aging Problem in India And
Social Support For The Aged
Dr. Beenu Singh
B. M. Ruia College, Mumbai.
There will be two elderly persons for every child in the world by 2050, going by the projections of the UN
Population Division. This implies that the 60-plus category, which now constitutes less than 20 per centre of the
population, will account for 32 percent the population by 2050.Another disturbing revelation made by the UN
agency is that fertility levels in the most developing countries are expected to fall below 2.1 children per
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woman, the level needed to ensure the long-term replacement of the population at some point in the 21
century. As for the developed countries such as Japan and Germany, rapid grayling of the population could
result in an acute manpower shortage, requiring the service of the b guest workersb to run the economy.
Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon, and India is no longer exception to the rule. Census
report indicates that Indian Population has approximately tripled during last 50 years, but the number of elderly
Indians has increased more than fourfold. When considering the continuation of trend, the United Nations
predicts that the Indian population will grow by 50%in next 50 years, whereas the elderly population is expected
to grow another four fold. Research in India reveals that 90 per cent of the old people belong to the unorganised
sector, with no social security at the age of 60. Thirty per cent of the elderly live below the poverty line and
another 33 percent just marginally above it. Eighty per cent live in the rural areas. An estimated 73 per cent are
illiterate, and can only be engaged in physical labour. And 55per cent of women over 60 are widows, many of
them with no support whatsoever. There are nearly 200,000 centenarians in India. The incredible increase in life
expectancy may be termed one of the greatest triumphs of human civilization. But it has posed one of the
toughest challenges to be met by modern society. The term b oldb is always related to physical incapacity,
biological deterioration and disabilities and psychological failures. A healthy lifestyle is also required during
old age. But in the Indian context, there exist three different trends that are seriously threatening the chances of
meeting such needs. These are a rapidly growing elderly population, the gradual erosion of the traditional joint
family system and the inability of the government to sustain the incremental burden of pension expenses for its
own employees. Hence, the possibility of government support for any other section of the elderly population
in the society may be ruled out (Vaidyanathan2003). However, an aged person has the right to decide about
personal needs and aspirations, depending upon capacity. Only a sound social security system can protect
such rights by assuring regular income during the post-retirement years. But developing such a system for the
Indian populace is a Herculean task, as a majority of them do not currently enjoy any type of old-age income
security. Neither the government nor the public sector alone can formulate it; the private sector cannot develop
it in isolation either. Joint approaches and strategies will be required to design and build up a robust old-age
income security system (WHO 2002).
NATIONAL POLICY ON OLDER PERSONS (NPOP)
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Government of India announced the National Policy on Older Persons in 1999 to reaffirm its commitment
to ensure the well-being of the older persons in a holistic manner.Reiterating the mandate enshrined in
Article 41 of the Constitution of India, the Policy has brought the concern for older persons on top of the
National Agenda. The NPOP while promising to safeguard their interest in terms of financial security,
health, legal, social and psychological security, also envisages a productive partnership with them in the
process of development by creating opportunities for their gainful engagement and employment. The
Policy also appreciates special needs of older persons and therefore lays emphasis on empowerment of
community as well as individuals to adequately meet the challenges of the process of ageing.
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The NPOP broadly provides for the following to full- fill these objectives:
.1. Financial security through coverage under Old Age Pension Scheme for poor and Destitute older persons,
better returns on earnings/savings of Government/Quasi- Government employeesb savings in Provident
Fund, etc., creating opportunities for continued education/skill up-gradation ensuring thereby continued
employment/self employment and income generation and provision for Pension Scheme for self-
employed,employees of the non-formal, and non-governmental sector.
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.2. Health Security: The NPOP recognizes special health needs of the older persons to be met through
strengthening and reorienting the public health services at Primary Health Care level, creation of health
facilities through non-profit organization like trust/charity, etc., and implementing health insurance.
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.3. Recognizing Shelter as basic human need, the NPOP provides for earmarking 10 percent of the houses/
housing sites in urban as well as rural areas for older persons belonging to the lower income groups,
special consideration to the older persons falling in the category of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and
destitute in housing schemes like Indira Awas Yojana, loans at reasonable interest rates and easy repayment
installments with tax relief for purchase of houses etc.
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.4. Education/information needs of older persons too have got adequately reflected in the National Policy.
Education/information material relevant to the lives of older persons should be developed and made
available through mass media. Education, training and information being the important human
requirement, the NPOP provides for proactive role in ensuring the same by disseminating knowledge
about preparation of Old Age. It is also emphasized for schools to have programme on inter-generational
bonding.
