Let’s
commit to invest in our elderly…this International Day of Older Persons
Anuja Gulati
Consultant, Population First
Population
ageing is an inevitable consequence of the demographic transition experienced
by most countries across the world. Declining fertility and increasing
longevity have resulted in an increasing proportion of elderly persons aged 60
years and above. As per the 2011 census, India had around 104 million elderly
persons – 53 million females and 51 million males. The number of elderly in the
60+ age group is expected to increase to 320 million by 2050, constituting 20%
of the total population. Given the nature of demographic transition, such a
huge increase in the population of the elderly is bound to create several
societal issues, magnified by sheer volume.
A majority of the people at 60+ are socially and economically poor. Elderly
women are more vulnerable on all fronts compared to elderly men. Nearly three
out of five single older women are poor and about two thirds of them are
completely economically dependent.
The
elderly are more vulnerable due to poor health. A high proportion of the
elderly reporting poor health are the oldest old (Age 80+), poor, illiterate
and widows. A recent study[1]
shows that a significant percentage of the elderly have acute and
chronic morbidities. Morbidities are more prevalent in elderly women compared
to elderly men, especially in urban areas. The study also showed that nearly
two thirds of the elderly reported suffering from at least one chronic ailment
like arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. They also
lack access to health care facilities.
The
vulnerability of the aged is aggravated by urbanization and a recent shift from
the joint family system to nuclear families. This has a huge impact on the
psychological and emotional health of the elderly, leading to neglect, lack of
respect and sometimes abuse and exploitation.
Family
has traditionally been the primary source of support for the elderly in India.
The elderly depend
primarily on their families for economic and material support. In spite of the
strong preference to live with families, one in ten elderly women lives alone.
With nuclearization of families, the traditional support system for the elderly
is dwindling, making them even more vulnerable. Social isolation amongst the
elderly is another critical issue of concern.
The profile of
elderly indicates low level of educational attainment particularly amongst
elderly women. Over half the elderly report not having formal education with a
higher proportion, almost two thirds amongst women.
Work participation
among elderly men in India is as high as 39% as against 11% amongst women.
Although work participation amongst women is low, they contribute to family
chores enabling other adult family members to work. A majority of elderly (71%)
work due to economic necessity and not by choice. This is particularly true of
elderly women. There is a close link between current work participation and
poverty and illiteracy.
Older women are particularly
disadvantaged, facing structural, social and economic inequalities throughout
their lives. The experience of widowhood in Indian society is generally
associated with many deprivations and has many implications for the health and
well-being of older women. Further, certain
traditional widowhood practices result in situations of violence and abuse and
pose a serious threat to their health and well- being. Widowhood is one
of the leading factors associated with poverty, loneliness and isolation, as a
widow suffers indignity, often losing her self-reliance and respect. Many
widows are ignored by both family and society, including their own children and
are left to fend for themselves.
Poor health, age
related morbidities, income insecurity, illiteracy and physical and economic
dependencies are factors that tend to make the elderly, especially elderly
women vulnerable
Recognizing the
vulnerabilities of the elderly, the Government of India drafted the National
Policy on Older Persons and has initiated and implemented several programs and
schemes for social, economic and health security of older persons. However access to these schemes and programs can
be improved.
On this International
Day of older persons, it is important to focus immediate attention on
creating an enabling environment and decent living for the elderly, especially
women. For this, it is suggested that Government, Multilateral agencies and
Corporates invest in:
·
Undertaking
studies to understand increased morbidity and disability amongst elderly women,
despite their longer life expectancy.
·
Mobilizing
greater resources for geriatric care, especially care of elderly women.
·
Developing
health promotion programs with outreach facilities and other services such as
medical insurance to meet the long term care needs of elderly women.
·
Addressing
financial insecurity amongst the elderly women by formation of Self-Help Groups
(SHG). These SHG’s would be formed with an objective of improving their
livelihood and enabling them to become economically active through small loans
and other required support.
·
Ensuring
convergence between various government departments for improved access to services
and schemes for the elderly
·
Promoting
and assuring the participation of elderly women in the process of development.
·
Amending
laws that discriminate against women with regard to property and inheritance
rights, providing housing support for elderly women who are property less and
creating employment opportunities for them free of discrimination.
·
Developing
training programs to build life coping skills of elderly women.
·
Providing
services for older disabled women and disabled women who grow old.
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