Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Executive Summary
First of all Social Security is primarily social insurance program providing
social protection or protections against socially recognized conditions
including Old Age, Poverty, Disability, Unemployment and others. Social
Security may refer to: Social Insurance where people receive benefits or
services in recognition of contributions to an insurance scheme. These
services typically include provision for retirement pensions, disability
insurance, survivor benefits, and unemployment insurance. Income
maintenance—mainly the distribution of cash in the event of interruption of
employment, including retirement, disability and unemployment Services
provided by administrations responsible for social security. In different
countries this may include medical care, aspects of social work and even
industrial relations. More rarely, the term is also used to refer to basic security,
a term roughly equivalent to access to basic necessities—things such as food,
clothing, shelter, education, money, and medical care. Social
Security for Senior citizens means the Social Security act or benefits that
proved to be useful for the betterment of the Senior Citizens. It includes all the
laws and acts that state the policy for Old Age’. They were the ones who were
vested with the authority for decision-making with regard to the economic
affairs and social matter's, both within the family as well as for the community.
The moral sanctions laid down by the community also reinforced the
responsibility of the family to offer a caring environment for the aged
regardless of their productive capacity.
Today in most of the countries the old age people are not treated in a good
manner. Therefore the policy has laid down certain laws and benefits that
helped Old age people survive in their life and fight for the uncertainities that
create hurdles in the long run.
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INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS SOCIAL SECURITY?
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social
protection, or protection against socially recognized conditions, including
poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer
to: Social insurance, where people receive benefits or services in recognition of
contributions to an insurance scheme. These services typically include provision
for retirement pensions, disability insurance, survivor benefits and
unemployment insurance.
More rarely, the term is also used to refer to basic security, a term roughly
equivalent to access to basic necessities—things such as food, clothing, shelter,
education, money, and medical care. Social insurance
Social protection refers to a set of benefits available (or not available) from the
state, market, civil society and households, or through a combination of these
agencies, to the individual/households to reduce multi-dimensional deprivation.
This multi-dimensional deprivation could be affecting less active poor persons
(e.g. the elderly, disabled) and active poor persons (e.g. unemployed).
But, in the context of wide spread informal economy, formal social security
arrangements are almost absent for the vast majority of the working population.
Besides, in developing countries, the state's capacity to reach the vast majority
of the poor people may be limited because of its limited resources. In such a
context, multiple agencies that could provide for social protection is important
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Social Security protects not just the subscriber but also his/her entire family by
giving benefit packages in financial security and health care. Social Security
schemes are designed to guarantee at least long-term sustenance to families
when the earning member retires, dies or suffers a disability. Thus the main
strength of the Social Security system is that it acts as a facilitator - it helps
people to plan their own future through insurance and assistance. The success of
Social Security schemes however requires the active support and involvement
of employees and employers.
India has always had a Joint Family system that took care of the social security
needs of all the members provided it had access/ownership of material assets
like land. In keeping with its cultural traditions, family members and relatives
have always discharged a sense of shared responsibility towards one another.
To the extent that the family has resources to draw upon, this is often the best
relief for the special needs and care required by the aged and those in poor
health.
Social Security Benefits in India are Need-based i.e. the component of social
assistance is more important in the publicly-managed schemes-
The principal social security laws enacted in India are the following:
(i) The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI Act) which
covers factories and establishments with 10 or more employees and provides for
comprehensive medical care to the employees and their families as well as cash
benefits during sickness and maternity, and monthly payments in case of death
or disablement.
(iv) The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (M.B. Act), which provides for 12
weeks wages during maternity as well as paid leave in certain other related
contingencies.
(v) The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (P.G. Act), which provides 15
days wages for each year of service to employees who have worked for five
years or more in establishments having a minimum of 10 workers.
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Separate Provident fund legislation exists for workers employed in Coal Mines
and Tea Plantations in the State of Assam and for seamen.
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Social Security to the workers in the Organized Sector is provided through five
Central Acts, namely, the ESI Act, the EPF & MP Act, the Workmens’
Compensation Act, the Maternity Benefit Act, and the Payment of Gratuity Act.
In addition, there are a large number of welfare funds for certain specified
segments of workers such as beedi workers, cine workers, construction workers
etc.
ii) We do not face the problem of exit rate from the workplace being higher
than the replacement rate. Rather on the contrary lack of employment
opportunities is the key concern,
iii) 92% of the workforce is in the informal sector which is largely unrecorded
and the system of pay roll deduction is difficult to apply.
Even today 1/8th of the world’s older people live in India. The
overwhelming majority of these depend on transfers from their children.
Addressing social security concerns with particular reference to retirement
income for workers within the coverage gap has been exercising policy makers
across the world. In India the coverage gap i.e. workers who do not have access
to any formal scheme for old-age income provisioning constitute about 92% of
the estimated workforce of 400 million people. Hence the global debate and
evaluation of options for closing the coverage gap is of special significance to
India. The gradual breakdown of the family system has only underscored the
urgency to evolve an appropriate policy that would help current participants in
the labour force to build up a minimum retirement income for themselves.
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iv) The coverage gap in India is broadly categorized under the following
groups:
d) Others = 30 million.
___________
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EXTENSION OF COVERAGE
In India currently only about 35 million out of a workforce of 400 million have
access to formal social security in the form of old-age income protection. This
includes private sector workers, civil servants, military personnel and
employees of State Public Sector Undertakings. Out of these 35 million, 26
million workers are members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization.
As such the current publicly managed system in India is more or less entirely
anchored by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. It may be noted that
in the last 50 years, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has been in
existence, there has been no instance of any scam or a situation where the Fund
has been exposed to speculation and risk. Another important contribution of
EPF is now proposed to extend to the critical life benefit of providing shelter.
The Shramik Awas Yojana aims at providing a cost effective Housing Scheme
specific for EPF numbers. This involves cooperation between organizations
such as HUDCO, Housing Agencies, State Governments, Employers and EPF
Members with the EPFO playing the role of facilitator. The investments are
directed into the prescribed securities and portfolios as per the pattern laid down
by the Finance Ministry.
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· Under VPBY, any citizen above 55 years of age, could pay a lump-sum,
and get a monthly pensions are pegged at Rs. 250 and Rs. 2000 per month
respectively. These amounts are not indexed to inflation.
· The difference between the actual yield earned by the LIC under this
scheme and the 9 percent will be made up by the Central Government.
