National Policy on Older Persons in India

In News: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has recently implemented a central sector scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSRC).

About

• The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP): It was announced in 1999 to ensure the well-being of older persons.
  • The Policy envisages State support to ensure financial and food security, health care, shelter and other needs of older persons.
  • It aims to ensure equitable share in the development, protection against abuse and exploitation, and availability of services to improve the quality of their lives.
• Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Grants in aid are given for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes (Old Age Homes)/ Continuous Care Homes, Mobile Medicare Units, etc.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Aids and assistive living devices are provided to senior citizens belonging to BPL category
  • It is also available to those senior citizens who earn less than 15000/- per month and suffer from age-related disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth, and loco-motor disabilities.
• National Helpline for Senior Citizen (14567)- Elderline: It has been set up to address the grievances of the elders.
  • It has been launched across the country and offers services to the senior citizens through a toll-free number 14567.
• State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC): Each State/UT is expected to plan and strategize taking into account their local considerations and frame their own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior citizens.
• SAGE: It aims to promote out-of-the-box and innovative solutions for the commonly faced problems.
  • Innovative start-ups will be identified and encouraged for developing products, processes, and services for the welfare of the elderly under this initiative.
• Umbrella Scheme of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: It includes awareness generation/sensitization programmes with school/college students for strengthening inter-generational bonding.
  • It will be providing information and educational material to individuals, families, and groups for better understanding of the ageing process.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1907149#:~:text=The%20Policy%20envisages%20State%20support,the%20quality%20of%20their%20lives