Category: Blogs

The service delivery of Social Welfare Schemes in India are a combination of National Level and State Level funding and implementation.

While there are multiple Social Welfare Schemes however one of the flagship program is: The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).

NSAP is Administered by Ministry of Rural Development and is implemented by State Govts / UTs.

NSAP has 5 main components;

1) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
2) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
3) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
5) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
5) Annapurna

NSAP is 100% funded by the Central Govt with the option for top-up/add-on contribution by the States, however the additional support is the State prerogative and decision.

For Senior Citizens, the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is the primary Central Govt scheme which is often supported by additional State contribution.

Many States have their Independent financial support schemes for various categories of citizens, however most of them are targeted for citizens in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

If anyone wants to help the poor and underprivileged Senior Citizens then they can help them by educating them about their rights and eligibility to avail such initiatives.

Pankaj Mehrotra

👫 When Parents hold a Child’s hand it’s called Child Care but when children start holding their parents hand, it’s called Elderly Care.

🥗 When Parents tell children to eat food on time it’s called Child Care, but when Children start telling their parents to do the same, it’s called Elderly Care.

🧑‍🦯 When Parents tell children to walk carefully on the road it’s called Child Care but when children start telling their parents the same, it’s called Elderly Care.

📺 When Parents tell children to restrict their Television time it’s called Child Care but when children start telling their parents the same, it’s called Elderly Care.

🕵️ When Parents tell children to be careful about dealing with strangers it’s called Child Care but when children tell the same to their parents, it’s called Elderly Care.

💊 When Parents tell children not to forget their medication it’s called Child Care but when children start telling their parents the same, it’s called Elderly Care.

🪜 When Parents tell children to be careful while climbing stairs it’s called Child Care but when children start telling their parents the same, it’s called Elderly Care.

⏰ When Parents keep calling children to check on their safety it’s called Child Care but when children start doing the same, it’s called Elderly Care.

When children leave the house it is a heart break but when Parents leave, then families break.

Pankaj Mehrotra

How difficult or easy is Caregiving for Older People? In my opinion it is fun for a few days but post that it is not a game, it is a stretch and a stress.

The larger point of debate is, is Caring for older people a job, a responsibility or a duty? I guess it’s a combination of duty and responsibility.

Caregiving stress comes in different packages like depression, irritability, anger or denial. The question is how do we handle such situations? Do we become collateral damage or evolve as more empathetic individuals?

Internationally there are support groups where carers meet regularly and share their feelings, stress, tensions etc, but then what are we doing in India on this subject.

Not everyone has the maturity to handle caregiving stress for extended periods of time, sometimes we all need support and guidance, but then where is the support and counseling for such things.

Elderly Care is not just about Independent Living and Assisted Living Facilities, it is much more complicated than most of us think.

Family Caregivers have no escape route, respite care can help but then to what extent? Caregiving for infinite period of time can be caustic and acidic which starts corroding our relationship with the person who needs Care and with other family members.

Dependency on others in old age is often seen as an ego buster and loss of dignity, especially for those who have been independent and self-reliant all their lives, but then that’s when the circle of life gets completed.

We at Elderly Care India are trying to highlight and advocate for the larger cause of Ageing in India and Developing Nations which is being done through multiple channels like website, social media, experts interviews and service providers, that too completely free of cost.

Pankaj Mehrotra

Over the years multiple Governments have tried to rehabilitate the beggars community but then, most often these professionals go back to begging.

Professional beggars or professional begging in not a new profession in India, in fact this industry also has its own celebrities and star performers.

While on one hand, most of us feel sympathetic towards beggars and at times take pity and wonder why an able bodied person is begging, especially when he or she could work in a white collar environment.

If one does a deep dive into understanding the industry of begging, it will be an eye opener for most people. Begging is similar to other professions and other sectors, but unfortunately there are other dynamics at play due to which rehabilitation schemes are not successful for this sector.

