Aging & Society
Q1. Census of India defines ‘elderly’ as those who are aged:
a. > 55 Years
b . > 60 Years
c. ≥ 60 Years
d. > 65 Years
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Definition of Concepts
Aging / Ageing: The process of becoming old, the chronological accumulation of age
Aged: The state of being old.
Old age:
Biological - Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus
the end of the human life cycle.
Social / Legal - Adults are declared to be "old" when they reach a particular age
India: 60; West: 65 onwards
Elderly or elder:
Generally referring to individuals over age 60 [e.g. India].
Frail elderly: Elderly whose physical and emotional abilities or social support system is so reduced that maintaining a household or social contacts is difficult and sometimes impossible, without regular assistance from others.
Functionally dependent elderly: Individuals whose illnesses, disabilities, or social problems have reduced their ability to perform self-care and household tasks in an independent manner.
Population Aging
The increase in the proportion of 'older people' in the population
– One of the most important demographic processes shaping the world today
– Occurs when the average age of a region's population increases / gets older.
– Declining fertility rate
Higher ratio of old to young
– Increasing life expectancy
Demographic facts about Aging: The Global Scenario
In 2000, there were 600 million people aged 60 and over; there will be 1.2 billion by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050
Today, about two thirds of all older people are living in the developing world; by 2025, it will be 75%
In the developed world, the very old* (age 80+) is the fastest growing population group
Women outlive men in virtually all societies; consequently in very old age, the ratio of women/men is 2:1
Click here to view United Nations' The Ageing of the World's Population page
Q2. Proportion of elderly in the Indian population:
a. 8%
b. 15%
c. 10%
d. 5%
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Aging in India
• Proportion of elderly in India: ~ 8%
• Absolute numbers: ~ 81 million
• Growth rate of elderly (3.75) population faster than that of overall growth rate (1.6)
• Intra-country variations
• 8% immobile
Q3. State with highest proportion of elderly in India:a. Delhi
b. Kerala
c. Gujarat
d. Tamil Nadu
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Socio-Economic Status: Poverty, Social Exclusion of the Aged
• 1/3rd Living below poverty line
• Poverty, less material possessions, social exclusion
– Denies food, medicine, participation in society
– Lack of role – dignity, self-esteem is affected
• Assured and respected place in supportive families & communities – depends on gender &
material circumstances rather than age
– 80% in rural and 35% in urban do not have any post-retirement benefit
Physical Health & Life Style
Health Care of the Elderly: Accessible?
• Health care is inaccessible, especially in rural areas
• Transport, lack of adaptability of vehicles for elders
• Affordability, not taking them for treatment
• Lack of information, shortage of supplies, poor management, information in ‘youth-
oriented’ language & format
Health Care of the Elderly
Network of Government primary health centres (PHCs) 100,000 – treatment is free
HDF and OOPS
Other government hospitals at the secondary and tertiary levels
CGHS, Mediclaim insurance
NRHM silent on the geriatric population?
– SEWA – Jan Arogya
Developments
• Exclusive geriatric care hospitals in the private sector
Accident Prevention
Incorporating accident-free features in the construction of house, old age home
Floor - non-skid tile/mat in the living area, bathroom, etc.
Handrails along steps, in the bathroom, in the living room, etc.
Illumination (for steps, bathroom, etc.)
Psychosocial influences
• Spirituality
– Onset of and recovery from illness
• Mental health and substance abuse
• Successful aging
– Avoidance of disease, lifestyle choices, and engagement with life
Social implications of Aging & Social Support
• 5% living alone
• Impact of social change
– Average family size dwindling
– Living arrangements
– Independence
– Income
– Dignity / abuse
• Urbanization & Industrialization
• Perception of the young about older persons in the Indian culture
Traditional support system & the elderly
• Breakdown of the traditional support system
• Migration of the young
• Education of children
• Education of women
• Employment outside home
• Demand to set up independent family of their own
• Less people to take care of the elderly
• Social role, social relationships, role in the family
Role of family: provision of care for older persons
• Filial piety almost intact
– 70% of elderly live with their children
• Social network in the family and neighbourhood strong in rural areas
– Better social capital
– Older persons respected
• Elderly living alone:
– Rural - 12.43%
– Urban - 9.52%
– More destitutes in rural areas
Women in Old Age
• 85% dependent on other for income – fully or partially
• Lose property, home – patriarchal inheritance
• More widows than widowers – social status, role –void in life, loss of spouse, reduced social
network, loss of friends, relatives
• Reduced social status in widowhood
• Carers of sick and very old
• Men – traditional role of earner - if they stop earning, care-giving and supportive role may
not be recognized
The elderly: an asset!
