Tips to Boost Your Nutritional Health

As you make food choices to improve your nutrition, keep these tips in mind:

Stick to healthy fats. Choose healthy fats found in seeds, nuts, avocados, fatty fish, and vegetable oils rather than saturated fats and trans fats.

Drink up. Water, of course. To stay hydrated, drink a lot of water and non-caffeinated beverages and eat foods with high water content (like soups, cucumbers, grapes, and melons) unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Opt for whole grains. These fiber- and nutrient-rich foods will help your digestion and protect your heart. Choose brown rice, whole grain cereals, and whole wheat bread instead of white bread and refined grains.

“Rough up” your diet. Include a variety of high-fiber foods every day, such as raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains. These foods help cut down on constipation; provide the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and nutrients that you need for healthy aging; help maintain your weight; and reduce your risk of heart problems. If you’re not sure you’re getting enough fiber, talk to your doctor about supplements.

Pack in protein. Power your body with lean proteins like beans, eggs, chicken and fish, lean meats, and nuts.

Remember that calcium is critical. Everyone needs calcium to protect bone health, but seniors should really bone up on calcium-rich foods like low-fat dairy products. A calcium supplement, usually paired with vitamin D — its partner in bone building — can also help you get what you need.

Shop for B12. As an older adult, you should also look for foods, like cereals, that are fortified with vitamin B12. Because of the body’s decreased ability to absorb B12, getting more through diet and supplements will ensure that you meet your requirements.

Now that you know what to do, you can make the necessary changes to your diet and a real commitment to your senior health. It's fine to start gradually: Exchanging junk foods for healthier options is a good first step. But try to make changes every day that will bring you closer to your goal of a healthy diet and supplements will ensure that you meet your requirements.

Reference link                                                                                            Visit Our Website

                                                                    

Elderly Depression

Elderly depression is a condition that is under-diagnosed. The primary reason why doctors, caregivers, and family members don't recognize it is because the symptoms of depression are different in seniors than in younger people.

Symptoms of Depression

Common symptoms of depression are:

• Feelings of deep sadness, hopelessness, and/or worthlessness
• Lack of ability to enjoy everyday life
• Difficulty concentrating
• Low self-esteem
• Headaches, constipation, or chronic pain. In depressed individuals, these complaints tend not to respond to generalized treatment
• Changes in appetite, such as a lack of interest in food or overeating
• Changes in sleep patterns, such as a difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep or sleeping more than usual

Symptoms of Elderly Depression

• Elderly depression can also manifest the following symptoms:
• Irritability
• Excessive worry
• Feelings of guilt or self-blame
• Headaches or muscle pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Stomach trouble or constipation

Risk Factors for Depression

• Certain life events may put an older person at increased risk for becoming depressed. These include:
• Death of a spouse or partner
• Retirement
• Major illness
• Lack of social contact/shrinking circle of friends
• Senior citizens with depression are also at an increased risk for problem with alcohol abuse, due to retirement and social isolation. Incidentally, some medications are known to cause depression, and seniors tend to take more prescription medication than younger adults. Another issue is that many of the elderly don't always take their medication as prescribed.

Getting Help

The first step in getting help for the possibility of elderly depression is to see a physician for a complete wellness physical. If the individual is withdrawn or confused, a family member or caregiver should accompany him or her to the doctor's office. Whether the senior goes to the doctor's office alone or not, the doctor will need a detailed medical history.

Be sure to tell the doctor about all medications being taken. This includes both prescription drugs and over-the-counter products. The easiest way to deal with prescription medications may be to bring the bottles to the appointment. Depression can be caused by the medications themselves. It can also occur as the result of interactions between different medicines.

If no physical cause for the symptoms is found, then the individual should be seen by a mental health professional. The best choice is someone who specializes in the care of seniors or a health care provider who has experience treating people in this age group.

Reference Link                                                                                             Visit Our Website

                                                               

Googling is good for the ageing brain

Could Googling actually be good for you? That is the conclusion drawn by researchers who believe that searching the internet could improve brain function – at least among older people.

A team from the Center on Aging at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that searching the web can stimulate the brain more than other activities such as reading a book.

In a study to be published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the researchers say they examined the neurological activity of adults aged between 55 and 76 as they conducted a number of tasks.