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.5. Welfare and Institutional Care: Institutional Care has been provided for in the NPOP as the last resort.
The care in non-institutional set up i.e. within family and the community needs to be strengthened and
encouraged. This apart, the State should also create infrastructure in partnership with voluntary
organizations to provide for poor, destitute and neglected older persons whose care cannot be ensured
within the family. This is to be ensured through Old Age Homes and other such institutional facilities that
would be needed. Voluntary efforts needs to be encouraged for creating facilities for day care, outreach
services, multi-service citizen centres, etc.
.6. Protection of Life and Property of Older Persons: The State has to gear up security network to save older
persons from criminal offence and police is required to keep friendly vigil. Early settlement of property/
inheritance disputes is to be done, safeguards to protect them from fraudulent dealings in transfer of
property through sale/b Willb are to be put in place and free legal aid and toll free helpline services are to
be placed across the country. Maintenance of elderly within family resorting to the provisions of law viz.
Criminal Procedure Code, (Cr.P.C.) 1973, Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act. (HAMA) 1956 etc.,
whenever needed is required to be ensured.
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.7. Training of Human Resource to care for Older Persons: The Policy lays emphasis on need for trained
personnel/care givers. This envisages the training of human resource in the areas like specialization in
Geriatrics in medical courses, special courses on Geriatric Care in nursing training, training of social
workers specially for geriatric care and professional caregivers.
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.8 Media: The Policy enjoins upon media to take up a special responsibility for the care of older persons.
Media is to play a role in identifying emerging issues and areas of action, dispelling stereo-types and
negative images about the old age, maintaining restraint from creating fear psychosis by responsible
reporting, promoting intergenerational bonds and informing individuals/families/groups with appropriate
information on ageing process
AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES
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National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) The National Social Assistance Programme came into
effect from 15th August, 1995. NSAP is a social assistance programme for the poor households and
represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles enshrined in Article 41 and
42 of the Constitution of India, recognizing concurrent responsibility of the Central and State Governments
in the matter.
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.1 The National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) The Scheme covers older persons/destitutes having
little or no regular means of subsistence from his/her own source of income or through financial support
from family members or other sources. The age of applicant must be 65 years or above. At present 50%
of the older persons under Below Poverty Line (BPL) destitutes are covered under NOAPS. The Central
Government contributes Rs.200/- per month per beneficiary. The State (Provincial) Governments are
advised to add matching amount or more as their contribution in the federal set-up. During the Tenth
Five Year Plan (2002 b 07) a total of 110,793,860 elderly were covered and US $ 1002.20 million
approximately was incurred on this count.
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.2 Annapurna Scheme Annapurna Scheme covers all the other elderly below poverty line who are not
covered under the NOAPS. A provision of 10 k.gs. of rice or wheat is provided to the needy elderly.
Under the scheme US $ 56 million was incurred and 43,03,491 elderly were covered in tenth plan (2002-
07)
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Concessions/Tax Rebate/Other Incentives
2.1 Presently persons of 60 years of age are entitled for 30% concessions in train fare in all classes. There are
different airlines providing 45% to 50% concession in air journey to senior citizens.
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.2 Older persons who are above 65 years of age also enjoy income tax rebate upto 15,000 of actual tax
with provision for deduction of Rs.20,000 spent on account of medical insurance premium and Rs.40,000
spent on account of medical treatment from taxable income. Senior citizens are exempted from Income
Tax upto 1.95 lakh as per the union Annual Budget, 2007.
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.3 Banks are providing 0.5% -1% additional interest to older persons of 65 years and above on fixed
deposit. The public facilities for the elderly are initiated by the Government which include reservation of
seats for elderly in the public transport, railways and airways etc.
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Insurance Coverage
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.1 Some of the public sector insurance companies provide life insurance coverage upto 75 years of age
and many private insurance companies have 55 years as the last entry age. The Insurance Policy Schemes
announced for older persons include Jeevan Dhara (18-65 years), Jeevan Akshay (30-75 years), Jeevan
Suraksha (25-60 years), Senior Citizen Unit Plan (18-54 years). In addition, Health Insurance Schemes
covering Mediclaim Policy and other individual and Group Mediclaim Policies are also offered by
Nationalized as well as private insurance companies. The government is taking steps to enforce a uniform
policy on all Insurance Companies as regards entry age of Senior Citizens.
3.2 The government has launched a Reverse Mortgage System for senior citizens to extract value out of their
property and lead a hassle free life by securing a regular income as loan against their existing property.
