SENIOR CITIZEN

By Bhaskara Sharma 7 Minutes Read

Definition

An elderly person[1], especially someone who has retired is a senior citizen. The term senior citizen is used as a polite expression for an old person[2].

Meaning

Senior citizens[3] are also known as elderly persons they can be simply referred to as seniors. Categorically, a senior citizen is a title given based on the age of the individual. A person who is 35 yrs old, for example, cannot be a senior citizen. Being a senior citizen[4] typically means that a person has attained an age of retirement from the work. They are transitioned from a working adult to a retiree.


Culturally speaking, a senior citizen is a person who is slowing down in their life. They are associated with having accomplished things like raising a family, having a career, or any other monumental feat in their adult life. These elderly people/senior citizens are considered to be wiser and more experienced people.


Economically speaking, a senior citizen requires financial support either in the form of retirement funds or savings or with the support of a caregiver. Since senior citizens can no longer work because they have retired, these people are dependent on their families that help them cover their expenses. As a result, seniors are often dependent on others for their welfare.


Medically speaking, a senior citizen is more prone to developing age-related health problems. Problems like Loss of mobility, hearing, and vision are the most common health issues these old aged people develop.

Usage

As per Indian laws, the age for senior citizens is 60 and above. The Indian government[5] takes a lot of initiative[6] for the senior citizens in India, including many benefits, priority, reservations, concession in various fields.

On January 13, 1999, to accelerate welfare measures and empower the elderly in ways beneficial for them, The Government of India approved the National Policy for Older Persons. This policy ensured the following –

  • Setting up a pension fund for which will ensure security for those persons who have been serving in the unorganized sector,Construction of old age homes and daycare centers.Establishment of resource centers and reemployment bureaus especially for people above 60 years to provide employment and work.Providing concession on the rail and airfare, for travel within Indian borders, a 30% discount in train fare, and a 50% discount on Indian Airlines.Enacting legislation for ensuring compulsory geriatric care in all the public hospitals.


The Ministry of Justice and Empowerment has set up a National Council for Older Persons, called the agewell Foundation. It will seek the opinion of aged senior citizens and will work on measures to make life easier for them. The Indian government has made Attempts to sensitize children in schools, to live and work with the senior citizens. The government is Setting up a round the clock helpline and discouraging the social ostracism of the senior citizens in the country.


The government has policies that promote and encourage a prompt settlement of pension, provident fund (PF), gratuity, etc. to save the superannuated persons from any hardships. The government also encourages to make the taxation policies senior citizen-friendly and sensitive. According to Sec.88B, 88D, and 88DDB of the Income Tax Act, there are concessions in tax for the senior citizens.


Organizations like the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) have been providing several schemes for the benefit of senior citizens, some of the initiatives are Jeevan Dhara Yojana, Jeevan Akshay Yojana, Senior Citizen Unit Yojana, Medical Insurance Yojana. Even the Former Prime Minister of India A.B.Bajpai launched Annapurna Yojana which is a scheme for the benefit of senior citizens in India. Under this yojana, unattended aged persons are provided with 10 kg of food grains every month.


Recently because of the outbreak of the COVID-19[7], The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare[8] issued a notification[9] which stated that elderly people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Also, the course of disease tends to be more severe in the case of elderlies resulting in higher mortality

Origin

The First Known Use[10] of the word senior citizen was in the year 1938.


[1] “Senior citizen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senior%20citizen. Accessed 17 Jun. 2020.

[2] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/senior-citizen

[3] https://www.seniorliving.org/life/senior-citizen/

[4] “Senior Citizens.” West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. 2008. The Gale Group 17 Jun. 2020 https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Senior+Citizens

[5] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-to-ensure-60-year-limit-followed-for-senior-citizen-benefit/articleshow/58326385.cms?from=mdr

[6] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/60-to-be-senior-citizen-age-limit/article18195678.ece

[7] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/post-covid-19-lockdown-protecting-the-elderly-is-crucial-say-experts/article31516590.ece

[8] https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/AdvisoryforElderlyPopulation.pdf

[9] https://www.cdc.gov/aging/covid19-guidance.html

[10] https://www.etymonline.com/word/senior

Bhaskara Sharma

Pursuing BA-LLB from Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad. I find peace in wandering through the new roads and capturing those moments through my camera. To keep myself creative I do content creation in the form of pictures and videos (photography and cinematography), I find pleasure in meeting and finding the best in people. Apart from my work, I also take great pleasure in listening to music, playing Lawn Tennis and enjoying travelling to different countries.

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