The study took two groups of older people, one picked for their knowledge of the internet, the other for being less technologically adept. The participants were then placed inside an MRI scanner and asked to take part in a series of activities including reading books and performing internet searches.

While both groups saw overall brain activity increase during the tasks, the internet-based assignments created a greater burst of activity in the web-savvy users. In particular, the researchers said, they stimulated areas of the brain linked to decision making and reasoning – producing up to twice as much activity as their technologically challenged counterparts.

Although the study group was small – just 24 subjects – lead researcher Professor Gary Small said he believed the findings showed that engaging with technology could have important benefits for mental fitness.

"The study results are encouraging: emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults," he said. "Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function."

Some technological gizmos aimed at older people have come in for criticism – particularly "brain training" games, which make explicit claims about helping keep the mind young by guiding users through mental gymnastics.

The craze led to millions of Japanese adults buying video game systems in order to play quizzes and logic puzzles. Since then heavy marketing from companies like Nintendo – which has used famous faces such as Julie Walters, Chris Tarrant and Johnny Ball – has encouraged millions of British adults to follow suit.

Elsewhere search engines such as Google have been accused of presiding over a dumbing down of information. Internet critic Nicholas Carr claimed websites were reducing levels of concentration and encouraging flighty behavior. That opinion was reflected by research showing that readers of academic texts on the web often engage in so-called "horizontal skimming" – reading a small portion and then heading off somewhere else. But Small said that his study showed using technology could have positive effects on the mind.

"There's so much interest in exercising our minds as we age," he said. "One result of this study is that these technologies are not all bad. They may be good in keeping our brains active."

Reference Link                                                                                           Visit our Website

                                                                  

Laws protecting the old people

In Dec 2007, A law was passed by Parliament, according to which Indians who neglect their ageing parents could be jailed. The government said that the law was passed as a large number of elderly are mistreated in the country.

The Government of India approved the National Policy for Older Persons on Jan 13, 1999 in order to accelerate welfare measures and empowering the elderly in ways beneficial for them.

This policy included the following major steps:

(i) Setting up of a pension fund for ensuring security for those persons who have been 

    serving in the unorganized sector

(ii) Construction of old age homes and day care centers for every 3-4 districts, 

(iii) Establishment of resource centers and re-employment bureaus for people above 60 years,

(iv) Concessional rail/air fares for travel within and between cities, i.e., 30% discount in train 

     and 50% in Indian Airlines.

(v) Enacting legislation for ensuring compulsory geriatric care in all the public hospitals.

In spite of several laws in place, the reality is that elderly people are the most ignored and harassed ones in the society. On International Day of Older Persons also known as World Elders Day, which is observed on Oct 1 every year, there is a need to sensitize the younger generation to love and respect their elders.

Reference Link                                                                                        Visit Our Website

                                                          

Army to have old age homes for ex-servicemen

Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh said here on Sunday that the Army would run homes for elderly ex-servicemen, who do not have anyone to look after them in their old age.

“We have prepared a new scheme under which we will open old age homes in every Command. The first such experiment is being tried out near Chandigarh in Panchkula where we are setting up the first such old age home. We shall see how we can run it,” General Singh said at a veterans rally.

Not a free service

The Army Chief said that it was not possible to run such facilities for free, but the ex-servicemen who wished to live in these homes could use their pensions to pay for the services.

General Singh was particularly appreciative of the efforts of the West Bengal government for its role on matters related to ex-servicemen welfare.

“In matters of ex-servicemen welfare, the State government has a special role. I wish to say that the Indian Army has received all cooperation from the West Bengal government in these matters,” said General Singh, who served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) in charge of Eastern Command before he took over as the Chief of Army Staff in May last year.

He recalled his meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before he left for New Delhi to assume office.

Mamata love for Army

“I had noticed she [Ms. Banerjee] has a special love and concern for the Indian Army. You must have noticed that this is why the West Bengal administration and its officials have a special consideration for us,” he said.

Despite General Singh’s high praise for Ms. Banerjee, there have been differences between her government and the Army over the project for the beautification of the River Front in Kolkata.

On being asked to comment, General Singh said: “On the issue of land, there are some orders from the Central government and we cannot deviate from them.”

He, however, said that the GOC of Bengal Area Lieutenant General A. K. Chowdhury was coordinating with the West Bengal government on the matter.

