SENIOR CITIZENS IN INDIA-THEIR PROBLEMS & RELIEF.

Constitutional Provisions for Elder Persons:
Well-being of older persons has been mandated in the Constitution of India. Article 41, a Directive Principle of State Policy, has directed that the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right of public assistance in cases of old age. There are other provisions too, which direct the State to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Right to equality has been guaranteed by the Constitution as a Fundamental Right. These provisions apply equally to older persons.
Social security has been made the concurrent responsibility of the Central and State Governments. The Senior Citizen Act is special Act and has overriding power to other related acts. As per this Act, State Governments are required to constitute the Tribunal which adjudicates the maintenance proceedings exclusively.
2The Population of Elderly persons in India is 76 million, of which Elderly Male is 37,768,327,(that is 7.1% of Total population) and Elderly Female is 38,853,994,( that 7.8% of total population). The Registrar General of India has projected that population of senior citizens in this country would increase to over 17 crore by 2026, which is around 12 per cent of total population, . A report by the ‘United Nations Population Fund found that ’ the number of people over 60 years in India will increase from around 100 million today (approx.) to more than 324 million by 2050. It has further warned the government to prepare for the additional strain this will put on families and health and welfare services. It also predicted the number of people over 80 years will increase sevenfold. Officials said they were particularly concerned about the impact on elderly women, who will outnumber men, and be more vulnerable in Indian society. India has the second largest aged population the world. About 75% of persons of the age 60 and above reside in rural areas, & 90% of them have to continue to work if they have to survive. 55 million elderly sleep on an empty stomach every night. 1 out 8 elderly feel no one cares them whether they exist or not. 12 million people in India are blind 70 - 80% of these are elderly 62.6 % are blind due to cataract.
Within the next five years, the number of adults aged people above 65 will outnumber children under the age of 5. It is estimated that by year 2015, nearly 7 lakh elderly in India will die of coronary Heart Diseases. No research has been conducted in our country in depth about the health and their conditions as they advance in age. Dr. V Mohini Giri has submitted final draft of 'National policy on senior citizens-2011' to the Ministry of social justice and Empowerment of GOI. In the year 1999, The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) launched a National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP). Its main features are as follows: Old Age Pension Scheme, Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens, Make PDS to reach older people, Subsidy in health care, geriatrics care, mental health services, counselling facilities, sanction of Grants / land grant at concessional rates to NGOs and private hospitals to provide economical and specialized care for the older person, Assistance for construction/ maintenance of Old-Age Home, Day Care Centers, Multi service Citizens Centre, outreach services, supply of disability related aids and appliances etc., setting up a welfare fund for older persons etc
3. LONELINESS: A Study shows that after retirement, urban retirees tend to withdraw from regular activities other than household chores. This cuts off links with the outside world and in these days of nuclear families, they soon begin to experience isolation and loneliness. Additionally, there are problems of shrinking incomes during post-retirement, consequently reduced consumption, lack of assistance in performing outdoor chores, lack of peer group companionship, avenues for intellectual stimulation, and most importantly the loneliness of old age. If not corrected in time, such situations can often lead to depression and serious medical problems among the elderly. According to a report: 2 million elderly people face living alone without any help from relatives within 20 years. What measures should be taken by the Government and What is the duty of general public who have responsibility to take care Elders..???
4. Elders Abuse, Harassment/ill-treatment: Present people of this country have made it a habit to treat elders with discard, with disrespect, and are humiliated/harassed, ill treated daily by their grown up children. 'Elders abuses' are very commonly found in India in the form of: a)physical abuse, b) Emotional/Psychological abuse, c) Financial / material Exploitation, d) neglect, f) Abandonment on the roads/asylum, & g) self neglect.. According to a rough estimate, nearly 40 % of older people living with their families are reportedly facing abuse of one kind or another, but only 1 in 6 cases actually comes to light (Ref:HelpAge India website). Sometimes they are thrown out of their houses or made a refuge in their own house. The Elders also have a right to live life to the fullest. It is well known fact that there are no specific laws is in India against Elders abuse, as on date.
5. Crimes towards Elders: Lonely Sr.citizens and old couples are soft target for criminals. On many occasions they are even murdered for gain. They are looted easily on the way from ATM or banks. Adequate importance have not been attached to such crimes and such cases are filed as one among hundreds. Police should conduct door to door enumeration of old people in their jurisdiction, by Policemen and keep statistics of these people and petrol these places periodically to prevent possible crime taking place.
