Before we look into the condition and the acceptance, let’s look at who all are considered as Old Age Citizens – Citizens who have crossed the age of 60 years are described variously as ‘senior citizens, ‘elderly’, and ‘aged’. 

This is the age at which most people retire from the workforce. Even as per the Income Tax Act, people at or above the age of 60 are considered ‘senior citizens’ and thus can avail of various benefits. These individuals are the ones who have laid out the foundation based on which we currently thrive, however, they are often faced with abuse or are abandoned.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 2021 report, the population share of senior citizens will increase from 8% in 2015 to 19% in 2050 and it is expected that by the end of the century, senior citizens will constitute nearly 34% of the total population of the country. While the overall population of India will have grown by about 40% between 2006 and 2050, the elderly population will have grown by 270%.

This aging phenomenon is all set to replace the ‘youth bulge’ that India is currently experiencing with an ‘aging society. As per the report, “the relatively young India of today will turn into a rapidly aging society in coming decades.” How much are we prepared to make India an elderly-friendly country? Or for that matter to accept the senior citizen service in our own families?

The phenomenon of population aging is becoming a major concern for policymakers all over the world, both in developed and developing countries. Our country too is not immune to this demographic change. The joint family system has been prevalent for a long time in India and the children cared for their aged parents.

However, in recent times, there has been a change in the family structure and the traditional joint family system is on the decline. Industrialization, urbanization, and migration of the population have brought the concept of the nuclear family, as a result of which a section of the family, primarily the elders, are confronting the problems of financial and physical support.

A 2015-16 All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation (AISCCON) survey shows that 60% of elderly people living with their families face abuse and harassment, 66% are either ‘very poor’ or below the poverty line, and 39% have been either abandoned or live alone. Thus, there is a need to take care of older adults, with a focus on social and mental well-being, economic and social security, and elder abuse.

Considering all these factors there seems to be a need to understand the experiences of older adults to adopt effective mechanisms by which they will be cared for and respected and will be able to live a life with dignity. This has led to the emergence of elder care or old-age homes in India.

The Government of India took steps by enacting the ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act’ (MWPSCA) in 2007. The MWPSCA makes it mandatory for legal heirs (child/ relative) to provide care to their older parents or relatives after they attained the age of 60 years or above.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) prepared the ‘National Policy for Senior Citizens’ in 2011, which states that “institutional care should be seen as the last resort” for senior citizens. In furtherance of this policy, the MoSJE implements the ‘Integrated Programme for Old Persons’ (IPOP), which provides support for the establishment and maintenance of OldAge Homes, day-care centers, mobile medical units, regional resource & training centers, and the formation of senior citizen associations.

The States are expected to establish and maintain ‘Old-Age Homes’ for the care of senior citizens, with at least one old-age home for 150 persons to be provided in every district. However, the demand for Old-Age Homes is not evenly spread across the States/UTs due to different socio-economic conditions. 

People are hesitant to get help from outside, but it is the sole responsibility of other family members to provide a peaceful environment and life for the elders in their homes.  If you are someone or know someone who might need elderly care in India– SAMARTH is here for you. We understand that Indian senior citizens are not open to the westernized ideas of elder care in India, but we know how to change that. Contact us today and choose the perfect plan for your loved ones, and provide them a good life!