Elders International Day
By S Saraswathi
Another International Day has gone by, this time it was for elder persons, on October 1. This year’s theme was designated by the WHO as “Take a Stand Against Ageism”. It was intended to rouse everyone to consider ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age and the detrimental impact it has on older people.
India is presently proud of the much publicised demographic dividend it is blessed with. The age-structure of its people with a large working age population is unlike many advanced mostly western countries facing ageing population. Still, it has its own share of problems relating to the elderly, some of which need urgent action.
The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution relating to WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health in May 2016. It called upon the organization to develop a Global Campaign to combat ageism and achieve the ultimate goal of enhancing the day-to-day experience of older people and optimize policy responses.
Ageism in this context is a problem of the elderly related more to treatment and attitudes towards them rather than providing for their physical welfare. India still has not dealt with care of the aged physically and has to go fast to catch up with the pace of the world organization.
Ageism denotes stereotyping and discrimination on the basis of a person’s age. It was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler and was patterned on sexism and racism and implies a negative image of the elderly. He used it to depict three inter-connected inequalities – prejudicial attitudes towards older persons, old age, and ageing process; discriminatory practices; and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotype ideas about elder people.
A resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 called upon member-States to have a legal instrument based on holistic approach in the fields of social development, human rights, and gender equality to provide security to the senior citizens.
Security in the case of the elderly includes, in terms of this legal instrument, both “rights” and “dignity”. Theoretically, both aspects are well protected in India – rights through some legislations and also by tradition, and dignity by the common family structure and values. Problems of the elderly today are due to fading away of traditional status of elders, changes in family structures, and the demands of changing societies widening generational gaps.
In 1991, the UN General Assembly had adopted 18 principles pertaining to elder care grouped in five categories, namely, independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment, and dignity. In the same year, first International Day of Older Persons was observed. The Second World Assembly on Ageing held atMadrid adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action in 2002 which addressed key challenges in building a society “for all ages”. India has endorsed the plan.
The census organization of India has estimated the population of 60+ group in 2016 as 103.9 million, that is, 8.6 per cent of the total population (8.2 % among males and 9.0 % among females). The percentage has grown from 7.4 recorded in 2001 census and the number 77 million. It is expected to reach 324 million by 2050, which will be 17 per cent of the total.
Senior group (above 80 years) among the older will number about 48 million. The rate of growth of 60+ group will be far higher than the rate of growth of over-all population. One-eighth of the senior citizens of the world will be in India.
The average life expectancy at birth in India was 37 years in 1947. It rose to 64.6 years by 2000 and has presently reached 69.3 for females against 65.8 for males. At the age of 60, average remaining life is expected to be 18 years – 16.9 for males and 19.0 for females. Old age dependency is rising faster than the rate of decline in child dependency. Progress in medical science produces some quick results to increase longevity, but population control measures take time to produce results.
Estimates of projections made by different agencies do vary. But, all estimates point to the end of the present youth bulge and the demographic dividend available with growing working age population. They also indicate a major transformation in the age structure of the population. This means, in conventional thinking, a drastic change in various characteristics of the Indian population – workforce pattern, family structure and functions, inter-generational relations, dependency ratio, migrations, etc.
India adopted the National Policy for Older Persons in 1999 with the professed aim of strengthening their legitimate place in society and helping them “to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity, and peace”. It provided for financial security, health care, shelter, welfare and other needs, protection against abuse and exploitation, and opportunities for participation and development of the potentials of the older persons.
The policy remained on paper and hence arose the need for a revised national policy in 2011. It aimed at strengthening the family system to play the role of primary care giver for the elderly and incorporated a range of welfare measures to provide minimum standard of living for all.
In 2007, the Maintenance and Welfare of the Senior Citizens Act was passed under which it is mandatory on the part of children to look after their parents in old age. This Act puts the primary responsibility for the maintenance of parents on their children, grand-children, and even relatives who may possibly inherit their property. Violation of this responsibility is punishable with imprisonment or fine or both. State governments are to open old-age homes and reserve beds for the aged in hospitals.
Not many seem to be aware of this law. And the well informed who are aware of their legal rights are not likely to take to legal course to assert their rights or to fight abuse by their own children. Parental bond and the notion of family honour are strong restraining factors that make laws inappropriate to determine parents-children relationship.
Policies, programmes, and legislations generally seek to cover the elderly under social security schemes. What is sadly ignored is the contribution the elderly people make in every field of activity.
The age 60 recognized generally as the age of retirement is not really so. The entire female population which is running their homes doesn’t and cannot retire until they are bed-ridden. Their work includes baby-sitting in rich and poor households, at home and abroad – work that demands extraordinary stamina. The self-employed and those in unorganized sector continue till they break. Pensioners look for second employment. A Cabinet consisting of members in the age-group 60-80 is considered an achievement of youth power.
The very concept of “dependency ratio”, which is the proportion of 60+ group to 15-59 age-group is misconceived. It is after the age of 60, most persons make their maximum contributions to their families and to society and become most useful members with their knowledge and experience whether at home or work place.
To classify them as “dependants” is the worst insult that must be immediately removed by national and international policy declarations. What we need is “an age-integrated society”, which seeks to enhance “interaction between generations” and give up age criteria where it is irrelevant. —INFA
(The author is former Director, ICSSR, New Delhi)