| Popis: |
The greying of the global population has become a matter of concern for planners, scientists and the common man alike. In simple terms, the greatest challenge ahead is formulating appropriate and customized responses for the ‘needs of the elderly’. It is in this background that a study was commissioned by HelpAge India in 2016 to explore further strategies and pilot initiatives in the state of Kerala, which is much ahead of other states in India. Goal of the study was to develop informed frameworks and models for transforming Kerala to an ‘age-friendly’ state as a pilot age-friendly initiative in India. Kerala’s demographic transition from a state with high mortality and high fertility to one with a low count in both of these outpaces that of the rest of the country by 25 years according to Kerala Development Report of the Planning Commission in as early as 2008. Currently at 14% of the total population of Kerala, the number of those above 60 years is expected to reach 40% by the end of 2061. The declining birth rates and the migration of the young, coupled with the increase in life expectancy to an average of 72 years, Kerala is fast ageing with a greying population and increasing demands on the fiscal, health and social security mechanisms. Institutionalization of state government schemes/projects takes its own time. It may be noted that the age-friendly initiatives will lead to action in grass-roots level for senior citizens through day centres. Ultimately, the day centres will be converted into Agecare Service Centres of Government where all actions related to senior citizens will be coordinated by the people, of the people, for the people (ESHGs in rural and SCAs in urban will lead the action). ‘Age-friendly initiatives’ will do groundbreaking work into making ‘ageing’ a wonderfully productive period of life. |
