Dedicated Senior Citizens Welfare Keralam
Source: The Hindu
GS I: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
Overview
- News in Brief
- Context for India
- Schemes for the elderly population in India
Why in the News?
In Kerala, ageing and social transformation challenges, such as issues of isolation and poor mental health of the elderly, are also overshadowed by the staggering burden of chronic multimorbidities among the aged.
News in Brief
- The decision taken at the first Cabinet meeting of the new UDF government in Keralam to set up a separate Department for Senior Citizens’ Welfare.
- Has been hailed as timely for a State where 18.7% of the population is already above 60 years, compared to the national average of around 11-12%.
- Keralam is ageing faster than any other State and by 2036, the figure is projected to cross 22%.
Context for India
Ageing Population in India
- India’s senior citizen population is projected to surge to around 230 million by 2036, making up about 15% of the total population.
- Women constitute a larger share of the elderly population due to higher life expectancy, leading to the feminisation of ageing.
- The sex ratio among the elderly stands at 1,065 females per 1,000 males, with women accounting for 58% of the elderly population, out of which 54% are widows.
- Southern states, along with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, have higher elderly populations, with regional disparities expected to widen by 2036.
Challenges
- Elderly citizens are highly vulnerable to non-communicable diseases such as, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer etc.
- Multimorbidity refers to the presence of two or more chronic diseases in the same individual.
- Elderly individuals suffering from multiple diseases face;
- Frequent hospitalisation, high treatment costs, reduced quality of life and increased dependency on caregivers.
- Social Isolation: Rapid urbanisation and migration have weakened traditional joint family systems in India.
- Many elderly citizens experience loneliness, depression, anxiety and emotional neglect.
- Inadequate Geriatric Healthcare Infrastructure: India has fewer than 1,000 certified geriatricians for a senior population exceeding 150 million.
- Healthcare systems remain more focused on curative care rather than elderly-friendly preventive and supportive care.
- Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities often face shortages of medicines, assistive devices, rehabilitation equipment, medical consumables etc.
- High Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditure: Continuous medication and repeated hospitalisation creates financial burdens for families caring for elderly members.
Schemes for the elderly population in India
- Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY
- It Extends ₹5 lakh annual health coverage
- To around 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above, across 4.5 crore families.
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)
- Launched in 2017 to distribute assistive living devices (hearing aids, walking sticks, wheelchairs, etc.) to BPL senior citizens or those with income below ₹15,000/month.
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
- Launched in 2015 to ensure old-age income security for unorganised sector workers.
- It provides a guaranteed monthly pension (₹1,000–₹5,000) post-60 years.
- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
- Makes it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance to their parents.
- Mandates state governments to establish old-age homes and ensure senior welfare services.
- Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) Portal
- Promotes start-ups and innovation in elderly care services, encouraging the growth of the silver economy.
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