Reference Link                                                                                    Visit Our Website

                                                             

No wheelchair for elders at airport

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) collects Rs.45 per head from non-passengers for letting them enter the lounge of the newly built Rs.130-crore airport terminal building here.

But it does not provide as basic a necessity as a wheelchair to the aged and differently-abled persons.

Those who visit the airport, either to see off their friends and relatives or welcome them on arrival, have to either stand, however long it takes, near the entrance to the terminal as there is no seating arrangement in the place or purchase entry tickets to get seated in the lounge.

Despite choosing to pay a heavy sum for a seat, the aged and infirm are not provided with wheelchairs to facilitate their travel from the vehicles to the lounge. They are forced to walk down the entire stretch with the assistance of the railings because wheelchairs are offered only to passengers.

When contacted, an airport official said that non-provision of chairs near the entrance to the terminal was in accordance with AAI norms as none of the airports in the country had such a facility.

“Placing chairs outside the terminal would be like inviting trouble. It will be very difficult to control the crowd,” he added. On the issue of providing wheelchairs, he pointed out that it was not the AAI but the individual airlines concerned which were providing wheelchairs to their passengers. Either the airline staff or the ground handling agents of the airlines were entrusted with the responsibility.

“When it is the airlines concerned and not the AAI, which provides wheelchairs even to the passengers, who are our priority, then how can you expect us to provide wheelchairs to those who accompany the passengers? There is no such system in any of the airports,” the official said.

The official also said that the entry fee of Rs.45 was a “nominal” amount which does not match the amount spent by the AAI in maintaining the terminal and therefore such payment would not entitle the ticket holders to facilities such as provision of wheelchairs. However, an elderly woman, who had come to the airport recently, found it very difficult to hobble with a walking stick as the airport staff in the ticket counter expressed inability to provide her a wheelchair.

Reference Link                                                                                                    Visit Our Website

                                                                    

Four basic categories of fitness

By focusing on these areas, we can insure that we maintain our mobility - along with our strong bones and muscles - as the years go by and we have to make a decision between a high quality of life, versus deteriorating health, and even injury.

Strength - The scientific term for the loss of muscle and strength as we age is sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is not a disease that strikes randomly, it is a natural condition that will affect each and ever one of us as we age. In fact, some studies have shown that muscle mass declines by 4% each decade from age 25 to age 50. In addition to affecting our overall strength, this loss of muscle mass affects our metabolism, and can even affect libido in men.

Endurance - As we age the loss of aerobic capacity is a real possibility. Older folks can experience the 

exacerbation of existing pulmonary conditions, but the loss of lung capacity and endurance due to neglect and lack of exercise is just as likely.

Balance - Several hundred thousand seniors suffer broken bones every year from falling. Without a doubt, when it comes to avoiding accidents from falling, prevention is the key. There are any number of exercises - from yoga, to pilates, to simple balancing poses - that can get you fit, and keep you safe.

In addition to making sure you are getting the proper kinds - and amount - of exercise, the need for proper nutrition is just as important in your later years as it was when you were growing up. For most seniors, a balanced diet is still the best way to give their bodies what they need. However, most seniors find that smaller, lighter meals that are packed with vitamins are more important than the protein and carb heavy meals they needed when they were more physically active, and had higher metabolic rates. In addition to proper nutrition, most seniors - especially those with any number of pre-existing medical conditions - can benefit from adding nutritional supplements to their diets.

Get Started!

Many seniors interested in exercise can find that they have trouble getting started - or continuing with ongoing programs - and may need a little extra assistance. Fortunately, products like the Vibra Trainer Heart Rate and the Talking Pedometer with FM Radio, can offer the kind of assistance we all might seek, in a form that is specifically designed with the needs of seniors in mind. In addition, seniors who may need a boost in their diets can take advantage of supplements like Joint XI Supplement, Fiberrific Powdered Fiber, or any number of other products on the market that can give active seniors the advantage they need when it comes to staying active and fit.

Remember to always seek the advice of your physician when making changes in your diet or exercise regimen. With the right plan, the right attitude, and the right products to help you along the way, you'll be at the top of your game for some time to come.

Reference Link                                                                                              Visit Our Website

Social isolation 'increases death risk in older people'

Social isolation is associated with a higher risk of death in older people regardless of whether they consider themselves lonely, research suggests.