• Preserves society’s culture, tradition and identity
• Carers of grand children
• Socialization
• Elderly have better coping strategies, clear ideas, leadership roles in emergencies
• Encourage conflict resolution in communities
• Knowledge about alternative systems of medicine
The Economics of aging
• Falling interest rate
• Decrease in number of working-age population
• Decrease in savings in banks
• Increasing number of elderly
• Less savings, more withdrawal from banks
• Reduction in international supply of capital
Q4. State with highest number of old age homes in India:
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Kerala
d. Andhra Pradesh
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
The Institutionalized Elderly
• Number of old age homes (OAHs) » 1000
– South Indian states have more OAHs
– Highest number of OAHs: Kerala (150)
– Most OAHs established after 1950
• Reflects trend in change in family structure
– Surrogate homes
Reasons for institutionalization
• Nobody to care / destitute
• Lone / homeless
• Frail
• Family feud
• Unwantedness / neglect
• Want of freedom at home
• Want of dignity at home
• Elder abuse
Social Welfare of the Elderly
Q5. The nodal central government agency responsible for the care of elderly is:
a. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
b. Ministry of Public Grievances & Pensions
c. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
d. Ministry of Rural Development
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Click here to visit the website of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Objectives of services offered by the Government of India
• Income security
• Independence
• Dignity
• Health care
• Free / affordable Transport
• Living arrangements
UN Principles on Older Persons
• Independence
• Participation
• Care
• Self-fulfillment
• Dignity
Click here to view the United Nations Principles for Older Persons page
Q6. The United Nations observes International Day of Older Persons on:
a. July 24
b. April 7
c. December 1
d. October 1
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Initiatives at the National Level
• Government
– Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E) – the nodal agency for the welfare of the elderly at the national level
• Project Old Age Social & Income Security (OASIS)
• National Policy on Older Pensions (NPOP)
• Integrated Policy on Older Persons (IPOP)
• National Council for Older Persons (NCOP)
• Senior Citizens Act, 2007
– Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
– New Pension Scheme (NPS) for government employees (2003)
• Shift from Non-Contributory to Contributory
– NPS for the general public (2009)
– Various schemes by the insurance companies (in the public, private and NGO sectors)
– Schemes for the organized & Unorganized sector
– National Housing Bank – Reverse Mortgage
Click here to view the National Policy on Older Persons
• Voluntary sector
– Help Age India, Self Employed Womens’ Association (SEWA), Age Care India
Project Old Age Social & Income Security (OASIS)
• “The Government of India to take appropriate measures so that every young worker can build up enough savings during her / his working life, which would serve as a shield against poverty in old age.”
National Policy on Older Persons [NPOP]
• To encourage individuals to make provision for their own as well as their spouse’s old age
• To encourage families to take care of their older family members
• To enable and support voluntary and non-governmental organizations to supplement the care provided by the family
• To provide care and protection to the vulnerable elderly people
• To provide health care facility to the elderly
• To promote research and training facilities to train geriatric care givers and organizers of services for the elderly
• To create awareness regarding elderly persons to develop themselves into fully independent citizens
National Council on Older Persons [NCOP]
• To advise and aid the Government on policies and programmes for older persons
• To provide feedback to the Government on:
– The implementation of the NPOP
– Specific programme initiatives for older persons
• The NCOP is the highest body to advice and coordinate with the Government in the:
– Formulation and implementation of policy, and Programmes for the welfare of the aged
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme [IGNOAPS]
• Eligibility
– Age: ≥ 65
– Destitute having little or no regular means of subsistence from his / her own sources of income or through financial support from family members or other sources
• Rs.200/- per month per beneficiary
– The State Governments are free to add to this amount from their own sources
• Ceiling on the number of beneficiaries
• Those eligible but fall outside the ceiling will get 10 kg of free grain [This scheme is known as the Annapoorna Scheme]
The IGNOAPS is being administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Click here to view the NSAP page
The Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizen’s Act, 2007
• Thrust Areas of the Act
• The Act not just provides for Maintenance of the elderly but also for the following welfare measures:
– Better medical facilities
– Protection of life and property
– Old Age Homes in every District
Concessions• Priority counters in hospitals
• Concession on air, rail travel
• Higher [1/2%] interest rate on bank deposits
• Community nutrition programmes?
