Vulnerable Sections: Old Age

Vulnerable Sections: Old Age

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind it, it doesn't matter"

Vulnerable Sections 

1. Child
2. Old Age
3. Transgender
4. Person with disability

Old Age 

• Statistics
• Challenges faced by the old populations
• Government efforts 
• Maintenance & Welfare of parents and senior age act
• Government Schemes
• Integrated program for older population
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (राष्ट्रीय वयोश्री योजना)
• IGNOAPS (Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme)
• Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana
• PM Vaya Vandana Yojana
• Vayoshreshtha Samman
• Way forward

Elderly Population of India 

Statistics 

• According to the census 2011, 8.6% of population is old age.
• It will increase to 16% by 2041 and 20% by 2050.
• Ruralisation of old age - 70% (i.e., 70% of the old age are living in rural areas).
• Feminisation of old age - 1033/1000 (i.e., the number of old women per 1000 old men is high).
• In India, there also exists regional variation with respect to old age with Kerala having the largest percentage of old age population, i.e., 12.6% of the population.
• The percentage of old age population increase by 35.6% during 2001 to 2011.
• Old age dependency ration has increased from 10.9% in 1961 to 14.2% in 2011.

Premise - Ministry of Health & Family Welfare declared the current decade (2020-2030) as the 'Decade of healthy aging'.

Healthy Aging - Healthy aging refers to the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well being in older age.

It is about having capabilities that enables all people to be & do what they have reason to value.

For example - Decision making, Mobility, Basic needs, etc.

It includes all physical and mental capacities of an individual and would enable the nation to reap the benefits of longevity dividend.

The concept of healthy aging replaced the focus from 'Active Aging' to 'Healthy Aging'.

Active Aging - It refers to optimising the opportunities for health, participation and security to improve the quality of life of the older population.

Longevity dividend - The economic growth potential created due to the increase in life expectancy is known as longevity dividend.

Challenges faced by old population 

1. Failing health - Aging is synonymous with declining health. It is further complicated due to lack of 4A'Q with respect to health infrastructure.
2. Economic insecurity - Absence of assured and sufficient income to support themselves for health care and social security.
3. Isolation and Neglect - Due to disintegration of joint family, the old population are left in isolation and neglected. It will also lead to -
• Change in value system and lifestyle.
• No longer considered as source of wisdom.
• Isolation and neglect of old age can also be a result of dual career family.
4. Rapid changing world - Old population find it hard to adapt with the lifestyle changes brought due to globalisation, technological development, urbanisation, migration, etc.
5. Ageism - It is the prejudiced attitude with respect to old people.
6. Abuse - they are subjected to physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse.
7. Ageism Stereotypes - Stereotyping, prejudices, discrimination towards the people on the basis of their age refers to Ageism Stereotype.
• Ageism affects people of all ages but has particularly deleterious effects on the health and well being of older people.
• This marginalises older people within their own communities, reduces their access to services including health and social care.
8. Lack of preparedness - In India, there is no formal awareness programs for the people to prepare for old age. It sets in quietly and suddenly.

Way forward 

1. Age friendly environment - Remove social and physical barriers.
2. Promote health, build physical and mental capacity of the old population.
3. Promote geriatric care (Specialised old age care).
4. Mainstream the concerns of senior citizens.
5. Promote income security, old age pension, housing, etc.
6. Recognise elders as a productive asset no a liability.
7. Promote care at an individual level within the family and the institutional care should be the last resort.
8. Introduce/enhance legislation to promote equality and non-discrimination on the basis of age in provision of health, insurance, service, social protection policies, etc.
9. Attitudinal change for global impact on ageism.
• For example - Global campaign to combat ageism
10. Encourage employment opportunity of senior citizens through
1. Self employment
2. SHGs and Cooperatives
3. Counselling agents
4. Recruitment in think tanks
5. Multi-generational care homes, etc.

For example - SACRED Portal and SAGE Portal for providing employment opportunity for senior citizens.

SACRED Portal for Elderly 

• SACRED stands for Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity.
• It is developed by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is first of its kind which provides an online platform to the elders seeking job opportunity.

Click here to know more about SACRED Portal 

Note - The above link will lead you to the Article published by Drishti IAS (not by me).

