What difficulties do older people in a youthful population like India face? Describe the main policy provisions that are targeted at this particular population category.
What older generations can learn from our generation (except technology): Adaptability and resilience: Our generation has grown up in a rapidly changing world, and we've learned to adapt quickly to new situations and challenges. Older generations can learn from our ability to be flexible and resilieRead more
What older generations can learn from our generation (except technology):
- Adaptability and resilience: Our generation has grown up in a rapidly changing world, and we’ve learned to adapt quickly to new situations and challenges. Older generations can learn from our ability to be flexible and resilient in the face of uncertainty.
What we can learn from older generations:
- Patience and perseverance: Older generations have lived through times of great change and have developed a strong sense of patience and perseverance. They can teach us the value of taking the time to build strong relationships, to work hard, and to persevere through difficult times.
- Life skills and practical wisdom: Older generations have a wealth of practical knowledge and life skills that they’ve acquired through experience. They can teach us how to cook, garden, fix things, and manage our finances, among other things.
- Emotional intelligence and empathy: Older generations have often developed high emotional intelligence and empathy through their life experiences. They can teach us how to communicate effectively, how to listen actively, and how to understand different perspectives.
- Appreciation for simplicity: Older generations often have a simpler approach to life, which can be a valuable lesson for our generation. They can teach us to appreciate the small things, to live more simply, and to find joy in everyday moments.
- Storytelling and oral history: Older generations have a wealth of stories and experiences that they can share with us. They can teach us about our family history, cultural heritage, and the importance of preserving our collective memory.
According to the Census 2011, India has nearly 8% population having age 60 years or above. Economic Survey 2019 highlights that while India as a whole will enjoy the 'demographic dividend' phase, some states will start transitioning to a to an ageing society by the 2030s, and the share of the elderlRead more
According to the Census 2011, India has nearly 8% population having age 60 years or above. Economic Survey 2019 highlights that while India as a whole will enjoy the ‘demographic dividend’ phase, some states will start transitioning to a to an ageing society by the 2030s, and the share of the elderly in India will continue to rise steadily to nearly double to 16% by 2041.
Challenges faced by the elderly population in India:
Taking into account the demographic explosion among the elderly, the changing economy and social milieu, advancement in medical research, science and technology and high levels of destitution among the elderly rural poor, a National Policy on Senior citizens was adopted in 2011. Other key policy provisions in this context are:
The government should create an environment that provides senior citizens with equal opportunities, protects their rights and enables their full participation in society so that this potential ‘elderly burden’ converts into a ‘longevity dividend’. This will require investments in health care as well as a plan for increasing the retirement age.
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