Pension Criteria
Superannuation pension will be payable on attaining the age of 58 years
and on completion of 20 years of service or more. Early pension can be taken at
a reduced rate between 50-58 years of age, on completion of 10 years
Pensionable service or more. No pension for less than 10 years of service lump
sum withdrawal benefit is paid in such cases.
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Senior citizens, also known as the "Golden Agers" are the repositories
of experiences and wisdom in any society. In most traditional societies,
therefore, they have enjoyed unparalleled sense of honour, respect, and
legitimate authority. They were the ones who were vested with the authority for
decision-making with regard to the economic affairs and social matter's, both
within the family as well as for the community. The moral sanctions laid down
by the community also reinforced the responsibility of the family to offer a
caring environment for the aged regardless of their productive capacity (Singh,
1997).
The old and the young are complimentary to one another. An apt
proverb in Male is that "a young man's gait is rapid, but he does not know
the way; an old man's gait is slow but it made the way" (Luthra, 1997).
Undoubtedly, the senior citizens uphold social norms and traditions. They
contribute towards the procreation of common culture and are often the binding
forces, both within the family and in the community. Society, therefore, has
obligations towards the "Golden Agers" both directly and indirectly because in
the prime of their li\ es they have worked relentlessly and have contributed
towards the socio-economic growth of the family, the community, and the
nation. Now in the evenings of their lives, when their capacities have waned,
the society also has an obligation and has the responsibility to look after their
welfare.
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and empowering the aged relatively smooth and easy both for the society and
the Government in India.
Old age has been defined variously in different societies and also cross-
culturally. It is a relative concept and different meanings have been attributed in
different contexts. It is, nevertheless, universally accepted as the last phase of
human life cycle. The timing of this phase, its impact on social roles and
relationships, and the meanings attached to it vary greatly from one society to
another and also in different sub-groups of the concerned society. A complex of
combinations of demographic, economic, and social factors affects
differentiation in this sphere. On the basis of these contextual variations, the
term 'old age' can be defined broadly under three different heads: (1) Physical
ageing; (2) Social and cultural ageing; and (3) Psychological ageing.
Physical Ageing
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Social and cultural ageing are inter-related concepts, but they differ
from one another on the basis of their emphasis. Social ageing emphasises the
changes in behavioural pattern and the role and status of individuals in the
family. In the Indian context for example, the marriage of the eldest son and the
arrival of the daughter-in-law in the household could bring about significant
changes in the role and status of the mothers-in-law who may start considering
themselves as old. The parameters of social ageing also vary in different
societies.
The cultural approach, on the other hand, gives importance to the role of
an individual during his life span. Ageing is regarded as the cultural progression
of an individual through different stages of life. According to the Hindu
tradition the 'Vanaprastha Ashram' is considered to be the onset of old age.
After completion of their adult roles of making a living, setting up of the
household and the rearing of children it enj oined upon people to withdraw from
active life of the society. This view of ageing is very similar to the
'disengagement theory' of ageing propounded by Gumming and Henry (1961)
which advocates for the gradual withdrawal from the roles and duties of the
society. In modern times, retirement from service heralds the onset of old age in
case of the employees of the organised sector. To a larger extent, this concept
continues to influence the collective view of old age. It is often thought of as an
extension of life during which period paid employment or self-engagement is
shortened and eventually lead to total retirement. Indeed, cultural changes have
a direct bearing on the popular view of old age.
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Psychological Ageing
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The problems associated with ageing are primarily related to health, economic
aspects, housing, and leisure time activities, These issues, are often interrelated
and need to be viewed in a holistic manner. As for example, the socio-cultural
conditions coupled with advanced age may exert enormous mental pressures
which could give rise to a variety of manifestation. Escalation in the cost of
medicare often affect inter-personal -.relationships amongst the family.
Similarly, socio-economic conditions unleash a chain of overlapping problems.
The aged especially from the lower income groups often suffer from ill health
and prolonged illness, mainly due to malnutrition, which in turn adds up to
pressures on the economic front (Khan, 1997). It is, therefore, important to
study all the aspects m details with a view to identify the nature of programmes
that may be required to effectively overcome the problems of the elderly
belonging to different socio-economic strata; As far as possible methods should
also be devised to prevent their occurrence and or recurrence.
There are great variations in the ageing processes. These can be classified
as; (i) Primary ageing and (ii) Secondary ageing. Primary ageing also referred to
as Biological ageing, is due to physical changes : in the body system with
advancement in years. Secondary ageing can be further recognised as:
(a)Cognitive ageing which refers to decreasing ability to assimilate new
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-The key factor in healthy ageing is the ability to maintain independent living
for as long as possible. Quality of life of older persons can be improved by
enabling them to remain independent and productive through efficient use of
health and social service.
The phenomenon of large ageing population became one of the most dramatic
and influential developments in the 20th century. This situation has profound
significance for the society in both the “developed” and the “developing”
nations. As per the 1990 world population data sheet published by the
Washington Population Reference Bureau, the estimated population of the
world was 5.3 billion. Of this, about six percent population could be classified
as elderly, that is, those who ere 65 year old and above. This means that
according to the United Nations’ definition of old the population of the world is
at the threshold of entering the old population category. There is, however, a
wide difference in the proportion of the elderly populations to the total
populations in the developing nations. In the developed countries the elderly
comprise about twelve to eighteen percent of the total population, whereas, in
the developing nations they constitute only six to nine percent. The phenomena
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Economic Status
The economic status of older persons perhaps is more varied than that of any
other age group. Resources of the aged and their need patterns undergo a
considerable change because of their diminished participation in productive and
economically gainful work (Soodan, 1975;Khan, 1989). Retirement has several
economic, social, and psychological consequences for the individuals. it not
only means loss of monthly salary, but also loss of work and loss of social
relationships at work; For the middle and lower strata of salary earners who
have no substantial savings or investments, loss of monthly salary would also
mean the beginning of full or partial financial dependence on their children. In
contemporary times, unabated inflationary trends have significantly added to
the problems of the aged by eating into their savings and pensionary benefits.
The plight of the aged in the unorganised sector is even worse. They have
practically little or nothing to fall back upon.\A micro level study of 120 aged
persons spread over 4 villages of the Anthiyur block in Dindigal district in
Tamil Nadu revealed that in addition to health problems economic insecurity
was the major set back. The study clearly brought out that due to absence of any
economic security in old age the aged males especially the labour class
continued to work for earning their livelihood in spite of their physical inability
and mental agony. The study also found high incidence of single member
households among the rural aged women. This indicated distress and
destitution. The respondents were of the view that their children -
sons/daughters should take care of them and strongly expressed their
unwillingness to join the old age homes (Lalitha, 1999). There is little research
available on economic dependency. It is felt that dependency burden may affect
consumption patterns, capital investments, indebtedness, etc. In fact a whole
range of life style may get adversely affected.
