Senior citizens policy to focus on healthcare

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Saturday unveiled Senior Citizens Policy 2016, coinciding it with the International Day of Older Persons, with emphasis on social security, healthcare, food, shelter and recreation for elderly people. The government has also focussed on geriatric care and counselling service, day-care centres in the policy.
"The policy will address concerns of senior citizens in a holistic and equitable manner.In this policy, the emphasis has been given on healthcare, security, housing and emotional needs of elderly," said chief minister Naveen Patnaik said after the launch here.
The policy directs setting up of a state council comprising various departments and several non-government organisations, technical and advisory groups for effective monitoring and implementation of the policy.
The policy has highlighted that senior citizens will have barrier-free access to public places and have unrestricted access to financial and other resources through long-term savings and credit facilities.
"The state finance department has allocated around Rs 7.4 crore for the welfare of senior citizens in the state. We have planned to set up at least one old-age home in each districts," said Nitin Chandra, secretary, department of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Odisha has around 39.84 lakh senior citizens accounting for nearly 9.5% of the total population. Around 86% of them reside in rural areas and more than 45% live below the poverty line, official data reveal, pointing out by 2026 the senior citizens will constitute 13% of the population.