Saying that the increase in the 60+ will have spillover impact on health, economy and the society, India Ageing Report 2023 lists the way forward to address the challenges
Governments should ensure that their initiatives are elderly-friendly. Civil society, community-based organisations, media and private sector can lend a helping hand. Governments, private sector and institutions can collaborate to undertake research to develop services and products for the elderly. Besides, data needs to be strengthened for the population on ageing as there is dearth of data on about the elderly. A cadre of caregivers for home-based care for disabled older persons needs to be developed. Intergenerational solidarity and the relations between generations need to be nurtured for ensuring the wellbeing of the elderly.
Such guidance forms part of the way forward in the just released report, Caring for Our Elders: Institutional Responses India Ageing Report 2023.
Gives an overview of the elderly population in the country, particularly when the increase in the 60+ will have spillover impact on health, economy and the society, the report by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Institute for Population Sciences takes into account India’s policies, challenges, opportunities, community efforts and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative and Country Director, Bhutan, elaborates, “India is in unique demographic transition, while India as a nation has a largest cohort of young people with immense opportunities, India has started ageing, too. The population above 60 years will double from 10.5 per cent in 2022 to 21 per cent in 2050, that’s not far away.”
She adds, “It is acknowledged that ageing of the population not only impacts health systems but many aspects of society including labour and financial markets and the demand for goods and services.”
The report points out that both the world population and its age are increasing. Due to demographic transition caused by rising life expectancy and decreasing fertility in practically all nations, the age structure of the population is shifting, increasing both the proportion and overall number of older people globally.
“As India ages, it is imperative to ensure that our elderly population has access to the care and support they need to live healthy, dignified, and fulfilling lives,” says Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India).
Talking about specifics, the report adds that the prevalence of widowhood and elder women's longer life expectancies are important demographic factors in India. Older women are more likely to be widowed, live alone, have no income, have less assets, and be completely dependent on family for assistance, making poverty in old age intrinsically gendered.
Saying that the government should provide financial and technical knowhow, the report adds, “There is significant scope for mobilizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for this purpose as elder care falls well within the activities recognized under the CSR mandate. Funds are needed for the development of related infrastructure such as the construction of meeting rooms or halls, training equipment and digital infrastructure and platforms for connecting the elderly to government schemes and portals that can improve their quality of life.”
Prof S Siva Raju, Chairperson, Centre For Excellence in CSR, TISS, Mumbai, adds, “There is some interest emerging in the field of CSR and that is gradually picking up.”
The aged too have a future if they are seen more of an opportunity and less of a burden. If their full potential is realised, it will help contribute to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like SDG3, SDG8, SDG10 and SDG11.