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India
There is no plan of action for the right to life for the elderly in our democratic
set-up. The lack of a separate department to focus on the issues of the aged and
their problems seems to be a further insult to the idea of human rights.
There is no plan of action for human right to life for the elderly in our
democratic set up. The elderly population as per the 2001 census is 77 million
which is estimated to rise to 177 million by 2025. Out of 77 million, two-
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thirds live in rural areas and half of them in conditions of poverty. The
population has gone up and the quality of life has deteriorated. In such a
scenario, the lack of a separate department to focus on the issues of the aged
and their problems seems to be a mockery of human rights. Article 41 of the
Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution specifies that the
State shall within the limits of economic capacity, provide for assistance to the
elderly.
In India, the National Policy for Older Persons was launched in 1999 which
provided for comprehensive support for financial security, health care, shelter,
welfare and other needs of the elderly. It sought to provide protection against
abuse and exploitation, make available opportunities for development of the
potential of older persons by enlisting their participation and providing services
to improve their quality of life. However, there was no specific classification of
older persons who were farmers, working in the organised sector or living in
rural areas.
In 2007, a Senior Citizens Act was enacted but it did not cover senior citizens
in the agricultural sector.
There is only one scheme namely the National Old Age Pension Scheme
which provides a meagre Rs400 per pensioner per month (Rs4800 per
annum) to all poor persons aged 65 years and above - an amount that is
dwarfed by ever-increasing prices of essential commodities. The draft plan of
action for farmers also refers to the above scheme of social security for older
farmers. But don't they deserve better treatment than this? The security service
could be on a sharing basis between farmers and the government but it has to be
worth more than the above envisaged amount if we think that they too have the
right to a good quality of life.
We need to recognise the diversity in the lives of the aged in rural agricultural
areas and other areas. This diversity requires diverse policy responses from the
government. We need to focus on old age rural problems and come out with an
effective social security scheme for Indian farmers aged 65 years and above.
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Growing Population:
The population of the elderly persons has been increasing over the years. As per
the UNESCO estimates, the number of the aged(60+) is likely to 590 million in
2005. The figure will double by 2025. By 2025, the world will have more
elderly than young people and cross two billion mark by 2050. In India also, the
population of elder persons has increased form nearly 2 crores in 1951 to 7.2
crores in 2001. In other words about 8% of the total population is above 60
years. The figure will cross 18 % mark by 2025.
International Efforts:
The question of ageing was first debated at the United Nations in 1948 at the
initiative of Argentina. The issue was again raised by Malta in 1969. In 1971
the General Assembly asked the Secretary-General to prepare a comprehensive
report on the elderly and to suggest guideline for the national and international
action. In 1978, Assembly decided to hold a World Conference on the Ageing.
Accordingly, the World Assembly on Ageing was held in Vienna from July 26
to August 6, 1982 wherein an International Plan of Action on Ageing was
adopted. The overall goal of the Plan was to strengthen the ability of individual
countries to deal effectively with the ageing in their population, keeping in mind
the special concerns and needs of the elderly. The Plan attempted to promote
understanding of the social, economic and cultural implications of ageing and of
related humanitarian and developed issues. The International Plan of Action on
Ageing was adopted by the General Assembly in 1982 and the Assembly in
subsequent years called on governments to continue to implement its principles
and recommendations. The Assembly urged the Secretary-General to continue
his efforts to ensure that follow-up action to the Plan is carried out effectively.
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(i) In 1992, the U.N.General Assembly adopted the proclamation to observe the
year 1999 as he International Year of the Older Persons.
(ii) The U.N.General Assembly has declared “Ist October” as the International
Day for the Elderly, later rechristened as the International Day of the Older
Persons.
(iii) The U.N.General Assembly on December 16, 1991 adopted 18 principles
which are organized into 5 clusters, namely-independence, participation, care,
self-fulfillment, and dignity of the older persons.
These principles provide a broad framework for action on ageing. Some of the
Principles are as follows :
(i) Older Persons should have the opportunity to work and determine when to
leave the work force.
(ii) Older Persons should remain integrated in society and participate actively in
the formulation of policies which effect their well-being.
(iii) Older Persons should have access to health care to help them maintain the
optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being.
(iv) Older Persons should be able to pursue opportunities for the full
development of their potential and have access to educational, cultural, spiritual
and recreational resources of society.
(v) Older Persons should be able to live in dignity and security and should be
free from exploitation and mental and physical abuse.
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National Efforts:
(I) Constitutional Protection:
Art. 41 : Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases :
The State shall, within the limits of economic capacity and development, make
effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public
assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in
other cases of undeserved want.
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parents who are financially unable to maintain themselves from any source, are
entitled to seek maintenance under this Act.
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steps :
(i) Setting up of a pension fund for ensuring security for those persons who
have been serving in the unorganized sector,
(ii) Construction of old age homes and day care centers for every 3-4 districts,
(iii) Establishment of resource centers and re-employment bureaus for people
above 60 years,
(iv) Concessional rail/air fares for travel within and between cities, i.e.,30%
discount in train and 50% in Indian Airlines.
(v) Enacting legislation for ensuring compulsory geriatric care in all the public
hospitals.
3. Attempts to sensitise school children to live and work with the elderly.
Setting up of a round the clock help line and discouraging social ostracism of
the older persons are being taken up.
5. The policy also accords high priority to their health care needs.
6. According to Sec.88-B, 88-D and 88-DDB of Income Tax Act there are
discount in tax for the elderly persons.
7. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has also been providing several
scheme for the benefit of aged persons, i.e.,Jeevan Dhara Yojana, Jeevan
Akshay Yojana, Senior Citizen Unit Yojana, Medical Insurance Yojana.
8. Former Prime Minister A.B.Bajpai was also launch ‘Annapurana Yojana’ for
the benefit of aged persons. Under this yojana unattended aged persons are
being given 10 kg food for every month.
The layout of the housing colonies will respond to the needs and life styles of
the elderly so that there is no physical barriers to their mobility; they are allotted
ground floor; and their social interaction with older society members exists.
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Despite all these attempts, there is need to impress upon the elderly about the
need to adjust to the changing circumstances in life and try to live harmoniously
with the younger generation as for as possible.
