Useful Information

India spends mere 0.032 percent of GDP on senior citizen: Study

State of India’s Elderly-2014As per the ‘State of India’s Elderly-2014’ report by HelpAge India, the country has 100 million elderly and by 2050 the figure is likely to triple to 324 million.

“But there are not enough dependable community support systems matching this growth,” said Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive Officer of HelpAge.

Justice Leila Seth, Chief Guest at the occasion, said “neglect, poverty and isolation” were the major issues affecting the elderly people.

“The elderly population is subjected to neglect and isolation. Losing one’s dignity can harm you more than ageing. Lack of love can be a bigger evil than lack of laws to protect you.

“Though elderly continue to face troubles across various strata, the problem worsens when poverty is thrown in,” she said.

The report also talked about the need for an effective pension system. “We have been fighting to regulate the pension system nationally with the introduction of universal pension, but it is a long road ahead vis a vis implementation,” said Cherian.

“We have approached Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the budgetary support to the segment ahead of the Budget Session,” he said.

The report states that the ongoing National Programme for Health Care for Elderly is being implemented in only 13 out of the around 600 districts of the country.

Read the original article here.

 

Oldest women (born in the 1800s)

Oldest Women
We can all agree that it’s a great feat to live to be 100 — but it’s an even greater feat if you live well, well past it. Believe it or not, the five oldest people in the world today were all born in the 1800s! These supercentenarians, as they’re called, have lived through world wars, the sinking of the Titanic, the space race and much much more.

Read the original article here.

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/worlds-oldest-people-1800s-secrets-to-long-life_n_6655570?ri18n=true )

 

Managing incapacities and sudden death – Part III

This is part-III of Precautions to protect assets after death.

Last willLeaving behind instructions to handle incapacities

A closed cover noted as confidential stating name and date could be kept along with will or given to a close relative or a friend after briefing the need for such requirements with a note on the following lines:

1. If I am unconscious or critically ill and revival will make me immobilized, I do not wish to be under invasive Medical / life support such as pacemaker, ventilator, but wish to leave this world naturally and peacefully. (Please do not institute any resuscitation measures).

2. In case of my suffering due to dementia I authorize Mr………………..( my son /brother-in-law/daughter/wife) to take decision on my behalf and I authorise him/her to operate my bank account and also act as my attorney to dispose /realize my assets.

Note: Your personal medical advisor may be consulted to frame the wordings to cover the content of above instructions to match the medico-legal requirements of the hospitals.

Instructions to handle sudden death:

The following important areas need to be covered and documented which should assist as a ready reckoner or a guide to the successors/ family members in managing the affairs on sudden death.
Persons above sixty years or with health problems are advised to prepare a Document/Ready Reckoner of Instructions and a format is suggested in the downloadable link:

Ready Reckoner

Precautions to protect assets after death – Part II

Continuing from Part – I.

Check list
Please prepare a checklist on first of January or first of April each year of various due dates for compliance and prevent any omission/loss/ inconvenence. This will not only help keep track of your compliances as you advance in age, it will be of use for your successors/relatives to take care of the responsibilities linked to assets in a systematic manner.

Note: One can include additional items to suit family/personal/business/official and other requirements.

DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST

Precautions to protect assets after death – I

Last will and testament Death is certain. When an individual dies suddenly, the family members will have to face problems if the individual, in anticipation of death, has not taken precautions and made arrangements to settle his affairs. While appreciating the inevitable truth that Death is certain, one also needs to understand and execute his responsibilities in anticipation of the event in the best interest of his loved ones and dependents.

Death could occur suddenly by accident, heart attack and so on or a person could become incapacitated, unconscious and unable to speak or function. While we pray that such a situation should not come to anybody, every prudent person should take precautions to explain all his ideas, position of assets, relationship with family members, financial details and other vital information and inform his family members and close friends so that the affairs and assets are properly managed. This responsibility is beyond writing a clear, complete and legally valid Will. Despite the will, there are likely situations that the successors, being unable to know details and whereabouts of assets, tend to lose the wealth and land in unwarranted hardships. What was earned and saved becomes waste! In the hours of death and grief, they would also be facing unwarranted difficulties due to lack of information and instructions in management of affairs. To overcome such avoidable consequences the following suggestions are being shared.

A. BEING ORGANISED IN PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL MATTERS:

It is in your best interest to follow the following points in order to keep your personal financial and legal compliance matters in an organized manner:-

a) All investments in FD, NSC, LIC policies, Bonds, Shares etc., are to be held in joint names and nominations are to be made for all such investments. It is also advisable to maintain photocopies of the documents along with an Investment Register being kept up-to-date as and when the investments undergo changes.

b) Keep a ‘Notarised’ photocopy of all the documents of immovable property. The original title deeds are to be carefully preserved. If they are very old or inherited take steps to get the name of legal representatives / beneficiaries in the revenue records. Obtain a legal opinion and keep the same along with the original title deeds to avoid difficulty in disposal because the rules and regulations are changed periodically and the same can be taken care of in time under advice of a competent advocate.

c) If there are immovable properties owned, please get the will registered with the help of an advocate. If the will is written in the handwriting of the testator the bonafides of the will cannot be disputed by the legal representatives. Please confirm that such handwritten will bears date and signature of the testator and two witnesses. It is advisable to choose family doctor and another person known to the family as witnesses to the will. Younger person as witness is preferred. Witness should be of good integrity to stand by the will if such need arises.

d) To avoid litigation for succession by questioning the will, Settlement of property retaining the life estate is advisable. Stamp duty for such instrument is at a concessional rate in some states.

e) A person living in isolation without spouse or issues will have to plan properly the disposal of their assets and belongings in advancing age and when they fall sick or have irreversible health problems.

f) Make it a practice to keep all important documents, title deeds of property, jewellery, FDs, Shares, Deeds, LIC policies other financial instruments and valuable assets in a safe place and periodically brief about the same to the close persons in the family.

g) If adequate precaution is not taken to enable the successors/beneficiaries to realize and enjoy the hard earned wealth, time and energy will be wasted in litigation besides delay in encashment of investments.

