**GLOBAL AGING ROUNDTABLE**

**2005 WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING**

# Remarks by

# K R Gangadharan

#  Heritage Hospital, Hyderabad India

# 

# Ageing in India

# 

# Government of India's programmes 

> With a comparatively young population, India is still poised to become
> home to the second largest number of older persons in the world.
> Projection studies indicate that the number of 60+ in India will
> increase to 100 million in 2013 and to 198 million in 2030. The
> special features of the elderly population in India are:  (a) a
> majority (80%) of them are in the rural areas, thus making service
> delivery a challenge, (b) feminization of the elderly population (51%
> of the elderly population would be women by the year 2016), (c)
> increase in the number of the older-old (persons above 80
> years) and (d) a large 30% of the elderly live below poverty line.

-   **National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP)**

> The National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January,
> 1999, with the primary objectives to: encourage individuals to make
> provision for their own as well as their spouse's old age; encourage
> families to take care of their older family members; enable and
> support voluntary and non-governmental organizations to supplement the
> care provided by the family; provide care and protection to the
> vulnerable elderly people; provide health care facility to the
> elderly; promote research and training facilities, train geriatric
> care givers and organizers of services for the elderly; and create
> awareness regarding elderly persons to develop themselves into fully
> independent citizens. The budget allocation during 2003-2004 was INR
> 178 million which was revised and the allocation was INR158 million,
> against which the expenditure was INR 165 million. As regards the
> implementation of the Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older
> Persons, financial assistance has been given for 323 Old Age Homes,
> 281 Day Care Centers and 42 Mobile Medicare Units in different parts
> of the country during the year 2003-04.

-   **Facilities/benefits given to senior citizens by various concerned
    Ministries/ Departments**

> In order to cope with the problems faced by the aged, it is necessary
> that the care givers be made aware of the physical and mental
> conditions and problems of the elderly people so as to meet their
> needs as far as possible in the home setting. Under this initiative,
> the National Institute of Social Defense runs a series of
> Programmes/Certificate Courses to educate and train persons who can
> provide care to older persons in the family and community settings.

1.  **Tradition of Caring of Elderly in India**

> The responsibility of caring for the elderly is traditionally that of
> the immediate family, and most often by the sons. However with a
> growing trend towards nuclear family set up, and the associated decay
> of the extended family structure, the vulnerability of the ageing
> population is increasing.

2.  **Heritage Hospital, a Hospital with a Difference**

> Established in 1994, Heritage Hospital at Hyderabad, India's only
> multi-specialty geriatric hospital, offers affordable medical and
> non-medical services to elderly patients. The caring philosophy at
> Heritage Hospital goes beyond treating patients and declaring them
> medically fit. The focus is on the overall well being of patients that
> include their social, emotional, psychological and physical well
> being. The hospital is aesthetically designed & spacious with
> patient-friendly interiors.

-   **Heritage Home Care Services**

> Heritage Homecare Services is available for people who no longer need
> 24-hour hospital care & wish to recuperate in the comfortable environs
> of their own homes, under the loving care of trained nursing
> professionals and assistants. The care comes in the best tradition of
> human touch and warmth that enables and makes a recovery path a
> pleasure.

### Heritage Helpline

> Run and managed by a team of trained volunteers, this excellent
> facility is a round-the-clock service that offers top class assistance
> to people in distress and other various types of information and
> referral assistance, including healthcare services in Hyderabad.

### Service Clubs

> Having carved a niche for itself by offering world class services, we
> offer \'Clubs\' to meet the specific needs of affiliated members.

### Doctor-on-Call

> Our trained medical personnel, on receipt of a call to this 24-hour
> helpline, ensure their presence at the patient's place in an ambulance
> with complete diagnostic/treatment equipment.

-   **Heritage Seniors Club**

> Elderly people need proper care and succor during the evening of their
> lives. They need a life of dignity and respect so that the last days
> are well spent. That kind of environment is assured by us.
> Self-respect,   independence and health of seniors is assured by a
> range of top class medical, social, legal and cultural benefits such
> as at-home health check-ups, supply of meals, housekeeping, regular
> meetings, etc.

### Home Care Nursing Program

> Studies disclose that the senior citizens pine for the warmth and care
> of home and family members and recover at a swift pace when they are
> in the familiar environs of their home. The other factor is the cost
> factor which is on the high side and many seniors cannot afford the
> same. To counter the same, we offer an innovative concept called
> \'Bedside Assistants (BSAs)\' through our sister organization -
> Heritage Livelihood Services Provider. The BSAs are basically
> non-medical staff, who belongs to those living below poverty line.
> They are trained to do vital checks, monitor and administer
> medication, check sugar levels, attend to personal care, feeling,
> assist in physiotherapy, etc., with special attention to working with
> the elderly.

### Food-on-Wheels 

> Where the sick patients are not able to cook, this useful facility is
> offered and the food cooked confirms to the best of hygienic norms and
> tastes. A continuous regular home supply of food by a cook under the
> eagle eyes of a qualified dietician is arranged. Heritage's cooked
> meals enable elderly eat and live healthy.

### Dial-a-Driver 

> Available for those who are not able to drive their own cars on busy
> streets, a vehicle driver is arranged on call. Under this scheme,
> senior citizens can dial for a driver for designated periods of time
> and the trained drivers take them where they want to go.

### UCH Heritage Healthcare

> This is a joint programme of Heritage Hospital and United Church
> Homes, a leading American healthcare provider with an impeccable
> reputation of over 88 years. The United States faces the problem of
> qualified nurses and paramedical professionals. India, with its vast
> and excellent talent pool, is well placed to fill up this gap.
> Training is offered by UCH Heritage Healthcare to Indian
> graduate/diploma nurses in full-time courses in
> CGFNS/NCLEX/TSE/TOEFL/IELTS/Spoken English. In addition complete help
> is rendered to enable the successful candidates migrate to the US.