In a significant statement, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, emphasized the pressing need for institutionalized care for the elderly, stating that it is unavoidable in the current scenario. The comments were made during the 4th ASLI Ageing fest, organized by the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI).
Key Points:
- Shifting Perspectives: Dr. Garg acknowledged that while the traditional concept of aging at home is deeply ingrained and culturally accepted, institutionalized care is increasingly becoming a necessity. He emphasized the inevitability of this shift in mindset as the proportion of elderly individuals is expected to rise significantly.
- Government Initiatives: Over the past decade, the government has actively addressed issues related to senior citizens. Dr. Garg highlighted the government’s focus on those who are financially unstable and mentioned the operation of more than 640 old age homes across approximately 360 districts.
- Dignified Ageing: The Secretary stressed the importance of ageing with dignity, whether at home or in institutions. He called for the preparation of an inventory for the future, providing options for elderly care based on financial capability.
- Training Caregivers: The government is actively involved in training caregivers, with plans to train 1 lakh caregivers within the next three years. This training is crucial to ensure the well-being and proper care of the elderly population.
- SAGE Program: Dr. Garg highlighted the success of the Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine (SAGE) program, which encourages entrepreneurship in the field of elderly care. The program has received 90 applications, showcasing innovative solutions for elderly care.
- Gender-Specific Solutions: Dr. Vinod Paul, Member of Niti Ayog, emphasized the importance of considering the specific needs of elderly women, who constitute 50% of the elderly population. He urged companies in the elderly care sector to focus on providing affordable gender-specific solutions.
