A position paper titled 'Senior Care Reforms in India: Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm' has been released by the NITI Aayog, calling for tax and GST reforms on senior care products to protect senior citizens from financial burden. The paper suggests implementing a reverse mortgage system, designing geriatric health insurance products, and involving the private sector in elder care. The goal is to design an effective and synergized senior care policy that recognizes the evolving medical and non-medical needs of seniors. The NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Suman Bery, emphasized the importance of technology and AI for senior care and the special dimensions of senior care beyond medical and social aspects. The paper estimates that by 2050, one in every four Indians will be a senior citizen. The senior care industry in India is currently valued at $7 billion and is expected to grow rapidly. The paper also calls for increasing awareness and literacy to protect the elderly from financial fraud and for digital inclusion to improve access to digital services for the elderly. The position paper categorizes specific interventions needed in terms of empowerment, service delivery, and their inclusions under four core areas: Health, Social, Economic, and Digital. The report aims to push the frontiers of senior care by recognizing the evolving medical and non-medical needs of seniors and designing an effective and synergized senior care policy. NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr. V.K. Paul emphasized the importance of technology and AI in senior care. Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment Saurabh Garg highlighted the focus on aging with dignity, aging at home, and productive aging.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated an AI-based tele-health facility at Gyati Takka General Hospital in Ziro. The facility aims to boost the health care delivery system in remote and rural regions of the state. Each rural health center will now have a virtual OPD with regular doctors and specialist doctors. The initiative leverages artificial intelligence, advanced imaging technologies, and Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices to enable health screenings, early disease detection, prenatal care, cardiovascular disease detection, and emergency care with virtual support from doctors. The facility overcomes geographical barriers and difficult terrains, ensuring that residents of rural areas receive timely and high-quality medical attention. The initiative demonstrates the government's dedication to providing quality healthcare services to all citizens.
Elder abuse is a significant concern in Kashmir, with 50% of seniors experiencing some form of abuse. The primary caregivers are usually adult children, but the pressures of modern life and lack of support systems can lead to unintentional neglect or deliberate mistreatment. The most common form of abuse is psychological abuse, often perpetrated by married sons. Other forms of abuse include physical, financial, and neglect. Elder abuse can lead to severe deterioration of health and long-term psychological consequences. Addressing elder abuse requires awareness, education, and support systems for caregivers.
In Hong Kong, Diana Kam, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Society for the Aged, shares that the Central Information System for Elder Abuse Cases received 318 reports in 2023 and 90 cases in the first quarter of 2024. However, the World Health Organization estimates that around one in six people aged 60 or above experienced some form of abuse in communities during the past year. Elder abuse is defined as a single or repeated act that causes harm or distress to an older person. The three major types of elder abuse reported are physical abuse, psychological abuse, and financial abuse. Professor Elsie Yan from Polytechnic University discusses the importance of awareness and understanding signs and symptoms of elder abuse, as well as the Happy Edward Project launched by the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences to support victims. They emphasize the need for proactive intervention and empowerment of seniors to seek help [2bc5f875].
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh commends PM Narendra Modi's call for responsible AI and cyber security. Singh highlights the importance of transparency, security, accessibility, and responsibility in AI, echoing PM Modi's remarks at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. PM Modi emphasized the wide-scale usage of technology for human progress and the importance of cyber security. Singh agrees that AI must remain transparent, secure, accessible, and responsible. The Manipur CM's comments were made on X, a microblogging site [45acab1b].
AI can improve the lives of older individuals by making technology easier to use, offering support and help when needed, and providing protection and companionship. AI simplifies complex tasks and improves usability, making it easier for older individuals to navigate and understand technology. AI can also assist in emergency situations by recognizing voices, making calls, and relaying important information to emergency services. Additionally, AI can help combat fraudulent and spam calls and alleviate loneliness by transcribing conversations, holding conversations, and providing companionship. Overall, AI offers numerous benefits to older individuals, enhancing their security and independence [f71be4e4].