It may be pointed out that recently the Madurai Bench of the Madras High
Court has ruled that the benefits conferred on a Government employee, who is
disabled during his/her service period, under Section 47 of Persons with
Disabilities(equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act,
1995 cannot be confined only seven types of medical conditions defined as
‘disability’ in the Act. The seven medical conditions are blindness, low vision,
leprosy-cured, hearing impaired, locomotor disability, mental retardation and
mental illness. A Division Bench comprising Justice F.M.Ibrahim and Justice
K.Venkataraman said : “We feel that the court cannot shut its eyes if a person
knocks at its doors claiming relief under the Act. In a welfare State like India,
the benefits of benevolent legislation cannot be denied on the ground of mere
hyper technicalities. It may be noted that this Act is not directly related to aged
person but seven medical conditions which prescribed in this Act are the
common symptom of the aged person.
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Under Clause 5(1) of the Bill, a senior citizen or a parent may apply for
maintenance under Clause 4 of the bill. (A senior citizen is an Indian citizen
who is at least 60 years old. A parent could be father or mother, whether
biological, adoptive or step father or step mother, whether or not the father or
the mother is a senior citizen). If the senior citizen or parent is incapable, any
other person or a voluntary organization authorized by the senior citizen or
parent can apply for maintenance on their behalf. The Tribunal may take
cognizance suo motu (that is, it can act on its own cognizance). These two
provisions are welcome since most senior citizens or parents do not have the
energy (they do not have the money anyway) to apply for maintenance.
The said Tribunal may, when a proceeding regarding monthly allowance for the
maintenance under this section is pending, order such children or relative to pay
a monthly allowance for the interim maintenance of the senior citizen including
parent. The State government is required to constitute within a period of 6
months from the date of commencement of the law (Act), Tribunals for the
purpose of adjudicating and deciding upon the order for maintenance under
Clause 5.
According to Clause 4(1), the senior citizen including parent is entitled to apply
for maintenance under Clause 5 if he is unable to maintain himself from his
own earnings or out of the property owned by him. A parent or grand-parent can
make an application for maintenance against one or more of his children who
are majors (‘children’ includes son, daughter, grandson and grand-daughter).
The obligation of the children to maintain his or her parent extends to the needs
of such parent either father or mother or both, as the case may be, so that such
parent may lead a normal life. A childless senior citizen, on the other hand, can
make an application against his relative ("relative" means any legal heir of the
childless senior citizen who is a major and is in possession of or would inherit
the property after the childless senior citizen’s death; property means property
of any kind, whether movable or immovable, ancestral or self-acquired, tangible
or intangible and includes rights or interests in such property).
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learned law-makers took notice of this inconsistency lest vested interests should
exploit this well-intended provision.
If the senior citizen has transferred by way of gift or otherwise, his property,
subject to the condition that the relative shall provide the basic amenities and
basic physical needs to the senior citizen and such relative refuses or fails to
provide such amenities and physical needs, Clause 23 (1) says the said transfer
of property shall be declared void by the Tribunal, if the senior citizen so
desires. This is a welcome provision since it protects naïve senior citizens from
exploitation by relatives who intend to renege on their promise subsequently.
Obviously, the Bill, in its present form, will meet the needs of only parents and
senior citizens from educated families, propertied classes and the urban areas. It
cannot cater to the needs of parents and senior citizens belonging to the poorer
sections of society or hailing from villages. One may find three generations
living in the same village and at times even under the same roof! If the son is
also indigent, how can he maintain his parent and grand parent? How would the
Tribunal adjudicate such disputes? The son will be only too happy if he is put
behind bars because he is at least assured of two square meals a day!
Understandably, given its limited resources, one cannot expect the government
to do a thorough job here. But it can at least ameliorate the situation. How? It
should allow income tax sops to those who take care of parents / grand-parents /
senior citizens. This is only fair because if tax is collected from citizens, they
should be provided social security by the government when they grow old.
When the government is not able to provide social security, it should at least
encourage the citizens to provide it by allowing income tax sops. After all, a
citizen taking care of his aged parents or senior citizens is providing them social
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security which strictly speaking the government should have provided. Our
government taxes individuals a la the US government but unlike the US
government does not provide social security to all citizens. I have pointed out
this anomaly in my article, “Why Tirupur has raced ahead of Ludhiana?” dated,
Nov 20, 2007. All that the government has to do is rob Peter and pay Paul.
It is also unfortunate that the government has not made any serious attempt to
cover the senior citizens under “Group Health Insurance Scheme”. It believes
that insurance coverage is mostly required in critical illness and at places where
adequately-equipped hospitals are not available (!). Well, for a start, let the
government convince me that AIIMS, New Delhi, is adequately equipped to
treat indigent senior citizens.
The Bill does not cover old age pension perhaps because State governments are
implementing the Old Age Pension Scheme. But the amount of pension and the
eligibility criteria are not uniform across the States, under the said Scheme. The
Bill should have mandated the State governments to pay old age pension to the
senior citizens adequately and uniformly across the country. This should not be
difficult because all that the government has to do is rob Peter and pay Paul. It
has to deny income tax sops to those who do not maintain parents / grand
parents / relatives; it has to deny old age pension to those parents / grand parents
/ relatives who are being maintained by their children / relatives.
Lastly, the government, while drafting Bills, uses the word ‘may’ (instead of the
word ‘shall’) even where provisions of a mandatory nature are involved. What
leads to this howler? Is it ignorance or lack of conviction on the part of the
government?
Note: Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar tabled the
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007 in the Lok
Sabha. The Bill proposes to make it obligatory on the persons who inherit the
property of their aged relatives to maintain them. It also aims to make
provisions for setting up old age homes to take care of indigent older persons. It
aims to set up an appropriate mechanism for need-based maintenance to parents
and senior citizens, better medical facilities and old age homes in every district.
It seeks for institutionalisation of a suitable mechanism for the protection of the
life and property of older persons. Describing ageing as a major challenge and
the need to give more attention to the care and protection of the older person,
the statement of objects and reasons said many older persons, particularly
widowed women, are now forced to spend their twilight years all alone and face
emotional neglect and lack physical and financial support. Though the parents
can claim maintenance under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the
procedure is both time-consuming as well as expensive. Hence, there is need to
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"The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007, which
was introduced in Lok Sabha in March, aims “to provide for more effective
provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens
guaranteed and recognised under the Constitution and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.” While it is difficult to contest the objective of
ensuring a comfortable life for senior citizens, a number of provisions in the
Bill may not be easy to implement.
