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Bolstering Geriatric Care: Evaluating India’s Strategy for Senior Citizen Welfare

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The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has scaled up support for the elderly through the expansion of residential facilities and the widespread distribution of assistive devices to promote independent living.

As India undergoes a demographic transition characterized by an increasing elderly population, the state’s role in ensuring 'active and healthy aging' has become a critical governance priority. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has recently reported a significant expansion in its welfare infrastructure, marked by the sanctioning of 142 new Senior Citizen Homes. This initiative is designed to provide institutional support for those lacking familial care, ensuring that the fundamental right to a dignified life is upheld for the vulnerable elderly. Beyond residential support, the government has focused on enhancing the functional autonomy of senior citizens. By distributing over 23.93 lakh free assistive living devices—such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and walking sticks—to elderly citizens from Below Poverty Line (BPL) and low-income backgrounds, the state is actively reducing the barriers to mobility and social participation. This approach aligns with the broader objective of promoting 'aging in place,' where the elderly can maintain their independence within their communities rather than being forced into institutionalization due to physical limitations.

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