Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Old Age In India
Older Population
Given the tend of population aging in the country, the older population faces a number of problems and adjusts to them in varying degrees. These problems range from absence of ensured and sufficient income to support themselves and their dependents to ill health, absence of social security, loss of social role and recogination and to the non-availablity of opportunities for creative use of free time. The needs and problems of the elderly vary significantly according to their age, socio- economic status, health,living status and other such background charcterstics.As people live longer and into much advanced age (say75 years and over),they need more intensive and long term care, which in turn may in crease financial stress in the family.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
FAMILY SUPPORT FOR THE AGED
At any age, the family provides the individual the emotional, social, and economic support (Soldo and Agree, 1988). The ability of the aged persons to cope with the changes in health, income,social activities, etc..at the older ages, depends to a great extent on the support the person gets from his/ her family members. This support, it may be said, is more culturally based rather than development dependent. For instance, in India, the cultural values emphasize that the elderly members of the family be treated with honor and respect. In order to examine what the situation is in practice the data collected from 4 villages in Dharwad taluk of Dharwad district in Karnataka
State of India, are analyzed and the results are presented in this and sub-sequent sections of the paper. (See Wadakannavar, 1992 ).
There were 669 households in the study area, with an average size of 5.8 persons per household. The majority of the households had a size of (3 - 5) persons (41%). Veerashaivas (also called Lingayats) - a socially better off community in India, formed the largest section of the society (47% of the population) in the study area. The main occupation of four-fifths of
households was agriculture. About a quarter of households did not own any agriculture land, while only one-sixth of the households owned 10 acres or more of agricultural land. Among the population in this area, 46% was literate, with 60% literates among males and 31% literates among females.
In the study villages, 253 aged persons (defined as persons aged 60 years and above) were identified. Among these, 211 aged persons : 118 males and 93 females were succe
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
The Elder Age
“One who always serves and respects the elderly is always blessed with four things- long life, wisdom, fame and power.” These are excerpts from the Manusmriti, the earliest metrical work of India.
Indian tradition never considered the problem of aging as a burden but instead, the value based here had learnt and always taught to respect the elders of direct and indirect relations. The women of the house were given the primary responsibility of caring for the elders and responding to their needs although everyone played their part as well.
But today, it does seem that the generations have long forgotten this remarkable tradition of treating elders with respect and kindness. In reality however, there is a need to consider the change in lifestyle which was inevitable with changing times. The women now had to consider their own aspirations to better their lives and their families so; the duty of caring for the elders was to be shared by every member of the family.
The generation gap however, left no time for the elderly to accept this paradigm shift.
Challenges faced by the elderly
7.6% of India‟s 1.2 billion strong populations are above the age of 60. As we sang the birthday song for the 7 billionth baby of the world, we also note the increased stress on the elderly.
* In today‟s society we find the trend of „grand dumping‟ especially in the urban parts of India where the urban rich elderly are dumped in old age homes and are told to fend for themselves. Estimates also suggest that 40% of those living with children face abuse of some kind of the other.
* Economically, India has progressed in securing savings for the aged with banks providing greater interests for senior citizens. With the popularization of the nuclear family mantra, however, the elder elements have been pushed to part with their savings for the benefit of these families rather than for their own personal use.
* Moreover, it is often seen that the more vulnerable of the elders – like the disabled, suffer the most.
Youth Responsibilities
The youth apart from being sensitized to the difficulties and needs of the elderly, needs to understand that it is their duty to be empathetic.
* Actively participate in forums for the benefit of the elderly
* Charity begins at home, so we should first look at our home condition and serve our own grandparents better before even thinking of caring for strangers
* A smile can go a long way. It is the facial expression of respect and humility that would be recognized by the elders as the first sign of love.
* Keep a respectful distance. In our enthusiasm we may outdo our care which at times maybe irritating to them. We should not allow them to feel helpless, for them, their sense of individuality is the greatest of pleasures and honor.
Indian tradition never considered the problem of aging as a burden but instead, the value based here had learnt and always taught to respect the elders of direct and indirect relations. The women of the house were given the primary responsibility of caring for the elders and responding to their needs although everyone played their part as well.
But today, it does seem that the generations have long forgotten this remarkable tradition of treating elders with respect and kindness. In reality however, there is a need to consider the change in lifestyle which was inevitable with changing times. The women now had to consider their own aspirations to better their lives and their families so; the duty of caring for the elders was to be shared by every member of the family.
The generation gap however, left no time for the elderly to accept this paradigm shift.
Challenges faced by the elderly
7.6% of India‟s 1.2 billion strong populations are above the age of 60. As we sang the birthday song for the 7 billionth baby of the world, we also note the increased stress on the elderly.
* In today‟s society we find the trend of „grand dumping‟ especially in the urban parts of India where the urban rich elderly are dumped in old age homes and are told to fend for themselves. Estimates also suggest that 40% of those living with children face abuse of some kind of the other.
* Economically, India has progressed in securing savings for the aged with banks providing greater interests for senior citizens. With the popularization of the nuclear family mantra, however, the elder elements have been pushed to part with their savings for the benefit of these families rather than for their own personal use.
* Moreover, it is often seen that the more vulnerable of the elders – like the disabled, suffer the most.
Youth Responsibilities
The youth apart from being sensitized to the difficulties and needs of the elderly, needs to understand that it is their duty to be empathetic.
* Actively participate in forums for the benefit of the elderly
* Charity begins at home, so we should first look at our home condition and serve our own grandparents better before even thinking of caring for strangers
* A smile can go a long way. It is the facial expression of respect and humility that would be recognized by the elders as the first sign of love.
