Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes;
Context
NITI Aayog has recently published a position paper titled “Senior Care Reforms in India: Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm”.
Introduction
India is experiencing a remarkable surge in the elderly population, accompanied by a declining fertility rate (below 2.0) and an upward trend in life expectancy (exceeding 70 years). Presently, the elderly constitute slightly over 10% of the total population, equivalent to approximately 104 million individuals. Projections by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) indicate that by 2050, this demographic will encompass 19.5% of India’s entire population.
Key highlights of the report
- Demographics and Trends
- The elderly population (aged 60 years and above) made up 8.6% of India’s total population in the 2011 Census, totaling approximately 103 million elderly individuals.
- The population aged 75 years and above is projected to increase by a staggering 340% between 2011 and 2050.
- Health Status and Challenges
- The shift from high to low mortality rates has transferred a significant disease burden to the older population.
- 75% of the elderly have one or more chronic diseases.
- Every 4th Indian over 60 years reported having poor health.
- Around 20% of the elderly in India have mental health issues.
- Rural Urban Divide: 71% of elderly persons reside in rural areas.
- Life Satisfaction: Nearly 32% of the elderly reported low life satisfaction.
- Policy and Infrastructure
- There is a lack of a comprehensive, integrated policy for senior care and support, leading to gaps in infrastructure, capacities, and knowledge repositories for geriatric illness management.
- The absence of a structured policy framework results in a lack of monitoring mechanisms and emergency response systems.
- Access to Healthcare Services
- Access to healthcare services can be challenging for older adults in India, particularly those in rural areas.
- As per the National Health Profile, in 2017, there were only 43 physicians per 100,000 population in rural areas, compared to 118 physicians per 100,000 population in urban areas.
- Economic Implications
- The phenomenon of population aging impacts all aspects of society, including changes in labour and financial markets.
- Medical expenses are more than double for this population segment as older people are likely to consume more healthcare services.
- Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) 2021 Report
- The report highlights that a significant portion of the elderly population suffers from chronic diseases, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and low life satisfaction.
- It notes the shift in disease burden, rising dependency ratios, evolving family structures, and altered consumption patterns.
Challenges and issues faced by elder population
- Health Inclusion
- Absence of a comprehensive and integrated package of services.
- Infrastructure gap in elderly care and inadequate emergency response.
- Shortage of skilled manpower.
- Lack of evidence-backed geriatric diseases knowledge repository.
- Insufficient focus on hygiene related issues.
- Social Inclusion
- Limited scope of social security nets.
- Limited awareness regarding their rights and provisions available.
- Changing family structure and loss of social support.
- Inadequate elderly-friendly infrastructure and R&D activities.
- Economic Inclusion
- Financial illiteracy leads to financial abuse and fraud.
- Financial insecurity as elderly people are assumed to be ‘less productive’, pension and health facilities are inadequate.
- Lack of universal and comprehensive financial systems for old age security.
- Deficient support in lifetime financial planning.
- Digital Inclusion
- Digital illiteracy among seniors.
- Insufficient access to digital goods.
- Paucity of digital training modules for the elderly.
- Unaffordable digital equipment and limited broadband connection.
Key recommendations of NITI Aayog
- Health Domain
- Promote health literacy among seniors and their caregivers to enhance understanding of geriatric health issues.
- Strengthen health services under the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre initiative.
- Enhance skilled workforce as per WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health.
- Increase accessibility of services like home health care, mental health services, Poshan Abhiyan for senior citizens.
- Establish a national senior care centre for continuous data input for evidence-based strategies and policies.
- Social Inclusion
- Increase awareness in the larger community about the needs and challenges of the elderly.
- Establish peer support groups under the ‘Elder for the elderly’ model.
- Legal reforms to strengthen the existing Welfare and Maintenance Act for the elderly population.
- Policy
- Implement elderly-friendly living/housing sector reforms and establish a single window portal for senior living projects.
- Develop a ‘one stop’ centralized portal for senior care.
- Promote care economy for senior care, recognizing care work and care workers.
- Economic Empowerment
- Reskill elderly to foster age-friendly labour markets and employment opportunities.
- Provide work opportunities for the elderly under the ‘Grey interns’ model.
- Increase awareness to protect the elderly from financial fraud.
- Implement Tax and GST reforms in senior care products and establish a mandatory savings plan for senior citizens.
- Digital Inclusion
- Improve accessibility to digital devices for seniors.
- Promote digital literacy through targeted campaigns, workshops, self-help groups, and NGOs.
- Harness technology like Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Big Data for routine procedures.
- Silver Economy
- Only a little more than one-third (34%) of the elderly are currently working.
- Appropriate interventions are required from the government to boost the “silver economy,” which is an economy driven by goods & services demanded by the elderly.
- There is a need for work opportunities that can provide a platform for the elderly to utilize their experience and expertise in various sectors.
Global initiatives related to Senior Care and Aging
- Vienna International Plan of Action
- The first international initiative that sparked the debate around ageing.
- Adopted by the World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 and endorsed by the UN General Assembly.
- Aims to increase the ability of governments and civil society to deal with population ageing.
- Serves as a framework for developing policies and programs on ageing.
- United Nations Principles for Older Persons
- Followed the Vienna International Plan on Ageing.
- Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1991.
- Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA)
- Adopted by the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002.
- Aims at “building a society for all ages” and indicates a paradigm shift in how the world approaches ageing.
- Offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and managing the issue of ageing.
- 2021-2030 as the ‘Decade of Healthy Ageing
- Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020.
- Urges governments, civil societies, international organizations, professionals, academia, media, and the private sector to work together towards improving the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.
Indian initiatives related to Senior Care and Aging
- Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
- Provides old age income security for senior citizens through an assured pension/return linked to the subscription amount.
- The scheme is based on a government guarantee to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
- Offers an assured return of 8% per annum for 10 years.
- Integrated Program for Older Persons (IPOP)
- Aims to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.
- Provides basic amenities such as food, shelter, medical care, and entertainment opportunities.
- Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana
- A central sector scheme funded from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund.
- All unclaimed amounts from small savings accounts, Employee Provident Fund (EPF), and Public Provident Fund (PPF) are transferred to this fund.
- Aims to provide aids and assistive living devices to senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category who suffer from age-related disabilities.
- SAMPANN Project
- Launched in 2018 as a seamless online pension processing and payment system for Department of Telecommunications pensioners.
- Provides direct credit of pension into the bank accounts of pensioners.
- SACRED Portal for Elderly
- Developed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Allows citizens above 60 years of age to register and find jobs and work opportunities.
- Elder Line: Toll-Free Number for Elderly
- Provides information, guidance, and emotional support, particularly on pension, medical, and legal issues.
- Offers immediate assistance in cases of abuse.
- Serves as a platform for senior citizens to connect, share their concerns, and get guidance on day-to-day problems.
- SAGE (Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine) Initiative
- Provides a “one-stop access” of elderly care products and services by credible start-ups.
- Launched to assist individuals interested in entrepreneurship in the field of providing services for elderly care.
Way forward
- Strengthening the PPP Model for Senior Care: The Public Private Partnership model could support the development of private infrastructure and enhance access to senior care facilities for all economic segments of seniors.
- Channelizing CSR Funds for Elderly Care: Earmarking CSR funds as a contribution to national funds or for care provided to the non-affording category of seniors in their facilities in lieu of concessional land, utilities, tax rebates, etc. Example: A scheme under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Rules 1951 can be leveraged for elderly care.
- Exploring Various Sectors: The private sector can explore avenues like elder care homes, mobile medical units, health camps, skill building program etc., through PPP model and CSR funds.
- Promoting Active Aging: Encourage seniors to participate in physical activities and social events to improve their health and well-being.
- Improving Geriatric Healthcare: Invest in healthcare services specifically tailored for the elderly, including preventive care, treatment of chronic diseases, and palliative care.
- Enhancing Legal Protection: Strengthen legal measures to protect the elderly from abuse and neglect, and ensure their rights are upheld.
- Encouraging Lifelong Learning: Provide opportunities for the elderly to learn new skills, which can enhance their self-esteem and mental well-being, and enable them to contribute to society.
- Fostering Intergenerational Solidarity: Promote activities that encourage interaction between the young and the old, fostering mutual respect and understanding. This can help to combat ageism and promote social cohesion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rising elderly population in India necessitates comprehensive Senior Care Reforms. Current policies, while beneficial, need to be augmented with innovative solutions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by seniors. Strengthening the Public-Private Partnership model, channelizing Corporate Social Responsibility funds for elderly care, and promoting digital inclusion are pivotal. Furthermore, fostering active aging, enhancing legal protection, and encouraging lifelong learning can significantly improve the quality of life for the elderly. As India strides towards progress, it is imperative that we ensure an inclusive, respectful, and fulfilling environment for our senior citizens.
Source: PIB
Practice Question
“India is witnessing a significant rise in its elderly population. Discuss the challenges faced by this demographic and evaluate the effectiveness of current policies aimed at senior care. Suggest necessary reforms to address these challenges and enhance the quality of life for the elderly in India.” [250 words]
How to approach this question?
1. Introduction
- Start with a brief introduction about the rising elderly population in India and its implications.
2. Challenges Faced by the Elderly Population
- Discuss the various challenges faced by the elderly population in India. These could include health issues, social inclusion, economic challenges, and digital inclusion.
- Use data and examples to substantiate your points.
3. Evaluation of Current Policies
- Evaluate the current policies aimed at senior care such as Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), Integrated Program for Older Persons (IPOP), Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana, SAMPANN Project, SACRED Portal for Elderly, Elder Line: Toll-Free Number for Elderly, and SAGE (Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine) Initiative.
- Discuss their effectiveness and limitations in addressing the challenges faced by the elderly population.
4. Suggested Reforms
- Suggest necessary reforms to address these challenges and enhance the quality of life for the elderly in India. These could include strengthening the PPP model for senior care, channelizing CSR funds for elderly care, promoting active aging, improving geriatric healthcare, enhancing legal protection, encouraging lifelong learning, fostering intergenerational solidarity, etc.
- Discuss how these reforms could potentially improve the situation for the elderly population in India.
5. Conclusion
- Conclude by emphasizing the importance of addressing the challenges faced by the elderly population and the need for comprehensive and effective policies for senior care in India.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!