A study of 6,500 UK men and women aged over 52 found that being isolated from family and friends was linked with a 26% higher death risk over seven years.

Whether or not participants felt lonely did not alter the impact of social isolation on health.

UK says cuts to services for older people are compounding the problem.

It is not the first time that loneliness and social isolation has been linked with poor health.

But researchers wanted to find out if it was the emotional aspect of feeling lonely that was having an impact or the reality of having little social contact.

Those who were socially isolated - that is had little or no contact with friends or family - were more likely to be older and unmarried and have long-standing illnesses limiting their mobility, such as lung disease and arthritis.

People who described themselves as feeling lonely were more likely to be female and have a wider range of health conditions, including depression.

'Surprise' findings

Both social isolation and feeling lonely were associated with a higher chance of death.

But after adjusting for factors such as underlying health conditions, only social isolation remained important.

That risk did not change when researchers added in whether or not someone felt lonely in their isolation.

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers said they were surprised by their findings.

Study leader Prof Andrew Steptoe, director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care at University College London, said: "Social connections can provide emotional support and warmth which is important but they also provide things like advice, making sure people take their medication and provide support in helping them to do things.

"It would suggest that those practical aspects are quite important for older people's survival.

"There's been such an increase in people living alone. In the last 15 years, the number of 55 to 64-year-olds living alone has increased by 50%.

"And it might be that people in those circumstances aren't looking after themselves so well."

Michelle Mitchell, director general at Age UK, said: "This study shows more clearly than before that being lonely and isolated is not only miserable, it is a real health risk, increasing the risk of early death."

She added that cuts to local authority budget cuts may exacerbate the problem of isolation for many older people.

"Across the country day care centres, often the only regular social life that many older people enjoy, are closing, social care support which can enable older people to leave the house is being cut down to the bare minimum, and too many older people are hidden behind closed doors struggling to cope."

Reference Link                                                                                                     Visit our Website

                                                                  

No public amenities for the elderly

The Millennium City is all about youth and energy, pubs and fast cars. So it seems. And, what do the elderly population of this bustling satellite city do? Understandably nothing, since there are very little civic amenities available for the elderly in the city, whether it's the roads, or the transport options or the entry-exit points at government offices.

For starters, the volume and speed of the unregulated road traffic poses as a major hindrance for the elderly, both as pedestrians and as drivers.

"Motorists will have to learn to respect the presence of the elderly on the road. With age, the elderly have problems of diminishing vision, including ailments like cataract. Hence, high-beam driving at night must be strictly discouraged since bright light from oncoming vehicles easily hampers visibility, especially for the older people. The police must enforce laws strictly so that the elderly do not find it difficult to cross roads or drive around," said T N Ahuja, senior ophthalmologist and president, Niramaya Charitable Trust.

Similarly, when they are approached by the elderly with grievances, there is a need for Gurgaon's administrators to be especially sensitive and responsive to the elderly. Experts also feel administrators at government offices can easily minimize the visits of the elderly by giving them priority and by responding to the elderly as quickly as possible.

"This is a city which has great plans and dreams but those which are seldom executed. Officials are least interested to act and hence most of these plans become a part of files which are gathering dust in most government offices," said Mangat Ram Bagri, councillor, ward 10.

According to experts and activists, civic infrastructure in a modern city is never complete until it takes into account the concerns of the minority groups - women, the physically and the mentally-challenged and the elderly, among others. Public spaces, including public transport, should be accessible to everyone, including the old and the handicap.

Low-floor, wide-door buses, recreation and reading rooms dedicated to the elderly, doorstep public services on demand, people-friendly and prompt policing are some essential measures that a city must adopt, say concerned citizens. Unfortunately, Gurgaon lacks most of these basic amenities.

"This town is worst than a village with unmanageable traffic, rowdy auto and rickshaw drivers and dormant officials. It takes me close to one-hour-and-10-minute to maneuver my way from M G Road to Windsor Palace, a drive which should not take more than 10 minutes. There are committees being constituted every day but nothing seems to come through," said S K Dutta, former general secretary, Senior Citizen Council.

According to activists, a good starting point for this kind of change can be the active senior citizen forums in Gurgaon, who can initiate focused group discussions to identify the problems faced by the senior citizens, identify elderly-friendly features in the city, and list down everything that can improve the quality of life of the people in their evening years.

