Thiruvananthapuram: The 2019 Malayalam movie Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 is an engrossing story of a lonely old man’s bonding with a robot that his techie son working abroad sends him as a caregiver.
Leaving aside the storyline with its tail-end twist, the movie, directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval and featuring Suraj Venjaramoodu as the ageing widower, is an upfront marker of one of the most vital issues Kerala society has come to face — taking care of its elderly by ensuring them a safe, healthy and dignified life.
Apart from demographic dynamics and their impact on the economy, as well as social and family relations, the generational shift is set to pose serious challenges to the sustainability of the famed Kerala Model of development and welfare delivery, girded by social security guarantees in the form of welfare payouts and a statewide public healthcare network on which vulnerable sections overwhelmingly depend.
A snapshot of demographic shift
According to recent studies cited by demographers, the state’s elderly population is set to touch 75 lakh by 2031 from 49.98 lakh, as estimated in the 2011 Census. This marks a 12 per cent jump, pushing this segment to account for slightly over 18 per cent of the state’s total population. With the present trend persisting, this is expected to go further up to one crore by 2051, which will be around 30 per cent of the total population.
This trend is expected to continue due to the steady fall in the population growth rate, which is projected to slip into negative growth by 2051.
At the same time, the growth of the elderly population remains positive, thanks to the state’s commendable social development indices, such as higher life expectancy, which compares well with developed countries. Kerala boasts the highest life expectancy in India — 74.5 years for men and 77.8 years for women.
Increasing old-age dependency calls for reset of Welfare Model
For decades, starting from the mid-20th century, Kerala has been India’s reference point for population management and family planning.
The unfolding scenario, however, makes a compelling case for resetting the state’s social development and welfare model to equip its institutions to meet the demands of an ageing population.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, headed by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, has taken the lead in addressing the issue by announcing the formation of a dedicated Department of Elderly Welfare, claiming it to be the first of its kind by any Indian state. This was one of the first decisions taken by the government after assuming office, reflecting the urgency of the issue.
This was followed by a set of proposals in the state’s revised Budget presented by Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio.
The underpinning of the government’s strategy is to strengthen geriatric healthcare and security assurances for the elderly, including a state-backed medical insurance scheme. To begin with, a comprehensive survey would be conducted to elicit views, including those of senior citizens themselves, on how to move ahead with the plans. The Budget earmarked ₹10 crore for the initial operational needs of the Department of Elderly Welfare.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
But the real test ahead is how earnestly these proposals are going to be pursued. One core area that needs urgent attention is the state-run hospitals, which need to be reset to make them capable of delivering healthcare to elderly people. A thorough fact-check is immediately needed to plug the loopholes.
Also, the socially and economically disadvantaged sections need to be given hand-holding from government institutions, including elderly care facilities, making them more homely.
Giving scale to elderly care and welfare could also generate a large number of opportunities for trained caregivers, counsellors, palliative care professionals and startups.
Kerala has a long reputation for sending trained nurses to all parts of the world, not to speak of their services within the country. Now, the state also stands to benefit from the increasing demand for trained caregivers, not only at home but in other parts of the country and abroad, since an ageing population is a global phenomenon.
Rope in wellness institutions and non-profits
The government should also come out with a comprehensive policy framework for leveraging the goodwill of corporates and civil society organisations in elderly welfare.
Such a policy should envisage a prominent role for private wellness establishments in supporting the elderly.
Also, an apex state council comprising doctors, experts, social scientists, business leaders, high-net-worth NRIs and civil society organisations to advise the government on the delivery of elderly welfare programmes can be considered.
The corporate sector also needs to be tapped to ensure that elderly welfare becomes a prime segment of companies’ CSR activities.
Old is Gold
Proper old-age care does not mean permanently retiring senior citizens or confining them indoors all the time. That would only make their lives more insufferable.
Facilities for senior citizens should be equipped with avenues for recreation, including light sporting activities, to keep them physically active and creatively engaged. Film personalities too can extend their goodwill by visiting elderly care facilities and occasionally sharing a meal with the residents.
Also, the expertise of senior citizens could be tapped for the inclusive growth of the economy, as many of them have returned home after spending long years in professions that demanded high levels of expertise and planning.
Their experience across diverse fields can be leveraged to support the state’s startup ecosystem.
Giving the elderly a helping hand is not the responsibility of the government alone. Society as a whole owes them for their lifetime of contributions. Now is the time to reciprocate by making their lives a little more cheerful.
