II. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
revision has been released for public consultation [4]. A
implement it are still underway. The universal health care
to all citizens. It provides improved access to health services
and improved health outcomes [6]. The primary health care in
hospitals situated in district or state headquarters. The toughest
challenge is getting quality health care in government hospitals
due to large number of people needing health care and the lack
of sufficient facilities.
III. HEALTH CARE IN FIRST WORLD
Universal health care in most countries has been achieved
by a mixed model of funding, though primary source of
revenue remains taxation. Most of the European systems are
financed through contributions from public sector and private
sector. The non-government funding is obtained by making
contributions compulsory by employers and employees and
also by non-sickness funds [7]. In Singapore no medical care is
provided free of charge and in the government sector treats
patients like private patients without any subsidies. The
government follows a policy of compulsory savings and
payroll deductions to meet the financial cost and this is ranked
among the most successful systems in first world [8]. In the
United States of America most of the health care is provided by
private sector insurance companies and considered as one of
the most expensive systems in the world [9]. The salient
features of all these models are the accessibility of health care
facilities to the large population and also the special care
provided to the elders of the country.
V. HEALTH OF SENIOR CITIZENS
According to United Nations, a person above the age 60 is
considered as an old person. Though this definition cannot be
applied universally, a person above the age of 60 is considered
as a senior citizen for most purposes [10]. One of the sensitive
issues in global health care scenario is the health of senior
citizens. People are more susceptible to diseases while they get
older. Most of them may have limited or no access to health
insurance. The absence of long term policies for health care
adversely affects the quality of life. The care for senior citizens
involves fulfillment of the special needs and requirements
unique to them. This will include assisted living, adult day
care, nursing home care and home care. In different cultures,
health care of senior citizens is perceived in different ways.
People prefer government established elderly care in most
European countries and US, while in Asian countries older
people prefer traditional method of being cared by younger
generations of family.
A. In Developed Countries
The older population is 39.6 million in United States in the
year 2009. This constitutes 12.9% of the U.S. population [11].
Many of the large service providers of facilities for the elder
people are owned by government in USA. Most of them are
managed as for-profit businesses. But there are exceptions also.
Though most elders prefer to continue to live in their own
homes, most of them gradually lose functional ability and
require either additional assistance in the home or a move to an
eldercare facility [12].
In Canada, elder care is done by both for-profit and non-
profit facilities. Government funded public facilities are run by
Ministry of Health or cost of facility is subsidized. Elders may
pay based on income, on a sliding scale [13].
In Australia, the system is designed so that every citizen
can contribute as much as possible toward their cost of care and
the rest is paid by the government [14]. The Commonwealth
Government passed a Living Longer, Living Better
amendments of 2013, according to which assistance is
provided in accordance with assesses care needs, with
additional supplements available for people experiencing
homelessness, dementia and veterans [15].
B. In India
According to the cultural view of India, it is the duty of the
children to take care of their parents in the old age, courtesy to
its strong family relations and bondage unlike other countries.
Elderly citizens are viewed with high regard and traditional
values demand honor and respect for older, wiser people [16].
The elderly population of India is increasing tremendously with
a current estimate of 90 million over the age 60. According to
India’s 60th National Sample Survey, almost one fourth of
India’s elderly population suffers from poor health. This
reports of poor health is more clustered towards the under
educated, economically lower class [17]. Though homes and
volunteer care for elderly care are provided in India by NGOs,
people prefer to go for governmental facilities.