* Keep a respectful distance. In our enthusiasm we may outdo our care which at times maybe irritating to them. We should not allow them to feel helpless, for them, their sense of individuality is the greatest of pleasures and honor.
STEPS BY THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT
1. NATIONAL POLICY ON OLDER PERSONS(NPOP)
.1 Government of India announced the National Policy on Older Persons in 1999 to reaffirm its commitment to ensure the well-being of the older persons in a holistic manner.Reiterating the mandate enshrined in Article 41 of the Constitution of India, the Policy has
brought the concern for older persons on top of the National Agenda. The NPOP while promising to safeguard their interest in terms of financial security, health, legal, social and psychological security, also envisages a productive partnership with them in the process of
development by creating opportunities for their gainful engagement and employment. The Policy also appreciates special needs of older persons and therefore lays emphasis on empowerment of community as well as individuals to adequately meet the challenges of the process of ageing.
.2 The NPOP broadly provides for the following to fulfill these objectives:
1.Financial security through coverage under Old Age Pension Scheme for poor and destitute older persons, better returns on earnings/savings of Government/Quasi-Government employees’ savings in Provident Fund, etc., creating opportunities for continued education/skill up-gradation ensuring thereby continued employment/selfemployment and income generation and provision for Pension Scheme for selfemployed, employees of the non-formal, and non-governmental sector.
4.2.2. Health Security: The NPOP recognizes special health needs of the older persons to be met through strengthening and reorienting the public health services at Primary Health Care level, creation of health facilities through non-profit organization like trust/charity, etc., and implementing health insurance.
4.2.3. Recognizing Shelter as basic human need, the NPOP provides for earmarking 10 percent of the houses/housing sites in urban as well as rural areas for older persons belonging to the lower income groups, special consideration to the older persons falling in the category of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and destitute in housing schemes like Indira Awas Yojana, loans at reasonable interest rates and easy repayment installments with tax relief for purchase of houses etc.
4.2.4. Education/information needs of older persons too have got adequately reflected in the National Policy. Education/information material relevant to the lives of older persons should be developed and made available through mass media. Education,training and information being the important human requirement, the NPOP provides for proactive role in ensuring the same by disseminating knowledge about preparation of Old Age. It is also emphasized for schools to have programme on inter-generational
bonding.
4.2.5. Welfare and Institutional Care: Institutional Care has been provided for in the NPOP as the last resort. The care in non-institutional set up i.e. within family and the community needs to be strengthened and encouraged. This apart, the State should also create infrastructure in partnership with voluntary organizations to provide for poor,destitute and neglected older persons whose care cannot be ensured within the family.This is to be ensured through Old Age Homes and other such institutional facilities that would be needed. Voluntary efforts needs to be encouraged for creating facilities for day care, outreach services, multi-service citizen centres, etc.
4.2.6. Protection of Life and Property of Older Persons: The State has to gear up security network to save older persons from criminal offence and police is required to keep friendly vigil. Early settlement of property/inheritance disputes is to be done, safeguards to protect them from fraudulent dealings in transfer of property through sale/’Will’ are to be put in place and free legal aid and toll free helpline services are to be placed across the country. Maintenance of elderly within family resorting to the provisions of law viz. Criminal Procedure Code, (Cr.P.C.) 1973, Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act. (HAMA) 1956 etc., whenever needed is required to be ensured.
4.2.7. Training of Human Resource to care for Older Persons: The Policy lays
emphasis on need for trained personnel/care givers. This envisages the training of human resource in the areas like specialization in Geriatrics in medical courses, special courses on Geriatric Care in nursing training, training of social workers specially for geriatric care and professional caregivers.
4.2.8 Media: The Policy enjoins upon media to take up a special responsibility for the care of older persons. Media is to play a role in identifying emerging issues and areas of action, dispelling stereo-types and negative images about the old age,maintaining restraint from creating fear psychosis by responsible reporting, promoting intergenerational bonds and informing individuals/families/groups with appropriate information on ageing process
Economic Security Schemes for Elderly
The traditional norms and values of Indian society laid stress on showing respect and providing care for the elderly. Consequently, the older members of the family were normally taken care of in the family itself. The family, commonly the joint family type, and social networks provided an appropriate environment in which the elderly spent their lives. The advent of modernization, industrialization, urbanization, occupational differentiation, education, and growth of individual philosophy have eroded the traditional values that vested authority with elderly. . Unlike in the western countries, where there is dominant negative effect of modernization and urbanization of family, the situation in the developing countries like India is in favour of continuing the family as a unit for performing various activities .In spite of several economic and social problems, the younger generation generally looks after their elderly relatives. Though the young generation takes care of their elders in traditional societies, it is their living conditions and the quality of care, which widely differs from society to society.
Government under standardized economic security policy is covering retirement benefits for those in the organized sector, economic security benefits for those in the unorganised sector and old age pension for rural elderly.
As per the National Policy on Aging (1999), one-third of the elderly population (1993-94) is below the poverty line and about one-third are above it, but belonging to poverty line. NOAP scheme (National Old Age Pension Scheme) which is initiated by the Central Government provides for a pension of Rs.75/- per month to the old people living in the conditions of destitution. Most vulnerable sections of Indian society like, women, and lower caste individuals have been benefited from this scheme.
Help Age India (NGO)
HelpAge reaches out to the underprivileged elderly through its various services in the areas of financial, health and emotional security.
HelpAge is slowly moving from welfare to integrated age care services for the elderly in urban & rural areas. Expanding its scope of services quantitatively as well as qualitatively. In the recent past new services have been started such as Elder Helplines.
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