The Bill neatly sidesteps the directive in the Constitution (Article 41), which
directs the state to provide public assistance in cases of old age. The Bill does
state that, “The state government may establish and maintain such number of
old age homes at accessible places, as it may deem necessary, in a phased
manner, beginning with at least one in each district to accommodate in such
homes a minimum of one hundred fifty senior citizens who are indigent”. Note
the use of “may” instead of “shall” — there is no obligation on the state
governments to establish these. Even without this clause, there was never any
prohibition on them from providing old age homes. Also, one wonders why a
Bill should specify details such as the minimum size of an old age home.
Instead, the Bill places the obligation of maintaining a senior citizen on his or
her children, grandchildren or any legal heirs. The process and amount differs
from the existing provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure (Section 125),
under which a first class magistrate may order a person to provide a monthly
maintenance to his parents (or wife, including divorced wife or children),
limited to Rs 500.
The Bill provides that the children of a senior citizen have the obligation to
maintain a senior citizen to the extent that he “may lead a normal life”. In case
of a childless senior citizen, the obligation is on a relative who is in possession
of the senior citizen’s property or who would inherit his property. The
maximum monthly allowance is to be specified by state governments, subject to
a limit of Rs 10,000.
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Some of the definitions in the Bill are confusing. Senior citizens are defined as
“any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or
above and includes parent whether or not a senior citizen”. This implies that
every parent, including those below sixty years of age, would be considered a
“senior citizen”. Relative “means any legal heir of the childless senior citizen
who is not a minor and is in possession of or would inherit his property after his
death.” How does one determine who would inherit the property? Does this
mean that the senior citizen has to reveal the contents of his will, and does not
have the freedom to change it later? If he is allowed to change his will, consider
the case of the person who is initially named in the will, forced to provide a
maintenance, and who finds on the death of the senior citizen that there is
another will that disinherits him.
Regarding the maintenance tribunal, the Bill states that “the state government
may... constitute for each sub-division one or more tribunals... The tribunal shall
be presided over by an officer not below the rank of sub-divisional officer of a
state”. There are two points to note here. First, the use of “may”, leaving the
state governments the option of not forming such tribunals. Second, the job is
entrusted to the SDO, who has a number of other responsibilities.
To conclude, one is not arguing against the idea of providing a safety net for
senior citizens. The point is that any law that provides for such a net should be
implement able. Other than the various loopholes discussed, the big issue is
whether parents would take their children to the tribunal, given various social
pressures. A better approach may be to design a social security system,
including financial products such as pension schemes and reverse mortgages
that enable the elderly to live a dignified life."
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precedent for such a law, which is the Singaporean Maintenance of Parents Act.
Significantly, that law is backed by governmental programmes of pension,
healthcare and other forms of support for the elderly, which adds weight to
Madhavan's core argument. Hopefully, these issues will be aired during the
Parliamentary debates on this law.
Anonymous said...
This bill has provisions where the chances of misuse are greater than beneficial
use. What if a particular heir or children live out side India or other than the
place where the Senior citizen resides? Will that give the Senior citizen a right
to live with the heir/children? Will the order of Magistrate be implantable in a
foreign jurisdiction to bring him back to fulfill his obligations? What if the
senior citizen is the cause of discord, will that still be the reason to keep that
person with him/her? What happens to parents with daughters only and no son?
Will the law make it compulsory even for the son-in-law to take care of the
senior citizen? How many such senior citizen one shall be responsible to take
care of?
The law is designed simply to avoid the State's responsibility to provide a better
social security system for its citizen and putting the onus on the citizen for such
responsibility while the State and its guardians-the executives and legislators
wish away the hard earned tax payers money in such wishful bills and squander
the same on their own security.
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2. DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION
As per Census 2001, the number of older persons in 2001 was 70.6 million
(6.9%) which was projected to be 83.5 million in 2006 (7.5%). As per the
projections the percentage of older persons will be 94.8 million in 2011 (8.3%),
118 million in 2016, (9.3%) 143.7 million in 2021(10.7%) and 173.1 million in
2026 (12.4%).
The growth of population of the older persons shows upward trend.
The gender position of the elderly reveals that the life expectancy of women is
expected to remain higher. For the period 2006-2010 the life expectancy of
female is 68.1 against 65.8 of males which will rise to 72.3 for female against
69.02 for males during the period 2011-2016. This indicates that the population
of elderly women will account for a larger chunk compared to their male
counterpart in 60+ age bracket. In absolute terms, the projection for male
population in 60 + age group was 35 million in 2001, projected to be 40.7
million in 2006 and 48 million in 2011 as against the female population in same
age group was 36 million in 2001, 42 million in 2006 and 50.2 million in 2011.
From the projected figures for the year 2006-2011 and 2016, 2021 and 2026, it
is also clear that percentage of female population in 70 + age group will
outnumber their male counterpart in the same age group. This accounts for a
larger female population in the overall 60 + age group compared to the male
population in the years to come. Many of women in the 70 + age group would
be either widow or single without any ostensible
support for themselves.
A comparison of rural elderly and the urban establish the fact that around 74.97
per cent of older persons live in rural areas and 25.02 in urban areas. This
involves planning for post retirement socio-economic security through
continued skill up-gradation, employment and participation in other creative
and gainful activities.
With the changing lifestyle of modern society the young generation are
migrating from not only rural to urban area rather one country to another as
well; leading to increase in old age dependency ratio. The old age dependency
ratio (number of old persons 60+ years) to the working age group (15-59 years)
has increased from 9.8 per cent in 1981 toabout 12.6 per cent by the year 2001.
(Census of India,2001)
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The NPOP broadly provides for the following to fulfill these objectives:
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.
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.
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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.
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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
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Annapurna Scheme
Annapurna Scheme covers all the other elderly below poverty line who are not
covered under the NOAPS. A provision of 10 k.gs. of rice or wheat is provided
to the needy elderly. Under the scheme US $ 56 million was incurred and
43,03,491 elderly were covered in tenth plan (2002-07)
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Insurance Coverage
Some of the public sector insurance companies provide life insurance coverage
upto 75 years of age and many private insurance companies have 55 years as
the last entry age. The Insurance Policy Schemes announced for older persons
include Jeevan Dhara (18-65 years), Jeevan Akshay (30-75 years), Jeevan
Suraksha (25-60 years), Senior Citizen Unit Plan (18-54 years). In addition,
Health Insurance Schemes covering Mediclaim Policy and other individual and
Group Mediclaim Policies are also offered by Nationalized as well as
private insurance companies. The government is taking steps to enforce a
uniform policy on all Insurance Companies as regards entry age of Senior
Citizens.
