Syllabus: GS1/ Society, GS2/ Governance
Context
- India’s senior citizen population is projected to surge to around 230 million by 2036, making up about 15% of the total population.
Elderly Population in India
- 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.
- Furthermore, the overall dependency ratio is 62 dependents per 100 working-age individuals, highlighting the increasing socio-economic implications of population ageing in India.
- Southern states, along with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, have higher elderly populations, with regional disparities expected to widen by 2036.
Challenges Faced by Elderly Population
- Health: Stigmatised mental health conditions (dementia, Alzheimer’s), rising disabilities, inadequate geriatric infrastructure, Urban-rural divide in access to medical services.
- Economic: Insufficient social security provisions, rise of living and medical expenses, limited financial resources.
- Social: Weakening family support systems, social isolation, neglect, lack of companionship etc.
- Digital divide: Technology adoption barriers, lack of training and accessible devices.
- Infrastructure: Inadequate literacy, emergency response system overlooking elderly as vulnerable group.
- Public spaces and transport in India is largely not elderly-friendly since ramps, handrails and accessible washrooms are missing in many areas.
Government Initiatives for Elderly in India
- 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.
- 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.
- Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) Portal: Promotes start-ups and innovation in elderly care services, encouraging the growth of the silver economy.
- 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.
- 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.
Way Ahead
- Promote Digital Literacy for Seniors: Launch targeted training programmes through community centres, NGOs, and Panchayati Raj Institutions to familiarise elderly citizens with smartphones, telemedicine, and digital banking platforms.
- Strengthen Tech Infrastructure in Rural Areas: Expand internet connectivity and affordable digital devices to bridge the rural-urban divide in accessing telehealth and online services.
- Encourage Innovation in the Silver Economy: Support start-ups and enterprises developing assistive technologies, AI-based health monitoring tools, and user-friendly applications tailored for elderly needs.
- Integrate Technology with Public Health Systems: Link wearable health devices and telemedicine services with existing government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and NPHCE for continuous and preventive care.
- Ensure Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: Develop elderly-specific data protection protocols to safeguard sensitive medical and financial information from cyber threats.
Source: PIB
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