Elders comprise over 11 pc of population, but Tamil Nadu has no policy for the aged

They are weak and vulnerable, face the risk of exploitation in various forms. Though the senior citizen population in the State is second only to neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu is yet to formulate a policy that can address many important aspects from social security to healthcare to ensure that the benefits and schemes reach the population uniformly, 

rued experts.

Terming the delay by the State in coming up with a policy has been disappointing, Edwin Babu, joint director, HelpAge, Tamil Nadu, said the authorities here seem to have been waiting for the National Policy to be renewed. “The State can look at its own requirements and come up with a tailor-made policy to suit their needs. Now it seems like they are waiting for the policy to in every aspects that can be applied specifically for the State,” he pointed out.

If a policy is in place, it would ensure universal pension and uniform services like every district hospital having a geriatric care expert and government run old age homes, 

he noted.

Though one out of every 10 persons is an elderly, only about 5-6 per cent of them are employed in the organised sector. For the rest, the options are limited, Babu added. “They either have to work till their last breath or ensure that they save enough money to see themselves through their later years,” he said.

When dependency is high, there are chances of exploitation and abuse, he remarked. HelpAge, which is on the panel for deciding the policy at the national level, has therefore recommended a standard pension of Rs 2,000 for the elderly. While there is dependency, there is also a growing population that is alone, as their children have migrated to other States or countries, said experts.

D Rajasekaran of Tamil Nadu Senior Citizens’ Association (TANSECA), an organisation that has more than 3,000 life members across the State, said that problems of the senior citizens vary in rural and urban areas. “In urban centres like Chennai, there are retired people who find enough opportunities for a second employment with the skills they have acquired. 

Even illiterate persons are able to find employment as watchmen. However, in rural areas, elderly women in particular suffer a lot, as they are seen as a burden in a household that is already struggling to make ends meet. Healthcare, food and shelter, which are extremely important for the section of population in the districts, are absent. There aren’t enough opportunities either, which make their struggle pitiable,” he said.

Rajasekaran, who assisted the State in drafting a policy, said that it has been put in cold storage for the last few years. “A policy alone is not enough; we also need programmes to support it. But they don’t seem to be ready for it,” he said and added that apart from taking some leads from the National Policy on Older Citizens, the proposed policy covered aspects, including travel assistance, special buses and more reserved seats. There was also a recommendation to start a separate commission to look into the welfare of the citizens. “We had also highlighted that Rs 1,000 pension for a select group wasn’t enough, and how even that wasn’t reaching everyone,” he said.

When contacted, officials at the Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme, admitted that work on the policy has been long drawn but assured that it would be expedited soon. “It will cover the broader aspects of elderly care, social security and medical needs and requirements of the population,” said K Manivasan, Social Welfare department secretary. 

Tamil Nadu was the first State in India to start geriatric care in the government health sector way back in the late 70s. Dr VS Natarajan, who pioneered the speciality at a time when no one had thought about it in the country, said that the increasing life expectancy has brought with it its own set of issues, necessitating a policy. “There is more disability than disease, as a result of cataract, retinopathy, stroke and dementia that make them more vulnerable. We also need long term care units at districts to take care of the ageing rural population,” he said.

Dr Natarajan, whose foundation has been promoting house call programmes and meals-on-wheels facilities for the past few years, observed that with government intervention, facilities like Amma Canteens can take the efforts forward. “We have the subsidised eateries in several localities that can cater to the food requirements of the elderly. A nominal delivery fee can ensure that even the senior citizens who cannot walk all the way to the canteens can avail of the services,” he added.

While Dr Natarajan has ensured vaccine cover for the senior citizens numbering around 20,000 in the state, he is also batting for community care centres.