A Scheme to improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens 

1. INTRODUCTION 

There has been a steady rise in the population of senior citizens in India. The number of elderly persons has increased from 1.98 crore in 1951 to 7.6 crore in 2001, and 10.38 crore in 2011. The projections indicate that the number of 60+ in India will increase to 14.3 crore in 2021 and 17.3 crore in 2026. Continuous increase in life expectancy means that more people are now living longer. General improvement in the health care facilities over the years is one of the main reasons for continuing increase in proportion of population of senior citizens. Ensuring that they not merely live longer, but lead a secure, dignified and productive life is a major challenge.

The traditional norms and values of the Indian society laid stress on showing respect and providing care for the aged. However, in recent times, society is witnessing a gradual but definite decline of the joint family system, as a result of which a large number of parents are being neglected by their families exposing them to lack of emotional, physical and financial support. These older persons are facing a lot of problems in the absence of adequate social security. This clearly reveals that ageing has become a major social challenge and there is a need to provide for the economic and health needs of the elderly and to create a social milieu, which is conducive and sensitive to the emotional needs of the elderly.

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 

The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing support for capacity building of State/ UT Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) / local bodies and the community at large. 

Developmental Objectives/Goals of the Scheme 
Development objectives is to work on the following components to fulfil the vision and mission of the scheme: 
1) Financial Security 
2) Health Care and Nutrition 
3) Shelter and Welfare 
4) Protection of life and property of Senior Citizens 
5) Active and Productive Ageing with Intergenerational Bonding and Skill Development 
6) Accessibility, transport and Age friendly environment 
7) Awareness Generation and Capacity Building 
8) Promoting Silver Economy: senior friendly industrial goods and services in the society 
9) Research and Study 10) Project Management 

 
3. APPROACH

 
Assistance under the scheme will be given to the Implementing Agencies such as State/ UT Governments /Panchayati Raj Institutions / local bodies and eligible Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organizations  etc. as mentioned in Para 6, for the following purposes:- 
(i)   Programmes catering to the basic needs of Senior Citizens particularly food, shelter and health care to the destitute elderly; 
(ii) Programmes to build and strengthen intergenerational relationships particularly between children / youth and Senior Citizens, through Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs); 
(iii)  Programmes for encouraging Active and Productive Ageing, through  RRTCs; 
(iv) Programmes for proving Institutional as well as Non-Institutional Care/ Services to Senior Citizens; 
(v)  Research, Advocacy and Awareness building programmes in the field of Ageing through RRTCs; and 
(vi)  Any other programmes in the best interest of Senior Citizens.

The scheme has below components:-

        A. Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)

        B. State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC):

       C. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)

       D. Senior Citizen Opportunities for Productive Engagement (SCOPE)

       E. Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE)

(a) Integrated Programme for Sr Citizens (IPSrC): Appendix-A Maintenance of Senior Citizen Homes (SrCH) to improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens, especially indigent senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.

(b) State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC): Appendix-B The Government of India perceives a major and critical role of all State/ UT Governments in partnering and implementing this Action Plan for welfare of senior citizens. Appreciating the critical and significant role of States/UTs, each State/UT is expected to plan and strategize taking into account their local considerations and frame their own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior citizens. This State Action Plan may comprise a long term strategy for five years as well as Annual Action Plans. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment shall http://socialjustice.nic.in Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana   7  http://socialjustice.nic.in Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment   release funds to the States/UTs for formulation and implementation of their State Action Plans.

(c) Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): The Central Sector Scheme aims at providing senior citizens, with the eligibility criteria mentioned in para-9, suffering from any of the age related disability/infirmity mentioned in para-4, with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions. The assistive devices shall be of high quality and conforming to the standards laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards, wherever applicable. 

(d) Senior Citizen Opportunities for Productive Engagement (SCOPE): Many senior citizens have experience, time and energy which can be used by the business enterprises looking for stable employees with experience. The Human resources cells of many private enterprises seek experienced but stable persons in certain positions. The portal allows bringing these people together by virtual matching of preferences.

(e) Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE): Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) : An Initiative for promoting aged-care products and services by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) is to identify, evaluate, verify, aggregate, and deliver products / solutions / services directly to the stakeholders, giving them wide choice to select the products / solutions / services that would suit their requirements, thereby improving their quality of life. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would act as the facilitator in the process while ensuring that the products / solutions / services are made available to a large number of needy people.

To apply online under the Integrated Programme for Older Persons, please click on the link below

Online NGO Portal 

An integrated Programme for older persons Scheme Document

NGO wise Grants in Aid released from 2016-17 to 2018-19 under the scheme Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)