The government has launched a Reverse Mortgage System for senior citizens to
extract value out of their property and lead a hassle free life by securing a
regular income as loan against their existing property.
Health Security
Growing old is also marked by failing health and advancing age may bring with
it enumberable health complications. Restricted physical mobility coupled with
crippled health makes it difficult for older persons to access the health facilities
if they do not enjoy the support of the family or have a care institution within
their easy access. Realizing the real situation wherein the older persons live,
Para 36 of the National Policy envisagescovering of health insurance and
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Many of the Government and public hospitals have started Memory Clinics,
Mental Health Programmes to facilitate proper diagnosis of Dementia to enable
slowing down the process and preparing the care-givers and the family to
manage Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care . The National Institute of Social
Defence under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has initiated
training of care-givers and functionaries as a special initiative on the centenary
of Alzheimer’s .
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2. Agewell Foundation,
New Delhi
00-91-11-29830484
00-91-11-29836486
3. Nightingales Medical
Trust & City Police,
Bangalore
- 1090
4. Dignity Foundation
Delhi Chapter
Mumbai Chapter
Chennai Chapter
Jamshedpur
Chapter
Kolkata Chapter
91-11-29534745
91-22-23898078
91-44-26473165
91-657-2268307
91-33-24741314
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To foster active and productive ageing NISD has initiated a novel programme
for the older people. It aims at imparting computer training to the elderly
people. The success of a few trainings conducted earlier had left no doubt that
older people not only love to learn at the ‘ripe age’ but benefit from it. This
programme is launched with a view to help Older Persons dispel their
inhibitions to adopt to new technology and take advantage of IT
enabled services like e-Ticketing, e-Banking, e-Business etc.
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Inter-Generational Bonding
Bridging the intergenerational gap is another innovative project has been pilot
tested by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment The programme would
be carried out for school children by creating awareness and sensitizing them on
the issue.
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There are a number of specialized NGOs coming up to join hands with the
efforts of the government towards creating an elderly friendly environment in
the country. The Senior Citizen Forums and Welfare Associations have been
formed by the elderly themselves in various localities in Delhi. Senior Citizens
Council, New Delhi has more than 500 members from all walks of life. They
assemble at a Public Park everyday for an hour in the morning to attend
religious discourses. The other activities of the Forum includes yoga, free health
checkup camps, special care of senior citizens who were living alone Helpage
India is dedicated to the service of elderly through various programmes. In
one of the major initiatives in the State of Gujarat it has got 63 Self Help
Groups formed consisting of an overall 1000 elderly women. Servants of People
Society at Chandigarh, a national level NGO, is working for the cause of elderly
and stresses upon the value systems of our tradition.
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While recognizing the need for promoting productive ageing, the policy also
emphasizes the importance of family in providing vital non formal social
security for older persons. To facilitate implementation of the policy, the
participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, State Governments and different
Departments of the Government of India is envisaged with coordinating
responsibility resting with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
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Undertake any other work or activity in the best interest of older persons.
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For, senior citizens and physically challenged if appeals are already pending
with the CIC/SCIC, they should write to the CIC/SCIC about their status.
(b) The Delhi Government runs special clinics for Senior Citizens in most of its
hospitals in Delhi.
(b) The benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 has been extended
to the investments made under 5-Year Post Office Time Deposits Account and
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, with effect from 01.04.2007.
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(5) Banking
(a) Government also gives a higher rate of interest to senior citizens on certain
Savings schemes which it runs through its large network of Post Offices (Senior
Citizens Savings Scheme) and Public sector Banks. For further details you are
advised to contact your nearest Bank or local Post Office.
(b) Some banks like State Bank of India charge only 50% of the applicable
prescribed charges in respect of following services:
(6) Telecommunications
(a) Department of Telecommunications has made special provisions for
senior citizens who apply for a new telephone connection. The department has
earmarked separate priority category for senior citizens wherein they can apply
for registration.
(b) In case of any complaint or fault with the telephone a senior citizen’s
complaint is redressed on a priority basis.
(c) MTNL (Delhi) gives 25% discount in rentals (Tariff Plan-250 only) and
installation to Senior Citizens who are 65 years or above in age. Please submit
proof of age when applying to MTNL for availing this concession. Application
form for a new connection (MTNL Delhi) in senior citizen category is available
here.
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Kindly note that these filled in forms are to be submitted to the MTNL offices
in your city or sanchar haat. In case of any specific query you may also call toll
free MTNL Help line 1500 from any MTNL number.
(e) BSNL: I did not find any scheme with BSNL where concessions were
admissible to senior citizens. I hope BSNL would consider such rebates soon.
(b) There are separate Counters / Queues for Senior Citizens at all Railway
Stations for purchase, booking or cancellation of tickets.
(c) Special arrangements are available for those who find it difficult to walk or
move on their own. Wheel Chairs are available at all major junctions, District
Headquarters and other important Railway stations for the convenience of
Senior citizens and also for those who are in need.
(c) Other Airlines operating in India also offer discounts to senior citizens. It is
advisable to check with them before you plan your travel.
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(b) Some state governments also give concessions (in fare) to senior citizens,
while some also have specially modelled buses for the elderlies.
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New Schemes
Well, the journey towards financial security does not end here. The Central
Government is in the process of developing newer plans and schemes to benefit
senior citizens. In the 2007-08 Budget , the Finance Minister has proposed to
provide monthly income to seniors and develop new health insurance schemes.
These new developments for senior citizens are meant to get them on the path to
a better, peaceful and financially sound life.
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This year Dignity Foundation celebrated the World Elders' Day, 1st October
very differently. We wanted to make every elderly person feel very special and
thank them for being there for us and as a mark of appreciation for the hard
work and their contribution to society, we decided to felicitate every 50+ we
could reach out to.
A "BEST" bus with banners and thanksgiving messages for the 50+ was booked
by us. It plied between Colaba and Andheri with Dignity Foundation staff and
volunteers, wearing Dignity Foundation T-Shirts. The bus made around 13
stops enroute. At every stop all the volunteers and staff got off the bus and
reached out to as many 50+ as possible and crowned them, made them feel
unique. This was a way of "Thanking them for being there for us". It really
touched many of the elderly when we wished them Happy World Elders' Day
and felicitated them. "The Smiles on their faces said it all"
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Most of the respondents during the present survey were not willing to
comment on their expectations from people/society because most of them have
had bitter personal experiences in this regard. Some of them, however, shared
their views and only after a lot of persuasion made a few suggestions. The
general opinion was that the attitudes of the people have completely changed.
