The vulnerabilities of India’s elderly

 The vulnerabilities of India’s elderly

From social and financial independence to ensuring an active life course, we need to focus on preparatory measures for India’s ageing population

सामाजिक और वित्तीय स्वतंत्रता से लेकर सक्रिय जीवन सुनिश्चित करने तक, हमें भारत की वृद्ध होती आबादी के लिए तैयारी संबंधी उपायों पर ध्यान केंद्रित करने की आवश्यकता है।

In Indian conditions ,four vulnerabilities of later ages 

1 they face in life are in terms of 

• restrictions in activities of daily living, 
• multi-morbidity, 
• poverty 
• absence of any income. 

2 On these counts, the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI, 2017-18) reports that about 20% of the elderly population experience each of these vulnerabilities. 

The remedy requires

a multi-pronged approach involving the principles of inclusion and adoption of social security measures. 

Viewing these vulnerabilities as a life course phenomenon, promotion of life preparatory measures has to be put in place; this need not be limited to financial or economic independence per se but also means to ensure healthy active and productive years.

The projected magnitude of the elderly population is estimated 

at 319 million by mid-century, growing by around 3% a year. 

This group will be feminine with a sex ratio of 1,065 females per thousand males; 

further, 54% of elderly women will be widows.

 While 6% of the elderly men live alone against 9% of their female counterparts, 70% of them are to be found in rural areas. 

The most disturbing feature relates to the health status

 1 a quarter of the elderly as against about 20% among the population aged 45 and above. 

2 While 75% of the elderly population are victims of one or more chronic diseases, 40% of those aged 45 and above have one or the other disability.

3  With the advent of the global burden of disease, it is apparent that the two threatening forces are diabetes and cancer which appear to be frequent among India’s elderly.

सबसे परेशान करने वाली बात यह है कि स्वास्थ्य की स्थिति खराब बताई गई है, जो कि 45 वर्ष और उससे अधिक आयु की आबादी के लगभग 20% के मुकाबले एक चौथाई बुजुर्गों की खराब है।

 जबकि 75% बुजुर्ग आबादी एक या अधिक पुरानी बीमारियों के शिकार हैं, 45 वर्ष और उससे अधिक आयु के 40% लोग किसी न किसी विकलांगता से पीड़ित हैं। वैश्विक स्तर पर बीमारियों के बढ़ते बोझ के साथ, यह स्पष्ट है कि दो खतरनाक ताकतें मधुमेह और कैंसर हैं, जो भारत के बुजुर्गों में अक्सर पाई जाती हैं।

4 Also, the emerging concern relates to 

mental health with 20% of those aged above 45 self-reporting some ailment, primarily associated with depression; 

this is reasonably higher compared with the self-reported extent among the elderly.

5 There also appears to be food insecurity among India’s elderly 

where 6% of those above 45 years of age eat smaller portions or skipped meals and 5.3% of them did not eat despite being hungry. 

 very little awareness regarding the welfare provisioning. 

Hardly 12% are aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and 28% are aware of various concessions offered to the elderly.

way of future 

1 there are few expectations from life among India’s elderly and their vulnerabilities make them victims of varied forms of abuse in the hands of family, community and society at large. 

2 While 5% of them report abuse, they are quite frequent, particularly for women in rural areas where they remain the most neglected. 

3 A movement towards creating social agency -

for this vulnerable group is the need of the hour. Innovative forms of institutions can be brought in place to alter their valuation from liability to an asset. 

There needs to be a focus on ensuring an active life course for the future elderly.

source the hindu