On 24th April ‘National Online Survey Report’ for review of NPOP and views of Senior Citizens was submitted to MOSJE Shri Mukul Wasnik by Sailesh Mishra at Bangalore at Inauguration function of Nightingale Center for Ageing & Dementia. The Minister assured that he will look into the matter.
On 8th Dec 2009 the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (MOSJE), Shri Mukul Wasnik informed about Review of NPOP at National Dementia Strategy, New Delhi.
NPOP was formulated in 1999, but till date it has not been implemented by Central Govt / Pan India, due to various reasons including lack of political will. Various NGO's and activists have been advocating its implementation and review.
During these 10 years the world has changed, there has been significant demography change in India's population due globalization and improved medical facility and lifestyle. The fall of joint family system and rise in nuclear family system has brought new dimension to the care and welfare of Elderly. The population of aged people above 60 yrs as on 2009 is estimated at 90 million, i.e. around 8% of total population. According to UN the population of 60+ in 2050 will be around 20%.Life expectancy has increased 60% in last 60 years from 42yrs in 1950 to 69yrs in 2009.There is sharp increase in population of Young Old 60yrs to 69 yrs and Old old 80+. Due to this demand and needs of various age groups have changed. Now it is time for civil society and government to rethink their strategy to address the needs of Senior Citizens.
This survey was jointly conducted by Silver Innings Foundation and Society for Serving Seniors to assess the requirement and need of Senior Citizens from 19th March 2010 to 15th April 2010. It was hosted on the Survey Site www.questionpro.com at the link: http://questionpro.com/t/ADwMaZHLEV
The questionnaire was online for about a month. Wide publicity was given to this survey in a large number of web groups, blogs, websites and by email to Senior Citizens associations, Federations etc.
Some brief points of Report:
Top 5 Needs of Senior Citizens:
1) There is a need for Fast Track Courts exclusively for Senior Citizens : 82.30%
2) Old Age Pension must reach all deserving persons : 81.86%
3) Separate Medicare policy must be available for older persons : 80.53%
4) Senior Citizen must be defined as one who is 60 plus : 79.20 %
5) A National Level Elder Helpline (Four digit Code) must be set up : 77.88%
Top 5 issues of Senior Citizens:
1) Health & Medical Care
2) Accommodation & Shelter
3) Food & Nutrition
4) Psychological Needs
5) Insurance
Some important Demands:
1. Affordable health insurance for senior citizens
2. Alzheimer’s must be included in the mentally ill disabled group in the census
3. Social Security Scheme for the Elders
4. A separate ministry for elderly persons
5. Life Long learning opportunity
6. Palliative care should be supported
7. Training of care givers
8. Inflation indexed interest for all savings instruments
9. The 80 Plus should be treated as a separate category for special assistance.
10. Separate plans for young old , old old and very old
11. Include comprehensive policy for Dementia in NPOP
12. Rural Elders should get special attention
13. Nodal agency to take care of the problems of senior citizens
14. R & D to be encouraged for different issues of Elderly
Read in Detail - ‘National Online Survey for Review of NPOP’ :http://www.karmayog.org/nonprofits/redirect/strred.asp?docId=3529
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