6. Disinterest and Ignoring Ailments of Elders by caretakers: Senior citizens discarded, ignored, and no action are taken to save them and remove their problems without delay by their caretakers. This causes serious situation. Elders are ignored in all places by all people, be it their own people or outsiders. Elders suffer with chronic ailments throughout their lifetime without any proper treatment, and they have no time to fight with it. They are not independent and they have to depend on others on all matters. People, near and dear, do not show affectionate attitude.
7. HEALTH PROBLEMS.
Our Elders have a right to healthy living. Psychological health is as important as physical health. An older patient has to be treated differently by healthcare professionals as compared to younger individuals. India being the “Capital of Diabetic” most of the Elders are diabetic. Most of ailments that appear to Elders, stay with them as CHRONIC ailments.
* Some more common health conditions in Elders include: heart diseases, type-2 diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary ailments, mental health like, dementia, depression. Ortho problems like arthritis, Osteoporosis, neuropathy problems, Cancer, prostate problems, Delivery problems in ladies, endocrine problems, Glaucoma, Diabetic retinopathy, Diabetic Foot, etc, and the list is endless. Though these diseases are slowly engulfing the Elderly population, they are still unaware. Most common problem is Cataract which always ends in surgery.
* Certain types of cancer occur exclusively in the elderly population. These have to be treated carefully, making sure that the treatment does not have a detrimental effect on the health of the patient
* Most of the Elders have been affected with Diabetics and this brings along with it, very many chronic ailments like, heart diseases, coronary diseases, eye retina ailment, Glaucoma, Tinnitus of ear, teeth problems, digestive disorders, liver and kidney problems, prostate problems, ortho problems like osteoporosis, endocrine problems, foot problems, (like Gangrene) which are grave.
* Older individuals often have to be treated with multiple medications to address their concomitant medical problems. These medications may interfere with each other resulting in a decreased or increased effect.
* With age, the liver and kidney function are getting affected, thereby slowing down the disposal of medications from the body.
* Elders often suffer from dementia; it is difficult to expect them to treat themselves adequately. In addition, they may also suffer from physical disabilities like problems with vision and reduced mobility. Thus, they often require a full time caregiver.
*Geriatric medicine is a branch of medicine that specifically deals with health problems of older adults. Unfortunately, there are very few health personnels/Specialists, qualified/ trained to specifically treat elderly individuals.
*ELDERS frequently suffer from complications and have to be hospitalized. The’ Society of Hospital Medicine’ has to develop a research agenda that could improve the treatment of the elderly population who are hospitalized. The agenda to cover several unanswered questions that concern the hospitalization of the elderly from the broad groups of advanced care planning, care transitions, medications and models of care, physical function, surgery, and training. The research agenda can be used by researchers to improve geriatric care during hospitalization, to close the current knowledge gaps in their treatment requirements and to thereby improve the quality of care in the elderly.
8. Need for ‘Geriatric Fall Physio Centers’:
No advancement seem to have done in respect of Elders' health condition, development of Geriatric departments in government hospitals, treatomg Elders mental health, and other socio economical problems at least to bring them to the forelight . Dr V.S.Natarajan, a well known father of Geriatric Care said that there is a need for geriatric ‘fall care physiotherapy centres’ in the country where the social setup of the country places the entire burden on the caregiver, and "What we see today is unhealthy ageing,". He added, that over the time, though geriatric and medical intervention have managed to push Elderly people up to 85, but are afflicted by disease and disability."
9. Elders’ Dependency:
"Disability at old age leads to utter dependency and to recovery from falls is a long and laborious process. In such cases, ‘In-Home Health Care Service’ need to be made available easily to elderly patients as well as family member who can afford the expenses. Getting back from a health problem can be a difficult time for both of the patient and also the patient's family members. The tension is worsened when Elders are declared aspermanently disable. The family discard such patients from caring. In spite of these, recovering of elders’ in their own home is the greatest option for the individual's mental and physical health. Research has shown that recovering in elders’ own home is much better for a patient's mental and physical health. One may be confidant when selecting his own home for “Health care service provider”. For this Govt., must stipulate rules for credentials of deputing organisations, caregivers’ qualifications, specification of transparent charging issues, absolutely clarity about what services elder is receiving. The Govt., must provide cheap services.This would generate jobs and also reduce the burden of Government.