Voluntary Sector: Help Age India
“HelpAge India is working for the cause and care of Older Persons, with the ultimate aim of empowering them to take decisions pertaining to their own lives.”
• HAI – the flagship NGO caring for the elderly
• Grant for old age homes
• Adopt-a-grannie
• Mobile medicare
• Ophthalmic clinics, provision of spectacles
• Free grain
• Micro-credit, easy repayment facilities with low interest (self-help groups)
• Micro-insurance
Click here to view the website of HelpAge India
Bibliography & Suggested Readings
1. National Institute on Aging. AgeWords. Baltimore: National Institute on Aging; 1984
2. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. National Policy on Older Persons. New Delhi: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; 1999
3. HelpAge International. State of the World’s Older Persons 2002. London: HelpAge Inernational; 2002
4. United Nations Programme on Ageing. [cited: 2009 Jun 04]. Available from: www.un.org/ageing
5. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Integrated Programme for Older Persons. New Delhi: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; 2008
6. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Bulletin on Rural Health Statistics, India. New Delhi: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India;. 2007.
7. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Bulletin of Rural Health Statistics in India, Special Revised Edition. New Delhi: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; 2006.
8. HelpAge India [Homepage]. [cited: 2009 May 30]. Available from: www.helpageindia.org
9. Rajan IS, Mishra US, Sarma PS. Elderly in India: Burden or Challenge? New Delhi: Sage Publications; 1999.
Answers to Quiz
Q1 = c; Q2 = a; Q3 = b; Q4 = c; Q5 = c; Q6 = d.
Maintained by Dr. Y.S. Sivan. E-mail: yssivan@rediffmail.com
Q1. Census of India defines ‘elderly’ as those who are aged:
a. > 55 Years
b . > 60 Years
c. ≥ 60 Years
d. > 65 Years
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Definition of Concepts
Aging / Ageing: The process of becoming old, the chronological accumulation of age
Aged: The state of being old.
Old age:
Biological - Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus
the end of the human life cycle.
Social / Legal - Adults are declared to be "old" when they reach a particular age
India: 60; West: 65 onwards
Elderly or elder:
Generally referring to individuals over age 60 [e.g. India].
Frail elderly: Elderly whose physical and emotional abilities or social support system is so reduced that maintaining a household or social contacts is difficult and sometimes impossible, without regular assistance from others.
Functionally dependent elderly: Individuals whose illnesses, disabilities, or social problems have reduced their ability to perform self-care and household tasks in an independent manner.
Population Aging
The increase in the proportion of 'older people' in the population
– One of the most important demographic processes shaping the world today
– Occurs when the average age of a region's population increases / gets older.
– Declining fertility rate
Higher ratio of old to young
– Increasing life expectancy
Demographic facts about Aging: The Global Scenario
In 2000, there were 600 million people aged 60 and over; there will be 1.2 billion by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050
Today, about two thirds of all older people are living in the developing world; by 2025, it will be 75%
In the developed world, the very old* (age 80+) is the fastest growing population group
Women outlive men in virtually all societies; consequently in very old age, the ratio of women/men is 2:1
Click here to view United Nations' The Ageing of the World's Population page
Q2. Proportion of elderly in the Indian population:
a. 8%
b. 15%
c. 10%
d. 5%
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Aging in India
• Proportion of elderly in India: ~ 8%
• Absolute numbers: ~ 81 million
• Growth rate of elderly (3.75) population faster than that of overall growth rate (1.6)
• Intra-country variations
• 8% immobile
Q3. State with highest proportion of elderly in India:a. Delhi
b. Kerala
c. Gujarat
d. Tamil Nadu
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Socio-Economic Status: Poverty, Social Exclusion of the Aged
• 1/3rd Living below poverty line
• Poverty, less material possessions, social exclusion
– Denies food, medicine, participation in society
– Lack of role – dignity, self-esteem is affected
• Assured and respected place in supportive families & communities – depends on gender &
material circumstances rather than age
– 80% in rural and 35% in urban do not have any post-retirement benefit
Physical Health & Life Style
Health Care of the Elderly: Accessible?
