National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011

The foundation of the new policy, known as the “National Policy for Senior Citizens 2011” is based on several factors. These include the demographic explosion among the elderly, the changing economy and social milieu, advancement in medical research, science and technology and high levels of destitution among the elderly rural poor (51 million elderly live below the poverty line). A higher proportion of elderly women than men experience loneliness and are dependent on children. Social deprivations and exclusion, privatization of health services and changing pattern of morbidity affect the elderly. All those of 60 years and above are senior citizens. This policy addresses issues concerning senior citizens living in urban and rural areas, special needs of the ‘oldest old’ and older women.

Objectives

Some of the salient policy objectives are to:

• Mainstream the concerns of senior citizens, especially older women, and bring them into the national development debate
• Promote income security, homecare services, old age pension, healthcare insurance schemes, housing and other programmes/ services
• Promote care of senior citizens within the family and to consider institutional care as a last resort
• Work towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly society
• Recognize senior citizens as a valuable resource for the country, protect their rights and ensure their full participation in society
• Promote long term savings instruments and credit activities in both rural and urban areas
• Encourage employment in income generating activities after superannuation
• Support organizations that provide counseling, career guidance and training services; etc.
• The policy will consider institutional care as the last resort. It recognises that care of senior citizens has to remain vested in the family which would partner the community, government and the private sector.
• Being a signatory to the Madrid Plan of Action and Barrier Free Framework it will work towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly society.

Areas of Intervention

• The areas of intervention to be made by Central/ State Governments towards implementation of the policy objectives.
• Geriatric services for all age groups above 60 — preventive, curative, rehabilitative healthcare will be provided.
• Twice in a year the PHC nurse or the ASHA will conduct a special screening of the 80+ population of villages and urban areas and public/private partnerships will be worked out for geriatric and palliative healthcare in rural areas recognizing the increase of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the country.
• Universal application of health insurance – RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) will be promoted in all districts and senior citizens will be compulsorily included in the coverage. Specific policies will be worked out for healthcare insurance of senior citizens.
• National and regional institutes of ageing will be set up to promote geriatric healthcare.
• Ten percent of housing schemes for urban and rural lower income segments will be earmarked for senior citizens. This will include the Indira Awas Yojana and other schemes of the government.
• The policy will promote measures to create avenues for continuity in employment and/or post retirement opportunities Directorate of Employment would be created to enable seniors find reemployment.
• A welfare fund for senior citizens will be set up by the government and revenue generated through a social security cess. The revenue generated from this would be allocated to the states in proportion to their share of senior citizens. States may also create similar funds.

Implementation Mechanism

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will establish a “Department of Senior Citizens” which will be the nodal agency for implementing programmes and services for senior citizens and the NPSC 2011.
• States and union territories will set up separate Directorates of Senior Citizens for implementing programmes and services for senior citizens and the NPSC 2011.
• A National Commission for Senior Citizens at the centre and similar commissions at the state level will be constituted.
• A National Council for Senior Citizens, headed by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment will be constituted by the Ministry.