The society has become more individualistic, materialistic, and achievement
oriented and the elderly people are left behind in this race. The invasion of
consumerism and foreign media through different television channels has
further deteriorated the situation. They feel that earlier 'the elders of the family
were treated as Gods but now-a-days they are no better than dogs. The offspring
consider their old parents as liabilities. The young ones take good care of them
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only if they possess either some property or hefty bank balances or are an asset
either economically or otherwise, else they are neglected. Regarding the role of
society in helping old people, most of them opined that during the last phase of
their lives, all that is required from the members of their families and the society
is respect, love, and care. If the younger generation can spare half an hour from
their busy schedule in providing company to them and to listen to and share
their problems/experiences, it shall
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Strategy
Under this scheme financial assistance up to 90 per cent of the project cost is
provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care
centres, and mobile medicare units and for providing non institutional services
to older persons.
Intervention strategies:
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strategies needed and the role social workers have in dealing with the problems
of the senior citizens.
Social work focuses on what can and needs to be done with the problem. It
seeks to facilitate the enhancement of a person's or group's ability to cope with
its social and physical environment in pursuit of legitimate goals. Thus social
work is concerned with helping individuals and groups to overcome limitations
or obstacles that come in their way so that they are able to perform their normal
social functions. The central goal of social work has been to enable people to
improve their social functioning, that is, to carry out their social roles m a
manner that is consistent with their capacity. A major focus has been on
assisting persons socially so that they are able to cope with real-life situations
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and overcome conditions that present difficulties. Social work tries to help
individuals, groups, and communities to balance between needs and demands of
the environment. Social work includes wide range of activities. At the micro
level it helps the individual in need through varieties of services as well as
assists in handling of crisis and stressful situations. At the macro level it deals
with evolving/suggesting social action and social reforms. Thus, transformation
of social structure from malfunctioning to normal functioning to optimal
functioning is the objective of social work.
The social workers are concerned with the perception of the problem at the
societal level as well as at the level of an individual. A detailed study of the
"care needs'' of older persons individually on the basis of age group, sex, and
class, therefore, becomes necessary. So also a need to study in details various
chores involved in care giving and the patterns characteristic of domiciliary and
institutional care are required. Similarly, a study of the problems experienced by
the caregivers may help in evolving programmes that may strengthen care-
giving skills. Thus, to deal with various problems of the older persons a special
field of practice developed - the gerontological social work or social work with
the Aged. This branch of Social Work deals with the problems of people' 60
years and above. Gerontological social work also helps younger people to avoid
some of the problems that the aged persons have by taking preventive steps.
Intervention Strategies
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elderly persons with erosion of family support systems calls for evolving
new arrangements for their care.
2. Another significant development has been the improved quality of health
care services, which has increased the life expectancy and people live for
longer years. Geriatric health care services, therefore, need to be
improved further and made freely available.
3. There are greater numbers of older women compared to men. This is also
a new phenomenon. In the past many women used to die in their young
age either from childbirth complications or from the stresses of raising
large families under primitive conditions. Further, women are mostly
dependent on men economically hence in case of their husbands' death
they are faced with financial problems as well. Since many aged women
face longer periods of widowhood, their plight is precarious because of
loneliness and financial and social dependence. The problems of the aged
widowed women, therefore, need special attention.
4. Changes in the family are also important. In the coming generations there
will be fewer children to support their elderly and smaller sized extended
family networks. Families are likely to have more of older members, and
many families will have both older and younger dependants at the same
time. In the 21st Century, it will become common for many older persons
to have few or even no children to care for them in their old age.
5. Smaller families mean fewer children are available to care for their
ageing parents. Moreover, because of increased mobility due to inter- and
intra-country migrations, adult children often cannot live with their old
parents as they used to do in the past.Another socio economic change
especially in urban areas that has reduced tha family capacity for care of
older members in the increase in the number of working women. Since
women were primarily the caretakers of the family in our society, by their
joining the labour force their care taking role has become limited.
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6. Adult children seem to have virtually accepted the fact that three
generations cannot live satisfactorily under one roof especially in small
sized houses or apartments.
7. The economic status of the aged is perhaps more varied than in any
other age group. Older persons are likely to have lesser income though
they have to spend more on basic necessities. This makes them poorer.
Their expenses on health care alone are twice than that of the younger
people. Economic security, therefore, becomes necessary for them.
8. In order to understand the relationship between poverty and ageing it is
important to find out as to which of the sub-groups of elderly are most
likely to live in poverty. Widowed women, particularly those who live
alone, are perhaps the worst affected. Poverty in old age makes housing,
proper nutrition, health care, transport, etc. unaffordable. Traditionally
these needs were being met with within the family. Friends and
neighbours also used to help in emergency situations, and provide
companionship and reassurance. With the emergence of nuclear family
system, however, the traditional support values have collapsed. Formal
social welfare agencies, therefore, have to come forward to take care of
the needs of the aged.
9. Retirement is another social change that affects the needs of ageing
people. Today it is common for the aged to have many more post-
retirement years. The retiree loses a major mechanism whereby his 3atly
routine is disturbed and needs exclusive re-scheduling. One has to
generate occupation for time management and utilisation of self-worth
that was experienced during their professional career. Retirement brings
tremendous change not only for the retiree but also for the whole family
in terms of readjustment on the economic front and in the daily household
routine. In some instances children may also get affected due to increased
leisure-time of the parents.
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Social work has a major role in reaffirming the resilience and power of
older people. Thus within the process of support the strengths of older persons
fifed to be recognised. Different forms of social work interventions should be
based on the problems faced by the aged. Interventions could also be used
positively to enhance the process of individuals' rediscovering a sense of
purpose and identity in later life through forms of practice, such as, personal
biography and life review therapy (Bornat, 1994; Hughes, 1995).
From medical and social work point of view preventive and restorative
environmental measures need to be strengthened. It is .possible to care for
ageing individuals by being alert to their health and survival needs and by
helping them to achieve actual or contrived gains in self-reliance which will
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make their life worth living.Social workers have an obligation to work towards
creating a social climate that will be congenial to both the elderly and the youth
alike
Social work practice has to extend beyond the middle years to cater to the
increasing older population. Its services, therefore, need re-examination and re-
alignment to provide wide range of suitable facilities that could be adaptable,
inter-changeable, and flexibly administered to cater to the needs of the
heterogeneous ageing population. Social workers should be concerned in
determining as to how well the ageing clients themselves make use of the
services available to them. Working with caregivers, many of whom are
themselves not young enough to take care of their elderly independently, also
forms a major task before the social workers. Chances are that stresses
associated with informal care may many a time lead to abuse and/or neglect of
older persons. There is, therefore, a need to assess the stresses and strains that
the caregivers may undergo while caring for the elderly.
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The vulnerability of the elderly themselves, the impact of their problems on the
family and the society, and the comparative lack of knowledge about the needed
social interventions make the ageing population, a prime concern of social work
in all its traditional forms, that is:
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Services Needed
Johnson and Schwartz (1988) suggested a comprehensive ^framework
consisting of four levels of care (see Table 5.1).
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Preventive care services: These are provided before an individual reaches the
aged stage of life. If people prepare for this stage they will be more likely to
identify their needs, develop an understanding of how to meet them and muster
resources for meeting those needs.
Socialisation: These refer to the services required for change in life style after
retirement to cope with the adjustments involved and to develop new,
satisfying, and responsible life style.
Institutional Care: This should be meant for only those who can no longer be
maintained in a community living situation.
This chart can help assess as to which services are available in the community
and those which need to be developed. For example, preventive care and
socialisation can be provided through natural and community systems and these
do not require large government funding and can prevent or postpone need for
expensive supportive and protective care and institutional care.
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oriented, while working with the aged persons it should be process oriented and
must focus on all of the following areas:
II. Employment
V. Legal aid
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family or while they are in the institution can also be handled by counselling.
The social workers should encourage the aged to ventilate their anxieties
relating to death and the last rites and support and reassure them about the
responsibility of the institution towards their funeral rites. Counselling is also
required in the management of investments, tax exemptions, legal aid, and
arrangement for payment of electricity and telephone bills, house tax, and in the
fulfilment of other similar obligations.
Work with Group of Aged Persons: Involvement of the elderly persons in group
situations increase their sense of belonging and togetherness and develop
leadership qualities which get transferred to other situations also and help
increase the level of satisfaction of members. In an institutional set-up they
should be involved in the management of day to day activities of the institution
like, cleanliness of the premises, planning of menus, and celebration of special
activities during cultural and religious festivities. Probably harnessing resources
and skills of the elderly along with the young can prevent them from becoming
a constantly increasing burden on the society.
Occupational Groups: Persons who wish to spend their time fruitfully and are
capable of performing some tasks, that is, they are not physically incapacitated,
work oriented groups can help them preserve their feelings of self worth and
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also help them to be mentally alert and physically dextrous. Activities should be
planned for them in collaboration with such members taking into account their
collective |5as well as individual interests, capabilities, and talents.
Recreational Groups: Such groups are very important because these promote
interaction, bring out various talents which the persons ^themselves may not be
aware of previously, and promote a more cheerful outlook. These are open
groups where members have options |£or attending these at their own
conveniences and sweet will. Activities p: can range from group games, to
musical sessions, to film shows, to ^religious activities, and so on.
Supportive Services: If family systems have to be made more effective for the
care of the aged then those families who are willing to keep their aged members
with them even in multi-problem situations ft, should be helped by providing
monetary help as well as supportive services. Supportive services like providing
visiting nurses who could teach simple nursing care to the relatives under their
supervision. If: Also incentives in terms of tax relief, and other rebates to sons
and I daughters who undertake such responsibilities should be considered to
avoid financial and physical hardships to them.
Foster Care: Social workers need to organise services for those aged persons
who are living alone. Foster care could be explored. Adopt a granny is one such
scheme. Another modified form of foster care is where the older persons who
have accommodation to offer keep young people as paying guests. These young
persons can provide help in household chores and companionship besides
providing
Role of Social Workers: Social workers have a role in the day care centres that
cater to the sociological, economic, and emotional needs of the elderly. Besides
recreational programmes, counselling services, and facilities for periodic health
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check-ups the activities of the centre should also include income generation
programmes for the elderly. Such centres should help the elderly to utilize their
time meaningfully and also preserve their feeling of self worth as well as enable
them to keep in touch with the society in a positive way. Social workers should
mobilise volunteers and train them appropriately so that they could provide
errand services like paying bills, do their shopping, and take care of household
chores for those elderly persons who are unable to move about and are living
alone.
Social Work needs to be more family based which can help provide the
following services to the senior citizens:
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Apart from economic problems the feeling which develops in old age that they
are unwanted is very disheartening for them. Hence one of the ways is to
prepare them to fight for their rights, to chalk out strategies for solving their
problems, and to relieve them from
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CASE STUDY: 1
Shri Moti Singh, 75 years old has studied up to school level only. He has three
married sons, one married daughter and a wife. He stays with one of his married
son’s family along with his wife. The others sons stay separately and do not
have cordial relations with him. He retired from government service but his
pension is insufficient and, therefore, has to depend on his son for financial
support. He suffers from asthma and high blood pressure because of which he is
unable to share any of the household responsibility. He spends his time either
watching Television or attending to religious discourses ad gossiping with the
family members. He feels that the government should provide medical aid and
counseling facilities free of cost. Food and housing to the elderly should be
subsidized because the pension they receive is insufficient to meet their
essentialities. He expects that the society would learn to respect the elders and
would also render help to them in all possible ways.
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CASE STUDY: 2
Smt. Chander Wati is 60 years old widow and is illiterate. She has two sons.
One of them has studied up to 9th class and the other one is illiterate. Both
the sons are married but only the older one along with his family lives with
her. The younger son work outside Delhi and, therefore lives separately.
She is in receipt of old age pension from the Department of Social Welfare,
Government of NCT of Delhi and is happy that both her sons and their
wives as well as the grandchildren give her proper respect and she is
regularly consulted in various family matters. They stay in a rented house.
The old age pension she gets is meager with which she can not meet even
her medical and rental expenses. She opined that the old age pension
should be periodically revised keeping in view the rising cost. She feels that
the government should open up more Day Care Centers instead o old age
homes. The older persons prefer to stay with their families but would avail
of the facilities provided at the Day Care Centers. To facilitate the visits to
the Day Care Centers either these should be located near their residences
or free/subsidized transport should be provided. Medical and library
facilities could be provided through mobile services.
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Conclusion:
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Websites:
www.wikipedia.com
www.google.com
www.scribd.com
www.investmentyogi.com/forums
www.india.gov.in
www.ilo.org/public
www.wordpress.com
www.globalaging.com
www.legalserviceindia.com
www.dadadadi.com.org
Book By – Sneh Lata Tandon. : Senior citizens – Perspective for the New
Millennium.
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