SAGE Portal 

• SAGE stands for Senior Aging Growth Engine.
• It is an initiative launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• This portal will be a 'One stop access' of elderly care products and services by credible startups.

Click here to know more about SAGE Portal 

Note - The above link will lead you to the Article published by Drishti IAS (not by me).

Elder line - 

• It was launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It was the first pan India toll-free helpline number for senior citizen (14567).

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Age Act, 2007 

It was passed in 2007 to enable senior citizens abandoned by their children to claim maintenance. This act also mandate the establishment of at least one old age home in every districts.

Provisions of the Act 

1. State government shall constitute tribunals to adjudicate and decide upon the maintenance.
2. The act identifies the children as Son, Daughter, Grandson and Granddaughter.
• The proposed bill will expand the definition of children and it will include Stepchild, Child-in-law and Legal guardians of the minor child.
3. The act identifies the parents as Father and Mother either biological, adoptive or Step.
• The proposed bill will include the Parents-in-law and Grandparents also.
4. The act identifies the relative as the any legal heir of the childless senior citizen (not a minor) can inherit the property.
• The proposed bill will also include the minor represented by their legal guardians.
5. The act made it mandatory to provide maintenance for food, clothing, residence and medical treatment.
• The proposed bill will also include safety, security and healthcare also.
6. The act made the upper limit of maintenance of upto ₹10,000.
• The proposed bill will remove the limit.
7. Appeal - Any parent/senior citizen within 60 days can appeal to appellate authority.
• In proposed there is a provision that the children and relative can also made appeal.
8. It made the time limit of 30 days (of announcement of order) for the deposit of maintenance amount.
• The proposed bill has the time limit of 15 days.

It made it a criminal offence under Section 125 of CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) for not providing them maintenance if they are unable to sustain themselves.

Government Schemes 

Integrated program for older population 

• Aim: To improve the quality of life of older people by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, etc.
• It is under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is a central sector scheme.
• Financial assistance is provided to NGOs and Panchayati Raj Institutions for the projects like old age homes.

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana 

• Aim: To provide physical aid and assisted living devices for senior citizen belonging to Below Poverty Line. (BPL).
• It is under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is a central sector scheme.
• It is implemented by ALIMCO (Artificial limbs manufacturing corporation), a PSU.
• It was funded from Senior citizens welfare fund, established under 'Finance Act 2015' for the promotion of welfare of senior citizens in line with the National policy for older persons.

IGNOAPS 

• It stands for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Person Scheme.
• Aim: To provide financial assistance to the person above the age of 60 years belonging to BPL.
• It is a sub-component of NSAP (National Social Assistance Program).
• It is under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme (core of the core scheme).
• There was a demand to hike the assistance amount from ₹200 to ₹800 for person above 60 years of age and from ₹500 to ₹1200 for the person above the age of 80 years.
• It was implemented to give effect to Article 41 of the DPSP (Public Assistance in case of unemployment, old age, disability, etc).

Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 

• Aim: To provide assured pension based on guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for 10 years.
• Option: To opt for pension on monthly, quarterly, half yearly or on annual basis.
• It was administered by LIC.
• The pension payment is done through ECS (Electronic Clearing Service) or NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) only.

PM Vaya Vandana Yojana 

• It was a simplified version of the above scheme.
• It was also implemented through LIC.
• It was for the senior citizen with assured 8% per annum return for 10 years.
• The amount was exempted from GST and any other taxes.
• There was an investment limit of ₹15 lakh.
• The minimum pension through this yojana is ₹1000/month and the maximum pension is ₹10,000/month.

Vayoshreshtha Samman 

• The scheme of awards was instituted by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is upgraded to the status of national award.
• All presented as celebration of international day for older person on October 01.
• It is awarded to 
• Institutions (working for the cause of older persons).
• Eminent Senior citizens in recognition of their services.
• Individual from any part of the country.

Previous Article - Vulnerable Section: Child 

Next Article - Vulnerable Sections: Transgenders

Notes on other subjects 

Ancient History

Medieval History

Modern History

Art & Culture

Polity

Geography

International Relations

Society

Optional Subject 

Public Administration

Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

Hope! It will help you to achieve your dream of getting selected in Civil Services Examination 👍