10. Sr.citizens Pensioners’ blues:
Post-retirement life is too scary areas which any middle-class Elders would find perplexing. The Government of India should eliminate this. Sr.citizens/pensioners sector is an unorganized sector of society and nobody comes forward to form a Forum or a Union or a common platform to protect their rights, voice/ventilate their grievances, and get redressal for them. This Forum naturally includes " Women Sr.citizens" who are ill fated. In view of the above, the Government need to form a SINGLE FORUM /platform for entire nation called "SENIOR CITIZENS' WELFARE FORUM.
11. Unmasking Sr.citizens Privacy :–As Sr.citizens are totally dependent on others, there is no privacy that could be practiced by Elders. Total dependency deprives them on their control over their financial manipulation to suit their needs.
12. DUE RESPECT, DIGNITY, COMFORT FOR ELDERS:
Just like west countries, in India also should give due respect, due consideration, and due comforts to Elders in public places. In bus/ train travel, hotels, banks and Govt., offices and institutions,etc, facilities should be made for ailing/infirm senior citizens just like physically handicapped citizens. As a matter of fact Senior citizens should be brought under "PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED" category and all benefits given to Physical challenged persons should also be extended to Sr.citizens
13. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS OF ELDERS: Their income in any form are looted by wards. The caretakers (wards or others) always want the Elders to remain in financial wanting so that they will be under their control and leave their property to them under pressure. They take away terminal benefits, Pensions PPOs, other paltry income they get out of rent etc, and make them dependent.
14. Banks and Sr.citizens:- P.S.Banks are not friendly towards Senior citizens and physically challenged Elders. Even if Private Banks want to do some help, they are prevented by RBI rules. Elders’ hard earned money and deposited in banks sincerely are looted by bank rules in the form of unnecessary charges (which are not less than 30 unnecessary charges) that all the banks levy irrespective whether they are Elders or normal person.rules. Senior citizens have certain peculiar problems which young generation or middle age people are NOT having. They are 1).their signature in cheques are inconsistence, 2).frequent corrections made in the instruments, 3) Bank loans to Sr.citizens negatived due to their age/Health condition and bank formalities and rules. When new cheque books are asked they are charged, 4) Old people generally unable to wait in the long queues due to Hypoglycemia , Ortho (knee pain) problems, urinary problems, etc. Special priority to Sr.citizens should be given in all banks, 5) Elderly customers are not in a position to handle/operate modern machines like ATM machines/cheque deposit/money deposit machines easily and when they seek the help of a third person many times they are duped. Hence recognition of Thumb impression method needs to be introduced. Further if Sr.citizens customers makes request for conventional method of withdrawal/ deposit of money as well as making SB entries instantly should NOT be rejected, 6)The present Interest for S.Bs and FDs in respect of Elders who deposit their hard earned life savings are given paltry interest, (0.50% extra than for normal persons) . The present % over general customers is pittance and will not save helpless old aged customers’ life sustenance. The interest must be hiked for SB account to + 1% and for F.Ds to +2.5%, irrespective whether the duration is 1 year or more as the life span of old aged persons are uncertain/ as the no. of old age customers are far and few in banks this could be implemented.
15. It is a relishing aspect that in order to address the problems of the older persons, in 1999, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) had launched a National policy on older persons (NPOP). The main features are:
\ta)Old Age pension scheme
\tb)Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens.
\tc)Make PDS to reach all older people
\td)Subsidy in Healthcare, geriatrics care, mental health services, counselling facilities.
\tf)Grants, Land grants at concessional rates to NGOs and private hospitals to provide economical and specialised care for the older person.
\tg)Earmarking 10% of the houses in hosing schemes and easy access to loans.
\ti)Layout of housing colonies to be sensitive to the needs of the older persons.
\tj)Quick disposal of cases of property-transfer, mutations, property-tax etc.
\tk)Assistance for Old-Age Home, Day care Centres, Multi-Service Citizens Centre, outreach services, supply of disability related aids and appliances, etc.
\tl)Setting up of welfare fund for older persons:
*It is quite heartening to see the GOI sincerely documented a “Reference Note” (No.27/RN/ Ref./2013) for the Use of Members of Parliament, with Title “Senior Citizens: Problems and Welfare”. It is not known how best this Report was used and discussed at both houses of Parliament so far. A Human Right project has also brought out a Research Book called ” Population, Aging and Health In India” during July,2006, which is also available for interested persons. In June,2011, the GOI has brought out a research analysis titled as “Situation Analysis of Elderly India” Thus we have so many research reports & papers.
