Health Care of Senior Citizens in Indian Scenario

  • I.NTRODUCTION
    According to the constitution of India, public health and
    sanitation, is the responsibility of the state government. The
    constitution says every state is responsible for raising the level
    of nutrition and the standard of living of its people [1]. In India
    private sector is the primary source for health care. It provides
    70% of health care facilities in urban area and 63% of facilities
    in rural area [2], though this varies significantly across states.
    The quality of medical care in major urban areas of India is
    closer to first world standards. However, non-availability of
    diagnostic tools and inadequacy of professionals gravely affect
    the quality of health care in rural areas. According to studies,
    the main reasons for reliance on private sector is cited as
    inadequacy of staff in public sectors, waiting time for services
    and inappropriate operating hours [3]. It can also be inferred
    that reasons like long waiting time also apply to private sectors,
    which prevent them from getting a further bigger role in Indian
    health care scenario.
  • II. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
    India has a National Health Policy and the draft for its
    revision has been released for public consultation [4]. A
    nationwide universal health care system by the name National
    Health Assurance Mission, which would provide all citizens
    with free drugs, diagnostic treatments, and insurance for
    serious ailments was discussed recently [5]. It was later stalled
    due to financial constraints by the government, though plans to
    implement it are still underway. The universal health care
    system is intended at providing health and financial protection
    to all citizens. It provides improved access to health services
    and improved health outcomes [6]. The primary health care in
    the country focuses on immunization, prevention of
    malnutrition, pregnancy, child birth post-natal care and
    treatment of common illnesses. Specialized care for
    complicated illnesses is available in secondary and tertiary
    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.
Registered Senior Citizens : 3000+ | Total Medicines Delivered : 45,00,000+ | Total Families Secured : 1500+
+