• Health care is inaccessible, especially in rural areas
• Transport, lack of adaptability of vehicles for elders
• Affordability, not taking them for treatment
• Lack of information, shortage of supplies, poor management, information in ‘youth-
oriented’ language & format
Health Care of the Elderly
Network of Government primary health centres (PHCs) 100,000 – treatment is free
HDF and OOPS
Other government hospitals at the secondary and tertiary levels
CGHS, Mediclaim insurance
NRHM silent on the geriatric population?
– SEWA – Jan Arogya
Developments
• Exclusive geriatric care hospitals in the private sector
Accident Prevention
Incorporating accident-free features in the construction of house, old age home
Floor - non-skid tile/mat in the living area, bathroom, etc.
Handrails along steps, in the bathroom, in the living room, etc.
Illumination (for steps, bathroom, etc.)
Psychosocial influences
• Spirituality
– Onset of and recovery from illness
• Mental health and substance abuse
• Successful aging
– Avoidance of disease, lifestyle choices, and engagement with life
Social implications of Aging & Social Support
• 5% living alone
• Impact of social change
– Average family size dwindling
– Living arrangements
– Independence
– Income
– Dignity / abuse
• Urbanization & Industrialization
• Perception of the young about older persons in the Indian culture
Traditional support system & the elderly
• Breakdown of the traditional support system
• Migration of the young
• Education of children
• Education of women
• Employment outside home
• Demand to set up independent family of their own
• Less people to take care of the elderly
• Social role, social relationships, role in the family
Role of family: provision of care for older persons
• Filial piety almost intact
– 70% of elderly live with their children
• Social network in the family and neighbourhood strong in rural areas
– Better social capital
– Older persons respected
• Elderly living alone:
– Rural - 12.43%
– Urban - 9.52%
– More destitutes in rural areas
Women in Old Age
• 85% dependent on other for income – fully or partially
• Lose property, home – patriarchal inheritance
• More widows than widowers – social status, role –void in life, loss of spouse, reduced social
network, loss of friends, relatives
• Reduced social status in widowhood
• Carers of sick and very old
• Men – traditional role of earner - if they stop earning, care-giving and supportive role may
not be recognized
The elderly: an asset!
• Preserves society’s culture, tradition and identity
• Carers of grand children
• Socialization
• Elderly have better coping strategies, clear ideas, leadership roles in emergencies
• Encourage conflict resolution in communities
• Knowledge about alternative systems of medicine
The Economics of aging
• Falling interest rate
• Decrease in number of working-age population
• Decrease in savings in banks
• Increasing number of elderly
• Less savings, more withdrawal from banks
• Reduction in international supply of capital
Q4. State with highest number of old age homes in India:
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Kerala
d. Andhra Pradesh
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
The Institutionalized Elderly
• Number of old age homes (OAHs) » 1000
– South Indian states have more OAHs
– Highest number of OAHs: Kerala (150)
– Most OAHs established after 1950
• Reflects trend in change in family structure
– Surrogate homes
Reasons for institutionalization
• Nobody to care / destitute
• Lone / homeless
• Frail
• Family feud
• Unwantedness / neglect
• Want of freedom at home
• Want of dignity at home
• Elder abuse
Social Welfare of the Elderly
Q5. The nodal central government agency responsible for the care of elderly is:
a. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
b. Ministry of Public Grievances & Pensions
c. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
d. Ministry of Rural Development
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Click here to visit the website of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Objectives of services offered by the Government of India
• Income security
• Independence
• Dignity
• Health care
• Free / affordable Transport
• Living arrangements
UN Principles on Older Persons
• Independence
• Participation
• Care
• Self-fulfillment
• Dignity
Click here to view the United Nations Principles for Older Persons page
Q6. The United Nations observes International Day of Older Persons on:
a. July 24
b. April 7
c. December 1
d. October 1
(To see answer to this question, see the bottom of the page)
Initiatives at the National Level
• Government
– Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E) – the nodal agency for the welfare of the elderly at the national level
• Project Old Age Social & Income Security (OASIS)
• National Policy on Older Pensions (NPOP)
• Integrated Policy on Older Persons (IPOP)
• National Council for Older Persons (NCOP)
• Senior Citizens Act, 2007
– Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
– New Pension Scheme (NPS) for government employees (2003)
• Shift from Non-Contributory to Contributory
– NPS for the general public (2009)
– Various schemes by the insurance companies (in the public, private and NGO sectors)
– Schemes for the organized & Unorganized sector
– National Housing Bank – Reverse Mortgage
Click here to view the National Policy on Older Persons
• Voluntary sector
– Help Age India, Self Employed Womens’ Association (SEWA), Age Care India
Project Old Age Social & Income Security (OASIS)
• “The Government of India to take appropriate measures so that every young worker can build up enough savings during her / his working life, which would serve as a shield against poverty in old age.”