These efforts should be supported by the administration, say experts.

The Elderly In Public Spaces

Transport

Unlike the fleet of pink autos available for women, there is no special transport option available for the elderly in Gurgaon. For commuting, senior citizens have either the shared autos driven rashly from point to point or autos on call and commercially run autos.

Reference Link                                                                                            Visit our Website

                                                                  

Unique recreation centre for elderly comes up in Nagpur

If you thought the only way of socializing for the elderly was meeting at religious gatherings or dull card houses, think again. A one-of-its-kind short stay home cum recreation centre has come up in the middle of the city in the form of Golden Bliss Paradise at Sadar's Prestige Nursing Home.

The aim is to provide a home where the elderly can stay for short periods, interact with people of their age group and indulge in activities they enjoy. Moreover, it has been constructed in an elderly-friendly way with anti-skid floors, breakable doors with opaque glasses, call bells near beds and in bathrooms, railings and ramps. Being attached to a hospital, the health needs of the members will also be taken care of.

"It had been a long cherished dream of my wife Dr Abha and me to make this kind of a home. The third floor of my hospital had been vacant for over two decades for this project. I am happy that my son Dr Ankur had helped me complete it," said Dr Anil Jain, owner of the hospital.

With increasing number of nuclear families, life expectancy and youngsters living away from home, the elderly need some place to themselves among people of their age, believed Dr Ankur, proprietor of the home. "It is not just about sad stories. Sometimes, the elders in the family may not be up for an outing that the younger ones are keen on or may just want to be on their own for a while, doing things they enjoy," he said.

"We do not encourage the concept of residential old age homes, therefore this home is for short-term stays. However, there is a need to do away with the stigma attached to such shelters as it can be out of choice or convenience that the residents live there," said Dr Ankur.

Other than the physical health, the mental fitness of the residents will also be taken care of by means of outings, meditation, puja, reading and games.

Reference Link                                                                                      Visit Our Website

                                                                     

A wedding fair for senior citizens

A wedding fair for senior citizens looking for partners and live-in companions will be held at Matunga on April 7

All over the world, senior citizens are expected to settle down into quiet oblivion once they retire from work and cross the magic age of 60, silently watching as their families continue with their lives. In our country, however, the problem of ‘old age’ is compounded for those who lose a spouse to death or divorce – and the worst part is, we don’t want to hear our senior citizens say, “I’m lonely. I want to get married again.”

“With the trend of nuclear families increasing in our country, senior citizens are often left to fend for themselves. The country’s senior citizen population is increasing. Today, 10 per cent of all Indians are senior citizens – 10 crore Indians are over 60 years of age, and 12,00,000 of them are in Mumbai alone,” said Sailesh Mishra, founder of the NGO Silver Innings, which works for senior citizens in the country. He was speaking at a press conference held to announce a ‘Senior Citizens Jeevan Saathi Sammelan’, that will take place at Dadar Matunga Cultural Centre on April 7.

“When a senior citizen loses his or her spouse, he/she becomes really lonely, but they are not allowed to express it because society does not expect ‘old’ people to want a companion at that age,” Sailesh explained. “Research shows that while the longevity of senior citizens in our country is going up each year, women have been found to outlive men. But again, it is very difficult for a woman of that age to say that she needs a companion, that she wants to spend the rest of her life with somebody. We feel that senior citizens should also get the chance to find a suitable mate,” he said. To incentivise women’s participation in the Sammelan, all women who attend the meeting will be given basic train fare, lunch and a saree.

The Sammelan is the brainchild of Natubhai Patel (62), the founder-chairman of Vina Mulya Amulya Seva (VMAS) in Ahmedabad, which has to its credit 75 senior citizen marriages and the setting up of 25 live-ins all over India. “We decided to do  such a big meeting in Mumbai because our research says that 39 per cent of senior citizens living alone in this city are senior citizens. With rising crime against seniors, and the fact that their twilight years can be better spent with somebody of their choice, the Sammelan aims to have willing senior citizens meet each other and make an informed choice about the partner they choose.”

Sailesh added that women’s participation in such meetings has been found to be very low. “We want more women to participate. Through our counselling sessions, we find that most men are looking for companionship, while women look for financial security. At that age, marriage is not required for sex, but more for love and security.” On being asked if the organisers would ensure that no fraudulent members participated in the meeting, Sailesh said that all participants would be advised to carry out background checks before going ahead with the person they chose. ”We will only facilitate the meeting, apart from helping with legal advice and marriage counselling when required,” Sailesh said.

