Mumbai: Survey reveals shocking details on treatment of seniors

Recent cases of senior citizens being abandoned or taken advantage of has once again shed light on the status of the older generation in our society Over time several studies have been conducted to determine the issues faced by the elderly and to understand the demographic social and economic conditions as well as the health needs of this strata of the society but very little about the real picture has been highlightedNo silver lining The survey also highlights that many among the elderly work out of necessity and often take up unskilled and lowpaying jobs These jobs offer no pension or retirement facilities which worsens their plight A recent survey supported by Tata Institute of Social Sciences TISS has highlighted the status of the elderly in seven different states of the country mdash Maharashtra Himachal Pradesh Kerala Orissa Punjab Tamil Nadu and West Bengal mdash all with a high percentage of population in the age group of 60 years and above compared to the national average The sample size of each state was fixed at 1280 and altogether 9852 elderly were interviewed from rural and urban areasAccording to the stats work participation rate among the elderly males in the country is as high as 39 per cent while that of women is 11 per cent Majority of the workers are in the 6069 age group and the work participation among those above 80 years of age is 13 per cent among men and 3 per cent among womenAlmost 71 per cent of the elderly work due to economical necessity and not by choice ldquoSince many are working out of necessity the study highlighted the unskilled and low paid nature of jobs that the elderly are engaged in Therefore pension or retirement facilities are not available to a large majority so they once again become helplessrdquo said professor Siva Raju dean of the School of Development Studies TISS He also added that in many cases the elderly women end up taking care of their family while other members are working therefore they have no financial independenceWomen bear the bruntWhile family has traditionally been the primary source of support for the elderly what is shocking is that about one in 10 elderly women live alone ldquoThe study highlights the vast difference in the social as well as economic status of elderly men and women Most women are also unaware of the various schemes available and end up living on the edgerdquo added Raju The findings state that about 80 per cent of the elderly coreside with their children or other relatives In addition about a quarter of all elderly receive money transfers from their nonresident children Most interviewees added that they prefer living with family or in their own house Only 03 per cent preferred living in oldage homesSadly one in 10 elderly have reported facing abuse after they turned 60 years of age Abuse is higher in rural areas compared to the urban areas with verbal abuse the primary form of violence ldquoWe find out that violence was reported highest amongst the elderly in Maharashtra However further investigation showed that this might be because of the vocal nature of elders in the state compared to other states There is a high need for support groups as well as social awareness in the society for the benefit of elders which is currently seen only in Maharashtrardquo said RajuWhile there are various schemes like the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme IGNOAPS and the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme available a significant number 70 per cent of the elderly were also aware of the same Sadly the utilisation of the same is very low especially among women Only 18 per cent elderly belonging to below poverty line are beneficiaries of IGNOAPS Awareness of the Annapurna scheme is fairly limited 40 per cent therefore only 35 per cent elders have made use of the schemerdquo said RajuIn the end the study highlights the need for social awareness as well as support groups to help the elderly live happily