Most beggars do not want to get into a proper job or get rehabilitated, probably because a lot of beggars are substance users which brings them back to the dark alleys and the streets for their daily fix, hence a sheltered program does not suit them.

One one hand the begging industry has its own share of opportunities and challenges, but then, does that mean they should be excluded from the Social Welfare Schemes?

In a recent compilation of All India Financial Support Schemes for Senior Citizens, it was a surprise to see that one State Government has an exclusion criteria for Professional Beggars. To be honest, this raised a few eyebrows.

As per the “Old Age Pension” scheme of West Bengal, professional beggars are excluded from taking financial support from this particular scheme, which sounded rather strange to me (not sure if they qualify under any other schemes).

The general impression about professionals involved with begging is that, these are poor and destitute people hence they are living on the streets, but then, the question is, could the torn clothes, muddy faces be the official dress code or simply a lifestyle option.

I guess the answer is not that simple, simply because education, poverty, employment, health care, social welfare are all inter-linked for which the government can do their part but then the citizens too have to do theirs.

Pankaj Mehrotra

As they say, “Age is just a number”, probably it’s true to a high extent. Our frailty may impact the ageing bones, but then the wrinkles of experience are the picasso paintings of our mental agility.

The good old days of retirement life where seniors were seen as old furniture and kept in one corner of the room is fast changing. The new age crop of oldies (pun intended) are the rocking chair, they are not the ones to just sit around the whole day and read newspapers.

The larger point of debate is, is there a cut-off age to leave our youth behind or the concept of active ageing is actually increasing with each decade?

What I see is that different economic and social groups in India are exploring their own avenues to remain young. A lot of seniors are indulging in new hobbies, have started travelling more, have started organising parties and many other activities.

The shift from being dependent to being independent is becoming a reality. In today’s day and age, seniors want to live their life on their own terms, which is independent of their children. They don’t want interference or too many suggestions from children and do not want to step on each other’s shoes.

In a nutshell, seniors are no more the archives in a library, they are the books in the library which people want to read.

As it is said, Don’t judge a book by its cover is probably true, because age old wisdom is found only in the dusty books and not on WhatsApp.

The future of Aged Care may be cloudy but that does not mean that the Sun is not shining.

India’s Elderly population is larger than the combined population of multiple countries in Europe, which means there is a humongous demand and supply for Eldercare.

The recent gold rush by the private sector in the Geriatric Care arena is proof that like every other industry which has gone through the development cycle, it’s time for Old Age sector to grow.

The larger point of debate is, while on one hand it’s a positive sign to witness this rush to milk the cash cow called “The Seniors” but then how many of the newbies are actually trained and knowledgeable in the subject of “Care for the Elderly”?

For any industry to grow in a structured manner, it is important to have consumer and business friendly policies, standards and guidelines. The differentiating factor between boys and men will eventually be the ethos, pricing, professionalism and subject knowledge of Ageing between the service providers.

As a Nation we still have a long road to reach the destination but then without experienced and trained navigators it will be difficult for the corporate drivers to complete this cross country race of Eldercare all by themselves.

The shining Silver wallet in the Golden pocket might look attractive from far, but then not every wallet may contain moolah.

Pankaj Mehrotra

2 Senior Citizens died last year in a fire at a Care Home in Delhi as per this article: https://lnkd.in/gzHXtE-W

The Care Homes / Assisted Living industry in India is almost 23-25 years old, but then, it is still practically unregulated and unregistered.

While on one hand, majority of Care Homes are or have been unsure about the applicable Building Code to be registered under, due to which most of these facilities have been running under the code of Guest Houses, Hotels, Hostels or Clinical Establishments.

There is no rocket science in understanding the different requirements for a hotel, guest house or an Elderly Care Facility, yet as a Nation we are probably used to the term “Sab Chalta Hai” (everything works).

The rampant growth and mushrooming of Eldercare facilities without any structured guidelines, standards and training can have an adverse effect on the Industry as a whole.

