Kerala: The Indian state trying to ensure no one grows old alone
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Kerala government established a dedicated department for elderly welfare to address the challenges of its rapidly ageing population.
Background
Kerala is identified as India's fastest-ageing state. The new department, headed by Dr. Rathan Kelkar, focuses on community-based care, 'social prescribing,' and volunteer networks to ensure elderly citizens remain integrated into their communities.
Facts for Prelims
- FactKerala is currently the fastest-ageing state in India.
- S&TSocial Prescribing: A holistic approach where healthcare providers refer patients to non-clinical community services like social groups or volunteer networks.
- PostDr. Rathan Kelkar is the head of the newly established elderly welfare department in Kerala.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the socio-economic challenges posed by an ageing population in India and evaluate the efficacy of community-based welfare models in addressing these issues.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Demographic shift: Rapidly increasing dependency ratio necessitating structural shifts in healthcare and pension systems.
- Social isolation: The psychological impact of 'invisible' ageing and the need for community-integrated support networks.
- Infrastructure gap: Transitioning from institutionalized care to home-based and community-centric service delivery models.
Keywords: Demographic transition · Social prescribing · Ageing-in-place · Community-based care · Vulnerable sections
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.