WHAT SENIOR CITIZENS OF INDIA EXPECT FROM GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
1.In each year One week must be declared as "Elders Week" and awareness regarding the problems of the elders should made to younger generations, who are hitherto unaware of them, and thus creating Change of Attitude IN THE MINDS OF YOUNGSTERS as well as CONFIDENCE in the Minds of Elders. Poor Elders should be honoured in each Taluk .One ‘Sr.citizens Forum’ should be opened in each Taluk and such awareness activities to be programmed. They must collect details for issue of I.D.cards by Govt,of India, based on Aadhar card.
2. A separate portal for Sr.citizens. A separate portal need to be opened exclusively for "Senior Citizens-their problems and solutions” where in the elders or their well wishers, could ventilate their owes and problems practical difficulties, request solution, or counselling for their ultimate decisions of suicide etc.
3. The ‘Rights of Senior Citizens and Pensioners, Bill” to be reintroduced afresh with elaborate manner so as to secure the right to life and personal liberty, right to live dignified life in the community, right to live in his home, protection from abuse, violence, and exploitation. In short, the basic rights enjoyed by the younger generation men and women, should not be denied to the Elderly community.
4. PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE BY VOLUNTEERS.
Lonely old couples some items of work cannot be done by themselves and require help of young people. Many old people are ready to pay some charges, if any Voluntary institutions send reliable volunteers, for doing odd jobs or escorting old people to banks, shops etc it would be helpful. In times of emergency, any voluntary organisations must be able to send their volunteers to old people home even at odd hours to take them to hospital. Volunteer service need to be encouraged to help elderly is required in this country.
5. LATEST TECHNOLOGY: The internet technology should be made friendlier to Sr.citizens as is done for physically challenged person, eg.blind, ortho problem etc.
6. NATIONAL I.D.CARD: The Elders/Sr.citizens need ALL INDIA recognised ID cards issued by GOI.This ID card will be a SMART CARD, issued based on Aadhar card No., and all basic details like age, Residential address, Date of Birth, Mobile No., Blood Group, present chronic ailments, Medicines taken for those ailments, The Individual must downloaded form & submit them along with two Photos, and Aadhaar Xerox as proof. These details could be computer codified along with relevant Aadhar details. This ID card must entitle the Elders to buy Medicines at discount from Pharmacists, Insurance, house hold items, buy life saving drugs, medicines for Chronic Illness, concessions in bus/train/Air fare, in hospitals/clinics, wellness centres, hotels, in banks,etc. Voluntary Centres could also be opened to assist the elders to fill, and send forms to GOI. Thiese ID cards can be in the model of Dignity Foundation, HelpAge India, etc
7. “HANDICAPPED" : Most of the Sr.citizens are handicapped in one way or other and dependent on others, just like Physically Challenged persons. Therefore Sr.citizens should be provided with all the benefits given to Physically Challenged Persons. As escort is essential, in buses, trains etc, concession to Sr.citizens should be 40% of fare and for escort is 75% of fare to be levied in buses and trains in all states. P.S.Banks situated Ist floor or higher floors should have life facility. In all public Queues sr.citizens should be given preference. Members of circle sr.citizens) may also suggest some other inconveniences they face. Escorts to be allowed at concessional rates.
8. National Old Age Pension Scheme,
9. Removal of Income Tax (total exemption) for 65 years and above Elders, and 60 years & above physically disabled Elders which is a must.
10. Generic medicines should be made available to Elders, and hospitals, private doctors should be instructed to prescribe them after consulting the patients..
10. PDS to reach with ease, to all Sr.citizens without discrimination (option) ..
11. .Subsidy in health care, geriatrics care, mental health services, counselling facilities, Auxiliary nursing facility, concessional Physio therapy, (a moderate cost or free of cost)
12. Admission in Old age homes at concession rate.
There should be uniformity of concessions for Sr.citizens, throughout India,without any decimation of state, area, community, religion, etc., and the burden should not be shifted to State Governments, as such things are not successful so far.
We pity street dogs, old age cows, etc., and other animals in danger, and enact laws to protect them. But the present old generation of our country, do not pity their own parents who have brought them up to this level. Point at Issue is who will be the whistleblower? The Govt., alone can do this as a Caretaker of Elders. When no one wants to be ‘whistle blower’ for changing the present pathetic situation, , the present Mr.Modi ‘s Government alone could take up sincere steps in solving the problems. THE ELDERS WANT THAT , ’LET THERE NOT BE SHADOW BENEATH THE GLOWING LAMP’. more