World Senior Citizen Day is celebrated every year on 21st August.
- First celebrated: 1991.
- Founded by: Former US President Ronald Reagan, who signed Proclamation 5847 on 19th August 1988, declaring 21st August as National Day of the Third Age.
Theme (2025): “Empowering Elderly Voices for an Inclusive Future”
- Focus: Ensuring dignity, participation, and empowerment of senior citizens in decision-making.
- Aim: Create inclusive societies where older persons are active contributors and their voices influence development.
Other International Observances
- International Day of Older Persons– Observed on 1st October every year.
- Established by UNGA Resolution 45/106 on 14th December 1990, first observed in 1991.
- Focuses on ageing issues and is linked to the UN Programme on Ageing.
Significance in India
- Elderly population growth (Report of Technical Group on Population Projections, July 2020):
- 2011 Census → 103.8 million elderly (8.6% of population).
- By 2031 → 193.4 million elderly projected.
- Highlights urgent need for policies on healthcare, economic security, social integration, and infrastructure.
Challenges Faced by Senior Citizens
- Health Care: Chronic illnesses, lack of geriatric care, mental health issues, rising healthcare costs.
- Economic: Limited pensions, dependency, income insecurity, difficulty in post-retirement employment.
- Social: Isolation, elder abuse, social exclusion, digital divide.
- Infrastructure: Lack of elder-friendly housing, mobility barriers, inadequate public spaces.
- Legal & Policy: Weak protection, low awareness, bureaucratic hurdles.
Key Government Schemes & Initiatives for Senior Citizens
Department of Social Justice & Empowerment – Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY)
- Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Homes for destitute elderly, elderly women, dementia patients; Mobile Medicare Units; Physiotherapy Clinics; RRTCs.
- State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC): States/UTs to prepare action plans.
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Free assisted-living devices for BPL senior citizens.
- Livelihood & Skilling:
- SACRED Portal → Re-employment of senior citizens.
- AGRASR Groups → Elderly SHGs for social reconstruction.
- Promoting Silver Economy: Up to ₹1 crore for start-ups/entrepreneurs for elderly care solutions.
- CSR Channelization: Funds for old-age homes, day care centres.
- Awareness & Capacity Building:
- National Helpline (Elderline) – Toll-free 14567.
- Awareness drives & sensitization programmes.
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)– Ministry of Rural Development
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Monthly pension (60–79 years).
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): For severely disabled persons.
National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE)– Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Comprehensive healthcare at primary, secondary, tertiary levels.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)– Ministry of Finance
- Guaranteed pension scheme for poor/unorganized sector workers after age 60.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
- Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016: Elder-friendly, barrier-free infrastructure.
- Urban Bus Specification-II, 2013: Low-floor buses with wheelchair spaces.
- PM Awas Yojana (Housing for All): Priority to elderly for ground/lower floor allotments.
- DAY-NULM: Shelters for urban homeless, including elderly.