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Integrated Programmes for Older Persons
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India is implementing an Integrated Programme
for Older Persons with an aim to empower and improve the quality of life of older persons. The basic
thrust of the programme is on older persons of 60 years and above particularly the infirm, destitute and
widows. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations,
Autonomous Bodies, Educational Institutions, Cooperative Societies, etc., up to 90 per cent of the
project cost for setting up and maintenance of Day Care Centres, Mobile Medi-care Units, Old Age
Homes and Non-Institutional Service Centres. During the Tenth Five Year plan, Ministry provided financial
assistance to voluntary organizations to the tune of US $ 18.6 million.
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Construction of Old Age Homes
The scheme for Assistance to construction of Old Age Homes provides one time grant to Local Bodies,
NGOs etc. for construction of Old Age Homes or Multi-Service Centres for older persons. The Ministry
also incurred an expenditure of US $ 70,000 for construction of Old Age Homes during Tenth FiveYear
Plan.
Health Security
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Growing old is also marked by failing health and advancing age may bring with it enumberable health
complications. Restricted physical mobility coupled with crippled health makes it difficult for older
persons to access the health facilities if they do not enjoy the support of the family or have a care
institution within their easy access. Realizing the real situation wherein the older persons live, Para 36 of
the National Policy envisages covering of health insurance and financial security towards essential medical
care and affordable treatment process. Some of the initiatives by the Government is enabling a separate
counters/O.P.D. in hospitals and free medical services in Central Government Health Scheme, Government
Hospitals to facilitate easy accessibility to the elderly including Geriatric Units in the Hospitals.
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Care of Alzheimerb s Disease and other Dementias Many of the Government and public hospitals have
started Memory Clinics, Mental Health Programmes to facilitate proper diagnosis of Dementia to enable
slowing down the process and preparing the care-givers and the family to manage Alzheimerb s and
Dementia Care . The National Institute of Social Defence under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
has initiated training of care-givers and functionaries as a special initiative on the centenary of Alzheimerb s
.
PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY
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A Legislation On The Anvil
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.1 The older persons become soft target for miscreants within and outside family. Disputes relating to
aintenance and property and inheritance adds to their vulnerability. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure
the safety and well-being of Older Persons through creation of necessary infrastructure and legal provisions.
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.2 It is felt that it is high time to back the moral obligation of children to look after their parents in their old
age by a legal obligation. India is moving ahead to safeguard and protect the Best Interest of Older
Persons through Central Legislation, which is on the anvil, by
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Ensuring Care and Protection of Older Persons within the family
Ensuring early settlement of maintenance claim through a Tribunal
Prevention of destitution by enough Institutional facilities
Provision for Old Age Homes covering all the districts to ensure that facility to accommodate 150
needy elderly in each of them.
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Helpline Services for Older Persons
2.1 The State Governments. and Office of the Commissioner of Police in collaboration with NGOs have
initiated special protective measures for safeguarding the elderly and one such innovative approach is
b
Helpline Servicesb in some big cities.
S.No. Deptt/NGOs
Helpline
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Delhi Police -
1291- 1091- 100
00-91-11-29830484
Agewell Foundation, New Delhi
00-91-11-29836486
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Nightingales MedicalTrust & City Police,Bangalore
Dignity Foundation, Delhi Chapter, Mumbai Chapter
Chennai Chapter, Jamshedpur, Chapter, Kolkata Chapter
1090
91-11-29534745
91-22-23898078
91-44-26473165
91-657-2268307
91-33-24741314
Training & Human Resource Development for Home Care
In the changing family context, role of professionally trained home carers become very crucial.
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Therefore, preparing a frontline cadre of care givers to ensure quality care at home as well as in the
institutions is one of the important strategies. In the wake of disintegration of Joint Family System, it is
ensured that professionally trained carers are available to meet the demand. In order to meet this objective,
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched the Project b NICEb (National Initiative on Care for
Elderly) through National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) an autonomous body of the Ministry of
Social Justice & Empowerment in 2000. The NISD organizes one year P.G. Diploma Course and Six
Month Certificate Courses under Project NICE to meet the demand for care givers. In addition, Short
Terms Courses varying from 5 days to One Month are also organized for skill upgradation of Service
Providers working in Old Age Homes, etc. In the X Five year plan, NISD as so far organised 85 training
programme and 2535 care givers and service providers were trained.
INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES OF NISD IN THE CHANGING CONTEXT
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Community Training in Computer for Elderly b There is a] foundational connection between information
and social obligation, since the moral b and of course the political b need to pay attention to others
depends greatly on our knowledge and information about themb &. More information in itself goes a long
way to breaking that chain of apathy and indifference.b - Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate
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.1 To foster active and productive ageing NISD has initiated a novel programme for the older people. It
aims at imparting computer training to the elderly people. The success of a few trainings conducted
earlier had left no doubt that older people not only love to learn at the b ripe ageb but benefit from it. This
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programme is launched with a view to help Older Persons dispel their inhibitions to adopt to new
technology and take advantage of IT enabled services like e-Ticketing, e-Banking, e-Business etc.
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.2. By demonstrating that elders can use computers comfortably. We are countering the stereotypical
mind-set and attitude on the one hand and instill confidence among elderly on the other. This is bound
to go a long way in bringing a neglected segment of population in b digital mainstream.b
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Single Window System
Facilities to disseminate information on various concessions/reservations/rebates provided to senior
citizens by different Ministries of the Government of India is placed on the website of the Ministry of
Social Justice & Empowerment. NISD has also taken such initiatives by developing a User Friendly
Document on Geriatric Care. Which is available on www.nisd.gov.in The information is also disseminated
to the elderly through Helpline Services. Some of the NGOs such as Helpage India have also brought
out Senior Citizens Guide.
3.
Voluntary Bureau of Elderly
Volunteers Bureau of Elderly is a network of elderly who could be available for different kinds of services
on demand. The International Longevity Centre, Pune an NGO working for welfare of elderly has successfully
used this concept over the years for gainful engagement of elderly post-retirement. The NISD in
collaboration with them organized Workshops to showcase the successful models of Government and
NGO interventions including the volunteers Bureau for winder replication and laying thrust on the concept
of volunteerism, inter-generational bonding and successful experiences sharing.
4.
Inter-Generational Bonding
Bridging the intergenerational gap is another innovative project has been pilot tested by the Ministry of
Social Justice & Empowerment The programme would be carried out for school children by creating
awareness and sensitizing them on the issue.
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Innovative public training
Creating broader awareness of the issues, available services, rights and redressal mechanisms are an
important means to create an elderly friendly environment. NISD has taken it up in a serious manner and
had developed a number of video spots to be aired on popular TV channels. It has developed an
innovative b do-it-yourselfb publicity material like an interesting cataract awareness b wall hangingb . In addition,
there are other useful publications and exhibits giving latest information about schemes, concessions,
rights and available services for the elderly people.
INITIATIVES BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
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There are a number of specialized NGOs coming up to join hands with the efforts of the government
towards creating an elderly friendly environment in the country. The Senior Citizen Forums and Welfare
Associations have been formed by the elderly themselves in various localities in Delhi. Senior Citizens
Council, New Delhi has more than 500 members from all walks of life. They assemble at a Public Park
everyday for an hour in the morning to attend religious discourses. The other activities of the Forum
includes yoga, free health checkup camps, special care of senior citizens who were living alone Helpage
India is dedicated to the service of elderly through various programmes. In one of the major initiatives in
the State of Gujarat it has got 63 Self Help Groups formed consisting of an overall 1000 elderly women.
Servants of People Society at Chandigarh, a national level NGO, is working for the cause of elderly and
stresses upon the value systems of our tradition.
Conclusion
As programme for the aged should deal with their physical, psychological and emotional needs. For
loneliness and a sense of guilt on being dependent on the family continues to haunt them with sustained
vigour. As such sociologists suggest that the aged should be made to involve themselves in creative
and developmental programmes. Most importantly, perhaps, is the need for sensitivity and sensibility
in making these plans. The elder citizen is a national treasure; one who has contributed to both national
growth and familial development. As they approach the autumn of their lives, they experience diminishing
ability to generate income, increasing vulnerability to illness and disability, and increasing dependency
on their families and communities. Rather than view this dependence as a burden to be endured, we
must as a society embrace it whole-heartedly, as a pay back opportunity; to thank senior citizens for
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their many unconditional contributions. The organisation and delivery of elder health care must therefore
be approached with enthusiasm, altruism and generosity. Mature health policy for the elder combined
with a generous dose of pragmatism in organising, delivering and funding health care services is the
need of the hour. World Alzheimerb s Day has just passed b September 21, 2010, and we should be
reminded about the challenge of population ageing; the looming burden of elder disability; and the
need for a comprehensive and pragmatic National Policy for Older Persons.
References-
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Bhatla, P.C. (ed.). b Proceedings on Care of the Elderly - A Round-Table Discussionb , 6-8 December
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