The Sammelan is not open to people below 50 years of age, or those whose partners are still alive. If divorced, the participant must produce documentary proof of the divorce, or if the spouse is deceased, the death certificate must be shown. An ID proof of age is mandatory. The Sammelan is open to widows, widowers, single people and divorcees, all over 50 years of age. The event is being organised by Rotary Club of Mumbai (Nariman Point), in association with Silver Innings and VMAS. Contact 099871 04233/ 09029000091 for details and registration.

Reference Link                                                                                              Visit Our Website

                                                                       

Seniors who play video games less likely to be depressed

New research out of North Carolina State University suggests a link between seniors who play video games and a healthier sense of well-being.

As reported this week in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, researchers surveyed 140 people ages 63 and older (the group's average age was 77) and placed them into one of three categories: regular gamers (at least once a week), occasional gamers (less than once a week), and non-gamers.

It turns out that those who were regular or occasional gamers reported higher levels of well-being and social functioning, while non-gamers reported higher levels of depression and negativity.

The study is small and the results only demonstrate correlation; it could be that those who elect to play video games are, for instance, healthier and more social to begin with than their non-playing counterparts. Also, it could be their interaction with friends or family members as they play video games, not the gaming itself, that boosts their overall mood.

"The research published here suggests that there's a link between gaming and better well-being and emotional functioning," says Dr. Jason Allaire, lead author of the paper, in a news release. "We are currently planning studies to determine whether playing digital games actually improves mental health in older adults."

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation.

Reference Link                                                                                            Visit Our Website

                                                                 

Govt. to hike old age pension

In what comes as a minor relief to the senior citizens, the government on Thursday stated that it would enhance the old age pension to Rs. 300 from the present Rs. 200 per month.

However, the pensions could be indexed to inflation, on the pattern of MG-NREGA wages, thus allowing increase in amount with price rise.

The statement from rural development minister Jairam Ramesh in the Rajya Sabha comes as elderly people from across the country stage protests at Jantar Mantar demanding higher pensions.

National Advisory Council member Aruna Roy is leading the protest under the banner Pension Parishad.

The government further stated that it is mulling universalisation of pensions by removing the BPL and APL distinction, as applicable now.

Changes could also be brought in widow pensions to cover widows above 18 years instead of present 40 years. People with 40 percent disability would qualify for disability pensions instead of 80 per cent as of now.

Though welcoming the announcement Roy said the government has to implement the changes immediately to pave way for further enhancement.

Reference Link                                                                                       Visit Our WebSite

                                    

                                                            

Defer old-age pension scheme till 2017: Panel

A government panel set up to review the government pension scheme has recommended delaying the monthly old-age pension scheme, aimed to cover an estimated 4.26 crore old and poor, till end-2017 that also marks the expiry of the 12th five year plan. It has also recommended that the pension amount be increased to Rs 500 per month - roughly 25% of the existing minimum wages - by 2017.

With the civil society - in the form of a federation of more than 100 groups called Pension Parishad — negotiating with the Union rural development ministry, the government is expected to take a call on the report soon. Sources suggest the government is likely to respond within the next couple of days, and make its stand clear.

The panel, while admitting that the government is obliged to link the pension benefits to minimum wages and delink it from outdated poverty lines, has recommended a staggered approach to rectify the low pension rates and coverage over the next five years.

The report notes that even if the government was to accept the much criticized poverty line levels of the Tendulkar Committee submissions, the monthly old age pension would ideally need to be fixed at Rs 950. Now, it is fixed at Rs 200 per month, and the panel has recommended raising it by another Rs 300 per month.

On the issue of total coverage, too, the panel has dithered from recommending the numbers it believes need to get pension support. The panel, headed by Planning Commission member Mihir Shah, has pushed for a staggered approach with the coverage being extended to an estimated 4.26 crore people only by 2017. It has noted that the use of old below poverty line (BPL) list has led to massive exclusion of deserving senior citizens. It has also acknowledged that the government has committed to doing away with the BPL criterion and shift to using an 'exclusion list' such as the one planned for the national food security bill based on the socio-economic survey.

Reference Link                                                                                            Visit Our Website