31 Jul 2023 SCHEMES FOR ELDERLY CARE
SCHEMES FOR ELDERLY CARE
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “SCHEMES FOR ELDERLY CARE”. The topic “SCHEMES FOR ELDERLY CARE” has relevance in the Social Justice section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
About SAGE Portal?
About the Silver Economy?
Objectives of Sacred Portal?
For Mains:
GS 2: Social Justice
About Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)?
Outcomes of AVYAY?
Other Initiatives Related to Elderly in India?
Why in the news?
The Minister of State for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted the achievements of SAGE Portal and SACRED Portal.
SAGE Portal
Purpose of SAGE Portal:
- Encouraging entrepreneurs and start-ups to invest in the burgeoning “silver economy” segment.
- Fostering innovation in elderly care solutions.
Stakeholders Served by SAGE Portal:
- Entrepreneurs and start-ups interested in elderly care solutions.
- Senior citizens and their families seeking products and services catering to their needs.
Government’s Role:
- Facilitator in enabling the elderly to access products and services offered by identified start-ups through the SAGE Portal.
- Providing equity support of up to Rs. 1 crore per project for selected start-ups through the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).
- Government’s equity in the start-up does not exceed 49%.
Silver Economy:
- The term “silver economy” refers to the system of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services that specifically cater to the needs of older and aging individuals.
- This economic framework aims to utilize the purchasing potential of senior citizens and address their consumption, living, and health-related requirements.
- Gerontechnology plays a vital role in this paradigm, as it involves developing and implementing technologies that are beneficial and relevant to the elderly.
SACRED Portal: Empowering Senior Citizens for Re-employment
- Empowers senior citizens by providing opportunities for re-employment.
- Matching System:Utilizes a virtual matching system to align preferences and skills of senior citizens with private enterprises seeking experienced individuals.
- Benefits for Senior Citizens:Helps them find suitable job options matching their preferences and skills. Thus, Enables them to attain financial security and reduces dependence on external support.
Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): Holistic Support for Senior Citizens
Components of AVYAY:
- a. Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC):Supports Senior Citizens Homes providing shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment for indigent senior citizens.
- b. State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC):Provides grant-in-aid to States and Union Territories for activities like creating a pool of trained geriatric caregivers and conducting special cataract drives.
- c. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY):Offers assisted living devices to eligible senior citizens with age-related disabilities to enhance their bodily functions.
- d. Elderline – National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC):Toll-free helpline (14567) offering information, guidance, emotional support, and field intervention in cases of abuse.
- e. Senior-care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE):Encourages youth to come up with innovative ideas for elderly care and promotes them into start-ups by providing equity support.
Outcomes of AVYAY:
- Approximately 1.5 lakh beneficiaries residing in Senior Citizen homes.
- Total grants in aid worth Rs. 288.08 crore released in the last three financial years, benefiting 3,63,570 individuals.
- Improved quality of life and social integration for indigent elderly individuals.
- Promotion of an inclusive society valuing and respecting senior citizens.
- Promotes “silver economy” and generates employment, fostering economic growth in elderly care innovation.
Other Initiatives Related to Elderly in India
- National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP):A policy framework to address the welfare and concerns of senior citizens.
- National Social Assistance Programme:Provides financial assistance to elderly individuals, among others, living below the poverty line.
- Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY):A pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens, providing them with a regular income.
- SAMPANN Project:No information available in the previous response. Please provide more context or check for the latest information on this project.
Q.1 Which of the following are the components of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)?
- Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)
- Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
Select the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Q.2 Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the initiatives related to elderly care and empowerment in India?
- The SAGE Portal provides equity support of up to Rs. 1 crore per project to selected start-ups.
- SACRED Portal empowers senior citizens by offering them suitable job opportunities through a virtual matching system
- The Silver Economy is a system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services targeting older and aging people.
Select the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Q.3 Discuss the initiatives taken by the Indian government to support senior citizens and promote the silver economy. Highlight the role of the SAGE Portal, SACRED Portal in addressing the needs and challenges of the elderly population.
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