Situation of homeless elderly in India

Reference

At present, the number of homeless elderly people in India is at its highest level. Their condition is serious and worrying. The number of homeless elderly people in the country is increasing rapidly and their quality of life is often very poor. This is becoming a new social problem in India, hence its analysis is necessary.

Status of Old People in India

• India has undergone a dramatic demographic change over the last 50 years, with the population above 60 years of age increasing almost threefold.
• As per the 2011 census, the senior citizen population in the country is 10.38 crore, accounting for about 8.6% of the total population of the country.
• According to the India Ageing Report-2023 of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the elderly population in India is increasing rapidly and by the year 2036, the number of people above 60 years of age will be 15% (22.7 crores) of the total population.
  • According to a report, in the year 2050, the population of senior citizens will be around 20% (34.7 crores) of the total population.

Importance of elderly people in Indian context

• Knowledge and valuable insights about life's challenges help young people cope with life's challenges
• Young people spend time with the elderly and develop a more positive attitude towards old age
  • This makes the youth give more importance to inter-generational relationships.
• Getting knowledge of traditions, cultures and customs from the older generation
  • Various traditions of India underline the importance of social and emotional relationships along with protection from climate change, overly materialistic environment and pollution.
• Important in resolving disputes between family members and managing family relationships
• Helpful in child care for single children in professional and urban life
  • In the absence of elderly or experienced guardians, children have to be kept in 'creche facility'.

Reasons for seniors being homeless at present

• Financial constraints: This is a major reason. Many elderly people do not have adequate financial security at the end of their lives.
  • Lack of pension and savings, no source of income after retirement and high medical expenses make them financially vulnerable. Also, the situation of elderly people engaged in wage labour and agricultural work is more vulnerable.
• Social and Cultural Changes :
  • Globalization and blind imitation of western culture and materialistic mindset
  • Disintegration of joint families
  • Lack of time and mutual love in family relationships
  • Lack of sense of duty and responsibility among the youth of today
  • Increasing trend of valueless lifestyle
  • Increasing gap between the new and old generation
  • Considering family responsibilities as a burden and wishing to be free from it
  • Lack of service spirit and harmony due to personal selfishness and opportunism
• Health problems: There is a lack of appropriate care for mental health problems that occur in old age (such as dementia, Alzheimer's and other mental disorders). This leads to the problem of leaving home or getting separated from family.
• Vulnerability and housing problems: The elderly face heightened vulnerability due to their advancing age, economic insecurity and lack of stable housing. They often lack affordable housing options, adequate social support systems and sources of income, leaving them homeless.
• Inadequate support and rehabilitation services: There is a lack of special programmes that provide shelter, health care, counselling, vocational training and social integration initiatives specifically for homeless elderly persons.
• Policy and legal framework: The problem of homeless elderly is affected by deficiencies in the policy and legal framework. There are no specific policies that address the needs of the elderly. These deficiencies hinder the development and implementation of effective strategies to address the issue.
• Intersectional factors: The problem of homeless older adults is also influenced by intersectional factors, including gender, ethnicity and migration status. Certain subgroups (such as older women, minorities or migrants) face complex vulnerabilities and may face additional barriers to accessing assistance and resources.

Legal provisions related to elderly people

• Directive Principles: Articles 41 and 46 contain constitutional provisions for the elderly.
  • Article 41: Right to work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
  • Article 46: State to promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society, in particular the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other weaker sections.
• Hindu Marriage and Adoption Act, 1956: Under this, provision for maintenance of aged parents has been made mandatory.
• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: Under this, provision has been made for maintenance of parents, establishment of old-age homes, arrangement of medical facilities, protection of life and property.

Steps taken by the government

The Government of India and the State Governments are implementing various schemes and policies to improve the condition of homeless elderly people:

• National Policy for Older Persons, 2011: The aim of this policy is to provide social security and financial support to the elderly. Under this, pension schemes and health services are provided to the elderly.
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under this scheme, monthly pension is provided to poor elderly persons above the age of 60 years. This scheme is especially for the elderly persons living below the poverty line.
• Old Age Homes: Old age homes have been set up by the government in various cities and towns where homeless old people can reside and are provided with basic facilities.
• Shelter Home Scheme: Under this scheme, shelter homes are built for homeless elderly people, where food, clothes and medical services are provided to them.
• Pension Schemes and Health Insurance: The government is running various pension schemes and health insurance schemes for the elderly, which ensure their financial security and health care. 
  • For example, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana.
• SACRED Portal : This is a portal for respectful re-employment of capable senior citizens.
• SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine): Its objective is to identify, evaluate, validate, integrate and deliver products, solutions and services directly to stakeholders to improve their quality of life.
• Elder Line: A national level 'Elder Line' 14567 service has been launched for senior citizens with the aim to rescue elderly destitute people and help them get shelter in old age homes.
• Assam is the first state in the country to implement the Employees' Parents Maintenance and Protection Act.

Suggestions for improving the condition of homeless elderly people

• To establish the sharing and utility of the experiences of the elderly in family, society and national development
• To develop a community based care system for the elderly
  • Local community and non-governmental organizations can cooperate in their care.
• Providing better pension schemes and financial assistance for the elderly
• Creating special centres for special health services and mental health support for the elderly
• Emphasizing the need for public awareness campaigns to increase respect and sensitivity towards the elderly in society
• Motivating families to live with the elderly and take care of them
• For this, the government can also implement some incentive schemes.
• To run a campaign to provide social media training to educated and retired elderly people from various services and to remove their loneliness and make them self-reliant.
• To create awareness amongst students about the nature, characteristics and problems of old age by including it in the study and teaching of old age in the curriculum from primary to higher education in educational institutions.
  • To find the possibilities of their better condition by organizing various workshops, symposia and conferences related to old age and brainstorming on their social, economic and psychological issues.
• To establish coordination between the elderly and the youth through various educational, social and cultural programs and to create feelings of mutual bonding between them.