Review of National Policy for Senior Citizens

As per Census 2011, the population of senior citizens in the country is 10.38 crore, which is about 8.6% of the total population of the country. Keeping in view the changing demographic pattern, socio-economic needs of the senior citizens, social value system and advancement in the field of science and technology over the last decade, the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 has been reviewed and the new National Policy for Senior Citizens is under finalization. In order to improve the living standard of senior citizens, different Ministries and Departments of Government of India, along with Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment, are implementing various welfare schemes for them. The details are: Annexure-II Brief details of the 3 important Schemes meant for Senior Citizens S. No. Name of Scheme Nodal Ministry Brief details of the Scheme 1. Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment The Scheme is being implemented since 1992 and revised w.e.f 1.4.2008. Financial assistance is provided under it to State Governments/ Panchayati Raj Institutions/ Urban Local Bodies and Non GovernmentalOrganisations for running and maintenance of projects like: ·      Old Age Home; ·      Day Care Centre; ·      Mobile Medicare Unit; ·      Day Care Centre for Alzheimer`s Disease/ Dementia Patients; ·      Physiotherapy Clinic for Older Persons; ·      Help-lines and Counseling Centres for Older Persons; ·      Sensitizing Programmes for Children particularly in Schools and Colleges; ·      Regional Resource and Training Centres; etc. 2. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) Ministry of Rural Development Under the Scheme, Central assistance is given towards pension @ Rs. 200/- per month to persons above 60 years, and @ Rs. 500/- per month to persons above 80 years belonging to a household below poverty line, which is expected to be supplemented by contribution by the States. 3. National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Major components of this programme, launched in 2010-11, are: ·      Community based Primary Healthcare approach; ·      Strengthening of health services for senior citizens at District Hospitals/ CHC/ PHC/ Sub-Centres; ·      Dedicated facilities at 100 District Hospitals with 10 bedded wards for the elderly; ·      Strengthening of 8 Regional Medical Institutions to provide dedicated tertiary level Medical Care for the elderly, with 30 bedded wards, at New Delhi (AIIMS), Chennai, Mumbai, Srinagar, Vanarasi, Jodhpur, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati; and ·      Introduction of PG courses in Geriatric Medicines in the above 8 Institutions and In-Service training of health personnel at all level. This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha here today.