Effectiveness of Social Welfare Schemes for the Elderly in RURAL Kerala, India

By 2050, India will be home to one out of every six elderly persons in the world. While life expectancy has improved, the changed socio-economic conditions have drastically altered the living conditions of the elderly in India. In this changed social set-up, old people face increasing incidence of age-related discrimination, ageism, elder abuse, and mistreatment, which militates against the norms of a civilized society. The least noticed of the destitute in India are the elderly. Most elderly struggle with low incomes and poor health. As income inequalities increase, it is  noticed that senior citizens are getting poorer and poorer. Social security thus becomes necessary. Further, inadequate public healthcare facilities and expensive private healthcare heighten the relevance of social security. In recent years, the social and economic policies of developed and developing countries are attempting to address social security needs.  India recognised the need for social security during old age quite early. The Indian Constitution guarantees social security in old age under its Article 41. But ideals have rarely translated into reality at the grassroots level.

Kerala has the most comprehensive safety net among Indian states for vulnerable sections in society. The Kerala Government’s social security schemes primarily target poor families. The elderly in Kerala suffer either by not receiving sufficient economic and/or physical support. The rising cost of living, minimal or no reliable employment opportunities and nuclear families are the culprits. Age-based prejudices and discrimination are now firmly embedded. There are more than 35 social security and assistance schemes that have been implemented in India. Therefore impact and effectiveness of social welfare programmes on senior citizens is assessed to sensitise the government and the policy planners for their mid-term corrections. This data was collected from 320 elderly persons in Trivandrum district in Kerala.