Senior Citizens
- As per the Census figures of 2011, the population of senior citizens (60 + age) in India is 10.38 crore i.e., 8.6% of the total population. The share of elderly persons increased from 5.6% in 1961 the proportion has increased to 8.6% in 2011.
Challenges faced by Senior Citizens
- Morbidity and disabilities: According to UNFPA, 75% of them suffer from chronic disease, 40% have disability and 20% have issues related to mental health.
- Poverty: Major proportion of the elderly women were poorer; received the lowest income per person; had the greatest percentage of primary level education.
- Disintegration of traditional joint families: With the emerging prevalence of nuclear families the elderly are likely to be exposed to emotional, physical and financial insecurity.
- Lack of Social Support: The elderly in India are much more vulnerable because of the less government spending on the social security system. The elderly in urban areas rely primarily on hired domestic help to meet their basic needs.
- Lack of physical infrastructure: It is a major deterrent to providing comfort to the aged. Many elderly citizens need better access to physical infrastructure, both in their own homes and in public spaces.
Welfare Schemes
- Integrated programme for senior citizens: To improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities.
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: It provides Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category. Till Jan 2019, 77 distribution camps have been organised benefitting 70939 senior citizens belonging to BPL Category.
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme: Scheme provides social assistance for the old age persons.
- Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana: It will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly / quarterly / half yearly and annual basis.
- National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly: To provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality longterm, comprehensive and dedicated care services to an Ageing population.
- The National Policy on Senior Citizens, 2011: Envisages state support for financial and food security, health care, shelter and protection against exploitation.
- National Awards for Senior Citizens – Vayoshreshtha Samman: To recognize the efforts made by eminent senior citizens and Institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens.
- National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC): It was constituted in 1999 under the Chairpersonship of the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment to oversee implementation of the Policy and advise the Government in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for the aged.