Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-01
Subject: Negligence of Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE, B.N. CHANDRAPPA, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 344 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2015

## 344. NEGLIGENCE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI RAOSAHEB DANVE PATIL: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the population of senior citizens living in destitution in the country, Statewise;

(b) whether the Government is aware that a large number of elderly people are living i n pathetic condition due to constant neglect by kith and kins and lack of safety measures for them

(c) if so, whether the Government is contemplating to formulate any scheme/policy for such people;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/mechanism adopted by the Government to safeguard senior citizens ensure better living conditions through provision of adequate healthcare for elderly pe

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FO R SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA )

(a):  No  authentic  data  regarding  Senior  Citizens  living  in  destitution  is  availabl Ministry.

(b) to (d):  The Government is aware that some of elderly people are living in patheti due to constant neglect by kith and kin. Ho wever, no authentic data is available in this rega The Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens 2007  which,  inter - alia,  makes  maintenance  of  parents  /senior  citizens  by  their  child relatives  obligatory and  justiciable  through  Tribunals;  provides  for  revocation  of  trans property  by  senior  citizens  in  case  of  neglect  by  children/relatives;  penal  prov abandonment of senior citizens, medical facilities for senior citizens, medical facilit for senior citizens; and protection of life and property of senior citizens.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two detailed advisories dated 27.3.200 30.8.2013 to all State Governments/UTs advising them to take immediate measures to e saf ety and security and for elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence a persons  through  initiatives  such  as  identification  of  senior  citizens,  sensitizati rehabil

personnel regarding safety, security of older persons regular visit of bea tstaff; setting up of toll free senior citizen helpline; setting up of senior citizen security cell; verificati helps, drivers, etc.

(e):  Under  the  Central  Sector  Scheme  of  Integrated  Programme  for  Older  Persons  (I financial assistance  is  provided  by  the  Ministry to  eligible  Panchayati Raj  Institution/ Non Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations for maintenance of old age homes, respite care day care cetres etc. including, inter - alia, programmes catering to the basic need s 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  p roviding dedicated health care facilities to senior citizens (above 60 years of age) at primar and tertiary health care delivery system.

The basic aim of the NPHCE is to provide separate and specialized comprehensive health ca the  senior  c itizens  at  various  levels  of  state  health  care  delivery  system  including services.

The major activities of the NPHCE are:

i.Setting up of Geriatric department in identified Regional Geriatric Centres (RGC) w care  service  and  30  bedded  Geri atric  ward  for  providing  indoor  services.  RGCs  will  al undertake PG Cour ses in Geriatric for developing Human Resource.

ii. Setting up of Geriatric units at all District Hospitals that will provide speciali bedded Geriatric Ward will als o be set up for providing indoor services.

iii. Establishment of Rehabilitation unit at all Community Health Centres (CHCs) and clinic twice/week.

iv.  Setting  up  weekly  Geriatric  clinic  by  trained  medical  Officer  at  Primary  Healt (PHCs).

v.  Information  Education  Communication  (IEC)  on  health y life  style,  home  care  to  the  bed ridden and supportive devices for the need y  ld rly 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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