Making it Better for Senior Citizens - Solutions Needed

The immediate need of the non covered & unsecured Sr Citizens above 70 0r 65+,is monthly pension of Rs.2500 p.m & medical aid in the shape of medical check up ,medicine ,treatment or Mediclaim Policy,that cannot be purchased even by well to do Sr Citizens.Long ago we had suggested to the BJP & Finance Minister to Utilise atleast 5000 Cr, the Unclaimed Deposits for the last 15-20yrs ,with Banks ,LIC, EPFO & other Govt Deptts & Orgns to provide for old age Pension& make provision for payment of medical bill of atleast Rs1000 to 65+,Sr Citizens to start with.This will be good start to serve & help the needy Sr Citizens,may take it as paying off "Pira Rin". Secondly we should also associate the Sr Citizens with the nearby Yoga Class in their locality & help them maintain good health with no cost. more  

Sri Devender has best notified the needed care and the existing provisions for Salaried and businessmen who cover only 30 % to 40% of our population. The discussion raised due to the issues visualized and experienced by the balance 60 to 70 % Old Age individuals really suffering in the Society other than Metropolitan & other Cities. more  

I am almost a senior citizen who has worked mostly in the corporate sector. Most of the issues flagged above are non-issues if one has planned for his retirement well in advance. The principles for making life comfortable in old age are as follows: (a) Public Provident Fund and NPS are excellent pension schemes by the Government and one can contribute to such schemes during earning phase of his life cycle. (b) Health Insurance Policy subscribed in younger age can be continued even after the age of 60 with additional premium. (c) Persons working in private enterprises are also eligible for pension through EPF Scheme, even though it is a small amount. Employer contributes 12% of the salary towards the Employee Provident Fund, which becomes available to the employee after his retirement and can be used to purchase annuity. In fact for first three years after the retirement the amount can be maintained in the account to earn tax free interest of 8.75% per annum. (d) One should not depend on children as they have their own lives, destinies, likes and dislikes. One should plan for independent existence without much support from them as well as leaving part of your assets for them without compromising with your life style in old age. (e) If no opportunity of earning available in Metros, sell your house and move to a location where housing is cheaper, climate is good and health care facilities are available. No point in exposing oneself to highly polluted environment without any economic gains. The difference in the price can be either used to have a better house or generate surplus cash for investment or healthcare in old age. (e) Do not hesitate to move into a luxury or economy senior citizen facility (these are available now near Metros and even in smaller towns), which offer a good quality of life to senior citizens. Many Indians are averse to moving into such facilities as they fear that other will think that their children have abandoned them. (f) The concept of reverse mortgage has been introduced in India and clarity has been provided on taxation of such transaction. Use this facility to meet your expenses on health care and maintaining a balanced life style. Let your children pay the debt and get the mortgage released if they are interested in your residential house. REMEMBER EVEN GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES. ONE CAN TAKE A HORSE TO THE WATER BUT CAN'T FORCE HIM TO DRINK. THERE ARE ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES OR OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO MAKE LIFE COMFORTABLE IN OLD AGE. ONE HAS TO PLAN WELL AND BE DECISIVE IN ONE'S APPROACH. LOOKING UPTO THE GOVERNMENT OR CHILDREN IS NOT THE SOLUTION. more  

Root causes and issues listed above are appropriate as of now. Additions / deletions possible if something takes off. When I say 'takes off" it is about the quality and responsibility level of the government servants/staff. Before going ahead with major changes absolutely essential to the society, the existing hurdles in the system should be removed. As of now 90 to 95% of departments and ministries are handled by the irresponsible clerical cadres with no concern to quality, time, schedule, consistency of service. This should be changed first, at any cost. IAS,IPS.IFS,IRS etc are another qualification of an individual which does not gauranty & responsibility. Three or four officers sidelined last year should be stripped of their qualifications and such action should be continuous. Then, out of fear the the top cadre will change, to survive , will force lower cadres to work. If done on priority to clean the rusted government staqff, anything planned will function. My opinion is Modi / cabinet to clean secretrary level, secretary levcel to clean dy secretary level and so on. Besides, discontinue the decorative postings given to Indian cadres, which is basically to sideline the inefficient. Best thing is to strip the cadre and get rid of them with no perks. I strongly believe and expect many will agree with me that strong measures taken on Indian cadres will show very good result during the year itself and the years following with consistency. THAT IS THE NEED OF THE TIME. more  

Wonder what the Govt. thinking on Sr. citizens with disability together with multiple diseases. There should be a debate inside Parliament on those Sr. citizens.There should NGOs to the service of those Sr.citizens. more