National Policy on Older Persons [NPOP]
• To encourage individuals to make provision for their own as well as their spouse’s old age
• To encourage families to take care of their older family members
• To enable and support voluntary and non-governmental organizations to supplement the care provided by the family
• To provide care and protection to the vulnerable elderly people
• To provide health care facility to the elderly
• To promote research and training facilities to train geriatric care givers and organizers of services for the elderly
• To create awareness regarding elderly persons to develop themselves into fully independent citizens
National Council on Older Persons [NCOP]
• To advise and aid the Government on policies and programmes for older persons
• To provide feedback to the Government on:
– The implementation of the NPOP
– Specific programme initiatives for older persons
• The NCOP is the highest body to advice and coordinate with the Government in the:
– Formulation and implementation of policy, and Programmes for the welfare of the aged
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme [IGNOAPS]
• Eligibility
– Age: ≥ 65
– Destitute having little or no regular means of subsistence from his / her own sources of income or through financial support from family members or other sources
• Rs.200/- per month per beneficiary
– The State Governments are free to add to this amount from their own sources
• Ceiling on the number of beneficiaries
• Those eligible but fall outside the ceiling will get 10 kg of free grain [This scheme is known as the Annapoorna Scheme]
The IGNOAPS is being administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Click here to view the NSAP page
The Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizen’s Act, 2007
• Thrust Areas of the Act
• The Act not just provides for Maintenance of the elderly but also for the following welfare measures:
– Better medical facilities
– Protection of life and property
– Old Age Homes in every District
Concessions• Priority counters in hospitals
• Concession on air, rail travel
• Higher [1/2%] interest rate on bank deposits
• Community nutrition programmes?
Voluntary Sector: Help Age India
“HelpAge India is working for the cause and care of Older Persons, with the ultimate aim of empowering them to take decisions pertaining to their own lives.”
• HAI – the flagship NGO caring for the elderly
• Grant for old age homes
• Adopt-a-grannie
• Mobile medicare
• Ophthalmic clinics, provision of spectacles
• Free grain
• Micro-credit, easy repayment facilities with low interest (self-help groups)
• Micro-insurance
Click here to view the website of HelpAge India
Bibliography & Suggested Readings
1. National Institute on Aging. AgeWords. Baltimore: National Institute on Aging; 1984
2. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. National Policy on Older Persons. New Delhi: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; 1999
3. HelpAge International. State of the World’s Older Persons 2002. London: HelpAge Inernational; 2002
4. United Nations Programme on Ageing. [cited: 2009 Jun 04]. Available from: www.un.org/ageing
5. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Integrated Programme for Older Persons. New Delhi: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; 2008
6. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Bulletin on Rural Health Statistics, India. New Delhi: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India;. 2007.
7. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Bulletin of Rural Health Statistics in India, Special Revised Edition. New Delhi: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; 2006.
8. HelpAge India [Homepage]. [cited: 2009 May 30]. Available from: www.helpageindia.org
9. Rajan IS, Mishra US, Sarma PS. Elderly in India: Burden or Challenge? New Delhi: Sage Publications; 1999.
Answers to Quiz
Q1 = c; Q2 = a; Q3 = b; Q4 = c; Q5 = c; Q6 = d.
Maintained by Dr. Y.S. Sivan. E-mail: yssivan@rediffmail.com
