According to the recently released India Aging report (Caring for Our Elders: Early Responses, India Ageing Report), the population of the aged in India is increasing at a rapid pace. In the year 2015, there was 8 per cent of the total number of people over 60 years. The report estimates that if the numbers of the aged grow at the same speed, the total population of India will be 19 per cent of the total population for the year 2050 to 60.
Challenges arising for people aged from an increasing population of the aged:
The aged are kept in the category of dependent population as the category of the working population is set for people ages 15 to 59 years. Due to the dependent category, the economic utilization of the aged is negligible, so they are not given much importance.
- Due to the impact of the globalization, most of the youth migrate to the cities and the old ones are alone and their care does not occur properly.
- There is a greater life expectancy for women than men in India. 2011 Women aged 1033 per 1000 in census. This causes women aged to face more problems.
- The ‘Nuclear family system’ is growing in general including husband, wife, and a child. Due to such circulation, the aged are being ignored.
- The mutual dialogue and communication between the aged and the youth have been reduced. The main reason is that most of the aged lack digital literacy and they are not able to grasp the current consumer-demand lifestyle.
Government efforts carried out to resolve the aged problem
- National policy for the aged was first issued in year 1999. The policy has been referred to as the assistance provided by the State for proper management of the aged health, food and financial security, and shelter etc.
- The ' Integrated programme ' is being operated for the aged, under which financial assistance is provided to the PRI institutes, hospitals, Generous organisations and NGOs so that they can provide facilities to the aged.
- Similarly, the Quality Care Act of life for the aged 2007 has been implemented, with legal provision for caring for aged parents and grandparents.
- In the year 2011, the national policy on senior citizens has been issued to 2011, which has made proper provision for the aged so that they do not have to face any problem.
Conclusion:
We can say that the population of the aged in India is increasing at a rapid pace. The population of the aged is facing a variety of Problems. However, there have been several attempts by the government but more efforts need to be made in the severity of the problem.