Eldercare is not just about real estate and brick and mortar, it is human lives which are at stake, but unfortunately the overall impression is that, fancy seminars, conferences and fine dining social interactions will solve this burgeoning National issue.

While Google and ChatGPT are always there to help create Vision and Mission Statements but then, unfortunately there is a lack of structured education at the Policy level as to, what is Aged Care and how should India plan for its Elderly and also lay the foundation for our own future.

Pankaj Mehrotra

What is caregiver stress and how do people cope with it?

Is caring for a child and caring for an older person different?

Why do we normally associate caregiver stress with our parents and not our children?

How does caregiver stress impact people and how does it affect our mental well-being?

Do people become spiritually inclined towards liquid spirit or spirituality due to the stress of caregiving?

India is a unique combination of cultures, economic backgrounds and family structure, especially when it comes to older people and their caregivers.

The larger point of debate is, over the years it is going to become even more expensive to hire caregivers because of which the role of caregiving will fall on family members.

How and where will caregivers find the support when they require care themselves?

Will caregivers take help of Spirits, Spirituality or succumb to the pressure one day and become collateral damage?

As a Nation we need to create more support systems for caregivers so that the balance between Institutional care and family care is maintained.

Pankaj Mehrotra

The Ageing process is funny because till the time the competitive clock is running we keep chasing it, but the moment we realise that the clock is not going to stop, we try reversing the dials.

In our rush to reach the top of the mountain most of us forget that there is only one way to come down, that is to actually come down, which is somewhat similar to the biological process. No matter what, the bones will become weak and the skin will get wrinkles.

The larger point of debate is, do our priorities change as we grow older and if yes, then why?

What has age got to do with the quest for success and being number One? Is it a natural process for survival or is it a systematic programming by our parents and society at large?

While on one hand; money, fame, success is important to chase in life otherwise most of us would probably become yogis but then how come all these elements lose their shine when one is sick and/or on the death bed?

Why does the crisp green notes and all the glittering gold become irrelevant when we have no one to talk to especially family members and children?

In my opinion, the world focus is slowly taking stock of all work and no play, because people are realising the importance of relationships, bonding and a happy life along with financial security.

Over the past few years, I have seen that as we age the most important factor in life becomes to remain visible in family and in community, but unfortunately many older people are simply shut in the closet because they are seen as old furniture which cannot be displayed in public.

These days the independent oldies don’t bother about what the younger generation will think of them, they are not here to impress anyone, the only thing they want is to be productive, live a happy life and let others live.

Pankaj Mehrotra

The festive season requires a bit of melodrama and reminiscence in order to remember the good old days.

Life without background music is like a boring radio program, but then, the moment we add emotional toppings like “salted tears and spicy love” it becomes a typical bollywood movie.

On a recent visit to my father’s college (Indian Military Academy, IMA), he was nostalgic to show us the place where he made life long friends, learnt about camaraderie and honour.

While all that was good to learn and hear, what he probably missed out sharing with the children was the non-official version of his college days. Being the son I have a reasonable idea how he must have lived 65 years ago, I am sure it was no different than how we lived when we were in our 20s.

The larger point of debate is, how does festival season impact the mindset of older people? Do they enjoy the same as younger people or is it ‘Just another day in paradise’?

I guess the answer is a bit complicated; festival season may be a time to feel happy but then, how can parents enjoy without their children especially if the children are alive and don’t have time for their parents?

Relationships are complicated but eventually it’s the first step of calling up to say ‘Hard to say I’am sorry” which I guess is the most difficult thing to say in life.

As generations grow so does the generational gap, no wonder we now have Gen X, Y, Z, AA, AB…. but then, while on one hand parents always feel that, “I’d Do Anything for Love (but I Won’t Do That)” whereas for most children it is “Sail on Sailor “.

To summarise, this is purely an advocacy post for our own future, forget the oldies because they are learning to survive on their own, the question is, will our generation be able to survive on our own without love and happiness???

Pankaj Mehrotra