India is at a pivotal moment when it comes to its demographic dividend, particularly with its growing elderly population. As the country experiences a significant shift in its age structure, the number of elderly citizens is rapidly increasing. This presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, there is a wealth of experience and wisdom that can be harnessed; on the other hand, there are pressing concerns about healthcare, social security, and the overall well-being of the aging population. How India navigates this crossroad will have profound implications for its future economic and social landscape.
Tags: GS Paper – 2, Government Policies & Interventions – Issues Related to Elderly – Human Resource
Context:
- India is undergoing a rapid demographic shift with an ageing population, set to rise from 8.6% in 2011 to 20.8% by 2050.
- This swift ageing contrasts with the slower pace in Western countries and is outstripping the development of social protection systems.
- Unlike some East and Southeast Asian nations, India lacks a universal pension scheme, comprehensive health insurance, and robust social care for the elderly.
- Current data reveal significant inequalities in service availability, accessibility, and affordability, influenced by factors such as location, class, caste, gender, and formal employment access.
- Addressing these disparities in financial security, health services, and social care is crucial as India becomes an ageing society.
What are the major challenges faced by the elderly in India?
- The Pension Predicament:
- India’s pension system is inadequate, with only about 12% of the workforce covered by formal schemes (World Bank).
- Most elderly individuals lack financial security in old age.
- The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) provides a minimal pension of Rs. 200-500 per month, insufficient for basic needs.
- Healthcare Hurdles:
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions heavily affect the elderly.
- The Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI) reports widespread NCDs among those over 60.
- High healthcare costs are impoverishing 55 million Indians annually, with the elderly particularly vulnerable.
- India has a shortage of geriatric care facilities and specialists, producing only 20 geriatricians per year.
- The Loneliness Epidemic:
- Urbanisation and changing family structures have led to social isolation among the elderly, replacing traditional joint family systems with nuclear families.
- This isolation has mental health repercussions, with depression rates among the elderly estimated at 10-20%.
- The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, underscoring the need for community support and social engagement.
- Left Behind in a Tech-Driven World:
- Rapid digitization leaves many elderly citizens digitally illiterate, with about 86% lacking the skills to use digital technology or computers.
- This digital divide limits their access to essential services and social connections, deepening their isolation and dependency.
- Elder Abuse:
- Elder abuse is increasing, with a 251% rise in reported cases post-lockdown according to Elders Helpline 1090 and Elderline 14567.
- Financial exploitation, neglect, and physical abuse are common.
- Despite the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, enforcement is weak, and many cases go unreported due to dependency, fear, or stigma.
- Housing Havoc:
- Adequate and affordable housing for the elderly is scarce. While retirement communities exist for the affluent, options for middle and lower-income seniors are limited.
- Existing housing lacks age-appropriate design features, such as ramps and grab bars, posing safety risks.
- The shortage of affordable assisted living facilities adds to the challenge.
What are the major elderly care schemes in India?
- Department of Social Justice and Empowerment:
- Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana: Umbrella scheme for elderly welfare.
- Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Establishes homes providing shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment.
- State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC): Encourages states/UTs to develop their own senior citizen welfare plans.
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Provides physical aids and assisted-living devices.
- Livelihood and Skilling Initiatives: Includes Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) and Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR).
- Awareness Generation and Capacity Building: Includes training, sensitization, and National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Elderline: 14567).
- Ministry of Rural Development:
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): Financial assistance for elderly, widows, and disabled persons.
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Monthly pension for elderly BPL individuals.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:
- National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE): Provides comprehensive healthcare at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
- Primary & Secondary Care: Includes geriatric OPD, IPD, physiotherapy, and lab services in 713 districts.
- Tertiary Care: Includes Regional Geriatric Centres (RGCs) and 2 National Centres for Ageing.
- Ministry of Finance:
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Pension scheme for individuals aged 18-40, guaranteeing a pension at age 60.
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs:
- Model Building Bye Laws, 2016: Standards for elder-friendly building environments.
- Urban Bus Specification-II (2013): Promotes low floor buses for easier access for the elderly and disabled.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Prioritises housing allocation for families with senior citizens on ground or lower floors.
- DAY-NULM: Provides shelters for urban homeless, including seniors.
What additional measures to enhance elderly care in India?
- Silver Economy Boost:
- “Silver Skills” Program: Implement a national program to retrain and employ seniors in sectors such as childcare, traditional crafts, and mentorship roles.
