-More than 2.88 lakh elderly persons have benefited from care and support services

NEW DELHI, September 13 (H.S.): The Central Government has approved 142 new Senior Citizen Homes (old-age homes) across the country to ensure the health, welfare and dignified living of senior citizens. So far, more than 2.88 lakh elderly persons have benefited from essential support services, including shelter, nutritious food, health check-ups and physiotherapy.

According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the government is undertaking a range of measures to improve the quality of life of senior citizens, provide them with day-to-day care and enable them to lead independent and self-reliant lives. The newly approved Senior Citizen Homes will provide safe and dignified shelter to elderly persons who require care and support at the family or community level.

Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Sudhanshu Pant said on Sunday that 228 special camps had been organised across the country to enhance the mobility and self-reliance of elderly persons. More than 4.91 lakh beneficiaries were covered through these camps, while approximately 23.93 lakh assistive living devices were distributed free of cost.

According to Pant, eligible senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and low-income households have been provided with wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking sticks and spectacles. The provision of these assistive devices has provided significant relief to elderly persons in their day-to-day mobility and communication.

He said that the ‘Senior Citizens Welfare Portal’ was launched by the President to provide information about welfare schemes at a single platform. The portal has emerged as a common platform offering accurate information on government schemes, rights and facilities available to senior citizens.

The Secretary said the Ministry’s objective is to create a safe and supportive environment for elderly persons and empower them to live self-reliant lives through accessible healthcare and institutional care.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar