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Senior Citizens: Problems and Challenges
Introduction
Government of India adopted ‘’National Policy on Older Persons‟ in January, 1999. The policy
defines ‘’senior citizen or ‘elderly’ as a person who is of age 60 years or above. Due to increased
life expectancy, a significant feature of demographic change is progressive increase in the
number of elderly persons. The senior citizen population of the country is now approximately
10.5 Crore in number, constituting about 8.4 percent of total population (with over 1crore aged
above 80). The corresponding figures in 1991 and 2001 were 5.67 crore and 7.2 crore
respectively. The figure is expected to grow further in future. Today, India is home to one out of
every 10 senior citizens of the world. The aging of populations is one of the glaring
consequences of demographic transition. Our general attitude towards senior citizens in India is sad to
the point being almost hilarious. It’s amusing on how persons stay detached and take a distant view of our
seniors as if it’s a phase that they will never reach. Therefore, their problems are worth discussing, so
that minds can be applied in search of cost effective and efficient alternatives to face the
associated challenges.
Problems of Senior Citizens
With growing age, older persons experience various anatomical and physiological changes. These
changes bring many physical, psychological, behavioral and attitudinal changes in them that give rise
to socio-economic problems. Specifically, senior citizens broadly face major problems such as
loneliness, abuse, health care, income, housing and transport, security etc. These problems are
interlinked or inter- dependent. For example, a financially secure senior citizen may arrange
better health care. Even with state-of-mind dysfunctions, financial capacity can buy options to
rejuvenate and refresh a financially-capable senior citizen. A poor senior citizen in the same state
of mental degradation cannot afford to do the same; and more so, be back into the mainstream of
society. Loneliness affects health, while good health helps counter loneliness. Brief comments on
the problems of the aged in the light of the findings from various studies are made below.
1. Loneliness: Rapid urbanization, competitive lifestyle, growing aspirations and an insatiable
desire to get ahead, all of these are impacting our lives without realizing the social cost. An
emotional and psychological problem tormenting the elders is loneliness. This is due to the
growing “empty nest syndrome”. The children go away to far-off places/countries in search of
economic betterment. Even if they live within the country, due to the social transformation and
spread of new ideas such as “spacing, privacy, individualism and non-interference,” the nuclear
families are becoming the norm even in villages. Love marriages have further aggravated the
breakup of the joint family system. Even within joint families, the elders feel lonely owing to the
denial of due respect, concern and care by youngsters. The problem today is that you don’t have
the time since your have to cope with work. The wife is busy trying to cope with work at office
or at home. The children are busy at school and later trying to cope up with homework and then
with video games on mobile and TV. So where does this leave your parents or grandparents?
What do they do? Where do they go? Who do they speak to?
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The younger generation generally lacks intergenerational bonding and sensitivity towards elders'
need for emotional support. In the cities, neighbourhood friendships are becoming rare and
relatives and friends are busy with their own lives. Visits become rare and phone calls
occasional. In spite of the efforts to engage themselves fully, when they are left alone without
any human contact day after day, week after week, the senior citizens become depressed,
especially when they recollect their productive past and their sacrifices for the family and
compare them with the degraded situation which they are pushed into. They also get depressed
with the burden of single-handedly managing matters related to food, medical care, household
work, security, finance, transportation, servants and repairs in a country like India where the
support facilities are highly inadequate. There are also growing incidents of attack on elders
when they rely on strangers for certain services.
The problem of loneliness may be countered by elders joining senior citizen homes. But in India,
these homes are not run satisfactorily. Private homes are run on profit motive and have hostel
like restrictions and the free ones are run in a deplorable manner — hence these are the last
option. Another alternative is to join senior citizens' forums/associations, so that their
psychological need for social networking to fight loneliness is met. In India, most of these are yet
to mature to meet the needs and demands of senior citizens of different hues. Another peculiar
feature of the Indian senior citizen forums is low participation of women members. The ‘living
alone' elders try to spend time on hobbies- tourism, worship, walking, reading ,writing,
television, telephone, computer, music, theatre, gardening, pets, community service etc. to keep
themselves engaged.
Lunch or dinner in a centrally-located place, a picnic to a nearby place, a cultural event, a visit to
a senior citizens' home or the geriatric ward in a hospital to talk to the patients, awareness
programmes on health, safety and security, the use of pets for assistance, investment priorities,
insurance facilities, legal matters and preparation of will, a book circulation programme etc can
add variety and utility to the Senior Citizen Forums. The compatibles among them can become
close friends and this friendship can get extended to the family level too. Thus, the lonely seniors
can gain family friends and effective social networking as the final result. Such friends turn into
supporting groups and help each other. This model is worth emulating by the senior citizen
forums in India.
Young men, wake up and be more sensitive to the elders around , be it at home or in the
neighborhood or in a public place. Remember, it’s your turn next!
2. Elder Abuse: Elder abuse is usually defined as any ill treatment to an older person. It refers to
“infliction of physical, emotional, psychological or financial harm on an older adult”. Elder abuse is
on the rise in India. Findings of a survey conducted by NGO Help Age India on a sample of 1200
senior citizens across 12 cities in 8 states of the country indicated the following( Source: TOI
June 15,2014).
i) While in 2013, 23 percent of elders experienced abuse by their son and daughter-in-law, the
figure has gone up to 50 percent in 2014.
ii) The percentage of daughter-in-law being the prime abuser has gone up from 39 percent in
2013 to 61 percent in 2014.
iii) 51 percent of those surveyed said they were subjected to verbal abuse which is most
distressing.
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iv) 61 percent of senior citizens accuse their bahus of being abusive. Next in the line is the son
with 59 percent being abusers of their parents.
v) 65 percent elderly females and 57 percent elderly males identified their daughter-in-law as
their tormentor; while 60 percent elderly males and 58 percent elderly females pointed a finger at
their son.
vi) Of the total 1200 surveyed, 77 percent were found to be living with their families and more
than 60 percent were owners of house.
Seniors generally lose their independence because of advanced age and a general weakness and
frailty – requiring intervention and support from other people. Out of every 10 elderly couples in
India, more than 3 are forced by their children to leave their homes. Their property being
forcefully taken over by over ambitious children. Many of them suffer in silence as they fear
humiliation or are too scared to speak up. A phenomenon of grand dumping is becoming
common in urban areas these days as children are being increasingly intolerant of their parents’
health problems, the parents who live for their children and do every possible thing for their
progress and well being. Although Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act,
2007 is available as a legal remedy, yet situation is grim for elderly people in India.
3. Income and Savings: Economic problems are very basic to all the other problems faced by the
aged. With superannuation, a person has to retire from the service, which not only results in loss of
employment and social status but also a substantial reduction in his income level. Majority of the
elderly face serious financial problems, which make older persons economically insecure. Many
people start their senior years with a significant amount of savings and investments and others
not so much. Those who have little in savings and investments are particularly vulnerable to
unexpected costs that may arise. But there is also a problem for those who have been successful
in setting aside some extra money. Along the way to becoming older at age 85 or age 90or age
95, a number of expenditures have eaten into savings and investments- unseen high medical bills,
or a major repair to the home that was not anticipated. In today's modern society, we often see
the children coming back and asking for financial help or moving in because they have no
money. Perhaps the savings and investment returns that were anticipated didn't materialize and
the accounts did not grow to keep pace with inflation.
Possessing sustainable financial capacity before, during, and after the inception of a senior status
is both a basic problem and an elusive dream for most people. This financial dilemma is common
among senior citizens who are usually relegated to an abject position of economic inactivity.
Lack or absence of financial capacity creates a stressful life and invites the entry of problems
other than physical and mental health issues. For instance, domestic problems in an extended
family system can aggravate the problem of a financially-reduced senior citizen. Should any of
the children be wallowing in a similar state of poverty, the senior citizen becomes physically and
mentally loaded up with intense and continuing pressure out of being totally helpless to come to
the financial rescue of a grieving son or daughter. While it may not be the panacea to aging-
related problems, the value of money cannot be overstated in the post-retirement period
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4. Health: Stability of physical and mental health is a key concern that senior citizens have to
contend with as they go through their twilight years. The human body is a system that wears out
with long and repetitive use; and quite easily, with neglect and abuse. Aging is a life-cycle stage
where the human capacity to think, act, relate, and learn starts to falter and deteriorate. There are
critical dysfunctions that could sideline a senior citizen to a lonely and miserable life.
While a clean and discreet lifestyle in his or her prime could reduce the susceptibility of a senior
citizen to dreaded post-retirement illnesses, the onset of any dysfunction is one unpredictable
happening even if the person might have had robust financial health. A worsening of health for a
senior – especially a senior of advanced age – will typically trigger the need for intervention and
the need for making some serious decisions about living arrangements, costs, government and
family support.
The severity and importance of both health and financial problems is a function of the milestones
the senior citizen had set up preparatory to facing the challenge of post-retirement. These
milestones are: i) Quality: what lifestyle had been lived in the past ii) Quantity: what
endowments and financial fortune had been built iii) Relationships: what community of people
the senior citizen had moved about and is attached with.
5. Housing and Transport: Housing for the aged should be suitable not only to the living pattern
which they have established in optimum health, but also to conditions of failing health and
illness, commonly associated with later years of life such as, failing eye sight or hearing, slowing
and unsureness of step, diminishing energy and more acute disabilities, such as blindness,
forgetfulness etc. On this pattern, the housing available to a majority of the senior citizens may
be found inappropriate and unsuitable to their requirement. The sizeable populations of older
widows as well as the older males have been facing the problem of “where to live peacefully”.
Elderly also face problems in transportation in terms of self driving and also public transport
regarding distance, inadequate ingress, timing, steps vs ramps, scheduling, fragmented services
etc. by those who can not afford hiring auto services at door step.
5. Vulnerability to Financial Exploitation and Security: As one grows older, there is a
tendency to be more trusting and thus more vulnerable to financial exploitation. Many seniors
will hire service providers to help them with their maintenance, repair or remodeling needs.
Unscrupulous maintenance or repair providers sometimes take advantage of seniors by providing
services that are unnecessary and these people often charge more for those services. Senior
citizens are easy targets of financial scams, theft and robbery. It is crucial for family and friends
to become aware of this tendency for financial exploitation and to develop a plan to protect
senior loved ones from it.
Government Support
1. Concessions and Facilities:
Many government and private hospitals provide concessions to the older persons in the treatment
of the diseases like cardiac problems, diabetes, kidney problems, blood pressure, joint problems
and eye problems. There is also a condition for separate queuing of reservations for hospital
beds.
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Indian railways give 40% concessions in the ticket prices to all the persons aged 60 years and
above. There are also conditions of lower berth for older persons and also separate counters for
booking and canceling tickets to avoid rushes at the counters. Indian airlines provide 50%
concessions in its economy class, (T & C apply).
The Indian government gives higher rates of interest to its senior citizens on certain savings
plans run by post offices and banks.
Income Tax exemptions are provided to the senior citizens by the Ministry of Finance. Some
other facilities provided by the Ministry are as under: tax exemption for Senior Citizens of 60
years and above up to Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum. Income tax exemption for Senior Citizens of 80
years and above up to Rs. 5.0 lakh per annum. Deduction of Rs 30,000 under Section 80D is
allowed to an individual who pays medical insurance premium for his/ her parent or parents, who
is a senior citizen. An individual is eligible for a deduction of the amount spent or Rs 80,000,
whichever is less for medical treatment of a dependent senior citizen.
2. Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)
An Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) is being implemented since 1992 with the
objective of improving the quality of life of senior citizens. Under the Scheme, financial
assistance up to 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining
old age homes, day care centres and mobile Medicare units.
3. National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP)
The National Policy on Older Persons was announced by the Government in January 1999 which
envisages State support to ensure financial and food security, health care, shelter and other needs
of older persons to improve the quality of their lives.
4. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was enacted in December
2007 to ensure need based maintenance for parents and senior citizens and their welfare. The Act
provides for maintenance of Parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives made obligatory and
justiciable through Tribunals, revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of
negligence by relatives, penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens, establishment of Old
Age Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens, and adequate medical facilities and security for Senior
Citizens.
5. National Programme for Health Care for Elderly (NPHCE)
NPHCE was implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from the year 2010-11.
The Ministry also provides facilities for senior citizens such as separate queues for older persons
in government hospitals, and geriatric clinic in several government hospitals.
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8. Comprehensive National Social Assistance Programme.
With effect from 1 July, 2013, the pension schemes under NSAP have been brought under the
ambit of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), wherein the money is directly transferred into the bank
account of beneficiaries. 121 Districts in 26 States/Union Territories were selected under Phase I
and Phase II for implementation of the DBT. It has been decided to roll out DBT all over the
country
9. Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA)
IRDA which is working under the Ministry of Finance has issued instructions on health
insurance for senior citizens to CEOs of all General Health Insurance Companies like:
allowing entry into health insurance scheme till 65 years of age, transparency in the premium
charged,
reasons to be recorded for denial of any proposals etc. on all health insurance products catering
to the needs of senior citizens. Likewise the insurance companies cannot deny renewability
without specific reasons. to design their products in such a way that various options are
available to policy holders so that those who are unable to pay can go for reduced premium with
reduced sum assured.
10. Pensions Portal
A Pension Portal has been set up by the Department of Pensions, Government of India, to enable
senior citizens to get information regarding the status of their application, the amount of pension,
documents required, if any, etc. The Portal also provides for lodging of grievances.
11. Senior Citizen Welfare Fund: The 9000crore fund has been created in the Budget 2015 as
part of the social security measures. A part of the fund will also be used to subsidize the
premiums of various groups including old age pensioners.
Challenges
1. The existing Government support through National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) need to
be made adequate and effective considering the needs and demands of the aged population. The
policy should be comprehensive enough to cover senior citizens from rural, semi-rural areas and
3-tier cities.
2. Public places should be made senior citizen-friendly
3. Experienced senior citizens may be made an integral part of various development processes.
4. There is need for setting some legal standards for support and health care to senior citizens,
which should become an integral part of the government mechanism.
5. Children should be sensitized, right from primary level, towards intergenerational bonding.
6. Old age homes should be strengthened in terms of capacity, locational and geographical
spread and quality and magnitude of facilities.
7. Sr. Citizen-police connect should be made universal and vibrant.
8. Senior Citizens--------
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i) Do not leave your passion: reading, writing, teaching, music, theatre, gardening, travel and
tourism, games and sports, community service/social work,… whatever.
ii) Once children made capable, let them make their own fortune, keep your funds to yourself.
iii) Follow a healthy life style--sleep in time, food in time, chew food to make it like water and
drink water by chewing like food, light exercise and meditation, regular walking
iv) Frown less, smile more
v) Talk less, listen more
vi) Judge less, accept more
Vii) Watch less, work more
Viii) Complain less, appreciate more
ix) Regret less, enjoy more
x) Think less to avoid being oversensitive
xi) Avoid dwelling on your past too much
xii) Avoid Hurry, Curry and Worry.
Xiii) Change your methods, not principles
……………….
Dr. S. K. Tewari