- Tax Incentives and Microfinance: Create tax incentives for companies hiring workers over 60 and establish a government-backed microfinance scheme for elderly entrepreneurs.
- Example: Adapt Singapore’s “WorkPro” scheme, which provides grants to age-friendly companies, to India for generating income and utilising elderly experience.
- Tech-Empowered Eldercare:
- “Digital Dada-Dadi” Initiative: Launch a nationwide program to enhance digital literacy among the elderly, ensuring measures for digital penetration reach the last mile.
- Tech Partnerships and Subsidies: Collaborate with tech companies to develop user-friendly apps for health monitoring, social connectivity, and essential services, and implement a subsidised smartphone program for low-income seniors.
- “Digital Sahayaks”: Establish a network of young volunteers to provide tech support to seniors in their communities.
- Community Care Hubs:
- “Varishtha Seva Kendras”: Create senior service centres in every urban ward and rural panchayat as one-stop shops for health check-ups, legal aid, pension services, and social activities.
- Model: Adapt Japan’s community-based integrated care system, including home care coordination and respite care for caregivers, with local NGOs managing the centres.
- Geriatric Health Corps:
- “Geriatric Health Workers”: Form a cadre of geriatric health workers within the ASHA framework, providing specialised training and digital health toolkits for remote monitoring and assessments.
- Mobile Clinics and Education: Establish mobile geriatric clinics for remote areas and integrate geriatric care modules into medical and nursing curricula. Leverage initiatives like IISc Bengaluru’s ‘Longevity India’ for research and interventions.
- Improving Financial Security Net:
- “Senior Citizen Savings Bond”: Introduce bonds with higher interest rates for old age financial planning.
- Specialized Health Insurance:
- Develop health insurance products with lower premiums and broader coverage, including mental health and home care services.
- Adapt models like Japan’s Long-Term Care Insurance to the Indian context.
- Elder Rights Protection:
- Elder Protection Units: Establish units in police stations to handle elder abuse and exploitation cases.
- Mandatory Reporting System: Implement systems for healthcare providers and bank officials to report suspected elder abuse.
- Legislation Enforcement: Strengthen the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act by setting up fast-track courts for elder-related cases and increasing penalties for non-compliance.
- Age-Friendly Cities:
- “Age-Friendly City” Certification: Develop a certification program with guidelines for accessible public spaces, transportation, and services.
- Incentives:
- Provide funding and recognition to cities implementing these guidelines.
- Features could include accessible public toilets, priority seating in public transport, and elderly-friendly parks.
- Elderly Nutrition Mission:
- “Poshan for Elders” Scheme: Extend child nutrition principles to the elderly, including fortified meals from community kitchens, nutrition education for caregivers, and regular health check-ups focused on nutritional status.
- Silver Volunteers:
- “Senior Volunteer Corps”: Establish a national corps for engaging healthy seniors in community service roles.
- Incentives: Provide benefits like health insurance coverage or travel allowances to active volunteers, promoting active ageing and a sense of purpose.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
Prelims:
Q:1 Consider the following statements with reference to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): (2008)
- All persons of 60 years or above belonging to the households below poverty line in rural areas are eligible.
- The Central Assistance under this Scheme is at the rate of `300 per month per beneficiary. Under the Scheme, States have been urged to give matching amounts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: D
Mains:
Q:1 Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to the absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process. Discuss. (2019)
Source: IE
FAQs
Q: What is a demographic dividend?
Answer: A demographic dividend is the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a country’s age structure, mainly when the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age population. This can boost productivity and economic growth.
Q: How does India’s aging population impact the demographic dividend?
Answer: India’s aging population presents a challenge to the demographic dividend. As the number of elderly people increases, there is a greater need for healthcare, pensions, and social support, which can strain resources and reduce the economic benefits of a larger working-age population.
Q: What challenges do elderly people in India face?
Answer: Elderly people in India face challenges such as inadequate healthcare, financial insecurity, lack of social support, and isolation. Many do not have sufficient pension or savings to support themselves and rely heavily on their families or government aid.
Q: How can India support its elderly population?
Answer: India can support its elderly population by improving healthcare services, offering better pension schemes, creating social programs to reduce isolation, and encouraging active aging. Policies aimed at financial security and affordable healthcare are crucial.
Q: What are the potential benefits of addressing the needs of India’s elderly?
Answer: Addressing the needs of India’s elderly can lead to a healthier, more active aging population that contributes to society. It can also reduce the burden on the working-age population, ensuring that the demographic dividend is not lost and enhancing overall economic stability and growth.
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