NITI Aayog unveils blueprint for transforming senior care across India

New Delhi, Feb 19: NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank, took a significant stride toward redefining the landscape of senior care in the nation with the release of a landmark position paper titled "Senior Care Reforms in India: Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm."

The global phenomenon of population ageing is rapidly reshaping societies worldwide, including India. With a decreasing fertility rate and increasing life expectancy, India's elderly population, currently over 104 million, is projected to reach 19.5% of the total population by 2050. This demographic shift brings forth numerous health, social, and economic implications, such as changes in labour markets, rising healthcare expenses, and evolving family structures.

The Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) 2021 report underscores the prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly, with 75% reporting one or more ailments. Additionally, a significant portion faces limitations in daily activities and experiences depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for comprehensive social protection and healthcare coverage.

However, challenges abound in catering to this demographic, including gaps in infrastructure, limited social support systems, and inadequate financial security nets. The absence of a cohesive policy framework exacerbates these challenges, leading to fragmented care and support systems.

Moreover, digital inequities have surfaced as a pressing concern, especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating the isolation and vulnerability of seniors. Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires concerted efforts to bolster infrastructure, enhance social support networks, and implement inclusive policies tailored to the needs of the elderly population.

Spearheaded by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Suman Bery in the presence of distinguished figures including Dr Vinod K Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, and Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) Saurabh Garg, and many other senior officials the release event marked a pivotal moment in India's commitment to enhancing the well-being of its senior citizens.

The comprehensive report outlines the current state of senior care services, illuminating the gaps and challenges prevalent in the existing ecosystem. By acknowledging the evolving medical and non-medical needs of seniors, the document sets forth a visionary strategy aimed at crafting a robust and integrated senior care policy.

The report gives an overview of the background, key trends, issues and challenges in detail. The report also deals with senior care transformation and service delivery priorities and finally, it talks about the way forward, efforts to ensure health, social, and economic empowerment, and inclusion. It also tackles how to engage the private sector and CSR. The only question remains how fast the changes suggested for the betterment of the senior citizens be accepted and implemented?

Addressing the audience, Vice Chairman Suman Bery highlighted the report's significance as a foundational step towards realizing India's aspirations encapsulated in the Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative.

He emphasised the imperative of harnessing technology and Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize senior care, urging stakeholders to consider the multifaceted dimensions of this endeavour beyond mere medical and social paradigms.

Dr VK Paul, Member, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for dignified, safe, and productive ageing. Emphasizing the pivotal role of family values in fostering a conducive environment for healthy ageing, CEO BVR Subrahmanyam commended the report for its insightful policy directives tailored to the Indian context.

Secretary Saurabh Garg of DoSJE highlighted the report's clarion call for action, emphasizing the imperative of prioritizing senior care. He delineated the department's overarching focus on enabling ageing with dignity, promoting ageing at home, and fostering productive ageing, underscoring the holistic approach encompassing social, economic, and health dimensions.

The main contents of this report are targeted interventions categorized under the domains of Health, Social, Economic/Financial, and Digital, aimed at empowering seniors and enhancing service delivery. By envisaging a nuanced strategy that accounts for the diverse needs of seniors, the report charts a course towards a more inclusive and compassionate senior care ecosystem.

NITI Aayog in its report suggests a holistic approach as India grapples with the challenges posed by its rapidly aging population. The report suggests that there's a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive reforms in senior care. Despite various governmental initiatives, there remains a significant gap in awareness among the elderly and their caregivers regarding available welfare support. Presently, senior care services predominantly revolve around facility-based medical care, with limited attention given to non-medical and home-based care.

Recognising the complexities associated with population ageing, the government has been actively implementing initiatives to address this demographic shift. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), in collaboration with various stakeholders, has been at the forefront of policy and program development for senior citizens. However, there is a pressing need to develop a conceptual framework, easy to adopt and addresses the multifaceted needs of the elderly, encompassing health, social, economic, and digital dimensions.

In the realm of health empowerment, there's a call for promoting health literacy among seniors and caregivers, bolstering geriatric healthcare infrastructure, and expanding teleconsultation services.

Initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan hold promise in catering to the healthcare needs of the elderly. Mental health services and emergency response infrastructure also require strengthening to ensure comprehensive care.