Source: The above article is Published in the Journal of August 2014 by Kanara Chamber of commerce & Industry

 

15 million elderly Indians live all alone: Census

15 million elderly Indians live all alone: CensusAlmost 15 million elderly Indians live all alone and close to three-fourths of them are women. In some states like Tamil Nadu the proportion of such ‘single elders’ is even higher with one in eleven of those aged above 60 living alone. One in every seven elderly persons in India lives in a household where there is nobody below the age of 60. In states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, a quarter of the elderly population lives in such all-elderly households.

This was revealed in Census 2011 data on the number of elderly people (above 60 years) and household size released this week. Of the nearly 250 million households in India, 31.3% have at least one elderly person. If we take away those elderly living alone or in elderly-only households from this number, just over 27% of households or 68 million households have elderly living with younger members. In almost 70% of households there is nobody above the age of 60.

To read the original article in the Times of India, go here. (  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/15-million-elderly-Indians-live-all-alone-Census/articleshow/43948392.cms )

India ranked 69th by Global AgeWatch

Age WatchThe Global AgeWatch Index 2014 has ranked India a lowly 69th among 96 countries it has ranked on how friendly the countries are for senior citizens.

It performs best in the enabling environment domain (52), a significant increase from its 2013 ranking (72) due to an increase in sense of civic freedom (77%) and satisfaction with public transport (69%).

It performs moderately in the capability domain (55), with near the regional average values for employment (55.8%), but low values for educational attainment among older people (20.3%).

It ranks low in the income security domain (71), with poor pension income coverage (28.9%). However, it has low old age poverty (5.1%) and high relative welfare for its region. It ranks lowest in the health domain (87), with below regional average values on all health indicators.

Life expectancy at the Age of 60 in India is estimated to be 17 years, while the estimated number of healthy years is on about 12.6.   Only about 28% of those above the age of 65 receive any pension and the rest are dependent on their own savings or their children.

The most worrisome finding is that the country does not seem to have any clear National policy on ageing.  Unless concrete steps are taken in defining a national level policy on ageing, it is going to be very difficult to see any great improvement in India’s ranking in the future.  With the pressure of increasing population in this segment, things can easily go downhill very quickly.

The top 10 countries to grow old is are:

  1. Norway
  2. Sweden
  3. Switzerland
  4. Canada
  5. Germany
  6. Netherlands
  7. Iceland
  8. USA
  9. Japan
  10. New Zealand

For a more detailed anaysis, go here.

(https://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/population-ageing-data/country-ageing-data/?country=India )

Jashan – An event for senior citizens

Jashan – An event for senior citizensBhiwadi – NCR township on NH 8 is all set to host 2 days senior citizen sports and culture activities. ‘Jashan’ as the event titled, is a unique initiative by Active senior living a retirement housing venture of Ashiana Housing Limited. The 2 days extravaganza on will take place on Sep27- 28, 2014 will witness participation of over 500 Senior citizens from Jaipur and Lavasa retirement communities. Some of the key sports activities being took place during ‘Jashan’ will be table tennis tournaments, badminton, chess, a mini marathon besides sports activities there are competitions like flower arrangements, salad making singing, dancing. On the second a glittering ramp show, showcasing the theme of Bride & Groom will be organised where senior citizen will walk the ramp.

Commenting on this unique initiative of Ashiana Housing, Ms Amita Shaw, a resident as well as the coordinator for the event say’s, “A life spent working hard to make a living, caring, protecting and nurturing children: senior citizens have given it all. Ashiana Housing Ltd dig out some precious moments for senior citizens to rejoice golden years of their lives by announcing two day extravaganza “Jashan”

The event holds some special activities to make two days the most memorable in the lives of senior citizens. This occasion will give them a reason to unite and cherish and will leave a delightful impression on the hearts of senior citizens. ‘Jashan’ will provide them a perfect platform to share their experiences and memorable moments of post retirement life.

Welcoming the occasion, Mr Vishal Gupta, Managing Director, Ashiana Housing Ltd says, “We are happy to see the excitement and the dedication of our residents for this event. We look forward to this annual event.”

The two days extravaganza will take place at Utsav Bhiwadi on Sep 27-28, 2014.

Old is Gold Store in the News

KungumamKungumam – A Tamil Magazine brings out another magazine/supplement called Thozhi and they recently brought out an Independence Day issue covering many aspects of senior life in India.

Two articles came in the issue relating to Old is Gold Store.  One was an interview with Jayashree – one of our Directors and the other about Udhavi, a volunteer based organization that we are part of.

 

 

 

Here are scanned images from the magazine.

Kungumam

Kungumam