MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a): No authentic data regarding Senior Citizens living in destitution is available with this Ministry.
(b) to (d): The Government is aware that some of elderly people are living in pathetic condition due to constant neglect by kith and kin. However, no authentic data is available in this regard. The Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 which, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents /senior citizens by their children / relatives obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of neglect by children/relatives; penal provisions for abandonment of senior citizens, medical facilities for senior citizens, medical facilities for senior citizens; and protection of life and property of senior citizens.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two detailed advisories dated 27.3.2008 and 30.8.2013 to all State Governments/UTs advising them to take immediate measures to ensure safety and security and for elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence against old persons through initiatives such as identification of senior citizens, sensitization of police personnel regarding safety, security of older persons regular visit of beat staff; setting up of toll free senior citizen helpline; setting up of senior citizen security cell; verification of domestic helps, drivers, etc.
(e): Under the Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP), financial assistance is provided by the Ministry to eligible Panchayati Raj Institution/ Non Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations for maintenance of old age homes, respite care homes, day care cetres etc. including, inter-alia, programmes catering to the basic needs of older persons particularly food, shelter and health care to the destitute elderly.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that they have launched the “National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly” (NPHCE) during the year 2010-11 for providing dedicated health care facilities to senior citizens (above 60 years of age) at primary, secondary and tertiary health care delivery system.
The basic aim of the NPHCE is to provide separate and specialized comprehensive health care to the senior citizens at various levels of state health care delivery system including outreach services.
The major activities of the NPHCE are:
i. Setting up of Geriatric department in identified Regional Geriatric Centres (RGC) with OPD care service and 30 bedded Geriatric ward for providing indoor services. RGCs will also undertake PG Courses in Geriatric for developing Human Resource.
ii. Setting up of Geriatric units at all District Hospitals that will provide specialist services. A 10 bedded Geriatric Ward will also be set up for providing indoor services.
iii. Establishment of Rehabilitation unit at all Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Geriatric clinic twice/week.
iv. Setting up weekly Geriatric clinic by trained medical Officer at Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
v. Information Education Communication (IEC) on healthy life style, home care to the bed ridden and supportive devices for the needy elderly persons at sub-centre level.
As on date, a total of 104 districts of 24 States/UTs and 08 regional Geriatric Centres have been covered under NPHCE.
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