TIPS FOR SAFETY OF SENIOR CITIZENS

                                                   Safety and security of the elderly, especially those living alone are a concern. Not only to themselves, to their families and to the community in general too. Due to various reasons older persons are at times constrained to live away from their families and loved ones, which makes them particularly vulnerable to safety and security hazards. This is unfortunate.

                                                  Due to their physical weakness and lonely status, senior citizens are easy targets for criminals – especially in urban surroundings. They are more likely to be exploited by the unscrupulous. At times they are the butt of anti social behavior – verbal abuse, vandalism, unprovoked assault, abusive behavior intended to cause fear or distress. They could be victims also of threats from their own relatives, domestic help or servants, landlords, tenants, strangers, thieves or intruders. They are often exposed to accidents or mishaps even within the house.

                                               Living alone can increase feelings of vulnerability and anxiety about personal security and of the home environs. Consequently, it is necessary for the family and the community – as also the old folks themselves, to be aware and to worry about these issues; to know the solutions, and take possible precautions that would ensure security.

                                                                                            The Police since long devised its Senior Citizens Scheme, considering it to be a moral duty. It believes safety and welfare of the aged can be ensured by innovative and sympathetic approach. The scheme envisages measures to ensure safety for those above 65 – couples or singles staying alone. Those staying within the family group or with relatives are not covered. Through this scheme it is endeavored to pay back a debt by extending due assistance to needy seniors who in their time have contributed much to society, each in his/ her own way.

                                                                         In the envisaged scheme, the police have taken steps to identify vulnerable senior citizens in each of their localities. Special care is ensured by frequent visits to them not only by the Beat Constable or the Division Officer, but also by the officers at senior levels including the SHO, the Assistant Commissioner or even the Deputy Commissioner of the area. This special protection scheme launched in 1990 envisages a regular survey of the elderly living alone and providing them special assistance in various matters, a sense of security with a feeling of being wanted, apart from guidance regarding their safety and security.

                                                       Non governmental organizations (NGOs) especially working in the field of the old and the vulnerable are associated and provided with information on these needy and vulnerable elderly. Safety features for the house like protective grills, fences, door chains, magic eye, alarm bell, door phone etc. are prompted and advised. They are provided with important telephone numbers including those of senior police officers and the police station and assisted in keeping them handy for a contingency

                                                            They are advised against keeping valuables in the house or sharing knowledge about such with or before servants and attendants. Police verification of servants, chowkidars, attendants and drivers, as also such other ‘help’ that visits the house like telephone linesmen, electrician, plumber, gas agency or even the local subzi-wallah and the postman, is ensured. Such verified personnel and chowkidars are especially motivated to keep an eye over the safety aspects of the senior citizens in their Beat.

                                                                                                           The local police, apart from regular visits to the senior citizens, maintain a register with relevant information on each of them, as also regarding the frequency of visits – not forgetting the vital contact telephone numbers of close relatives or friends for emergency or any contingency. A system of local responsibility is sought to be introduced under which neighbours are requested to be concerned about the senior citizens in their midst. Importance of courtesy, patience and care is sought to be a hallmark of police dealings with senior citizens.The police have also brought out literature and taken out advertisements of DO’s and DON’Ts that could be of assistance to senior citizens.

 Provisions made in the 'Maintenance of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007'?

                                                                                         The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007 is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 20th March 2007. The Bill states that adult children and grandchildren who are earning members are required to maintain and take care of their parents or grandparents. Maintenance refers to the provision of proper food, clothing, housing and medical treatment.

                                                                                          Parents include biological, adoptive and step parents. Also, any relative of a senior citizen who is in possession of property or who stands to inherit the property of the concerned senior citizen is liable to provide maintenance. An important feature of the proposed bill is that it would provide protection not just to parents who are over the age of 60 years but also to every parent who is in need of care.

                                                                                          The bill proposes to set up tribunals in every district where aggrieved parents may complain about being neglected. All elders, who are unable to maintain themselves through their own earning or out of the property owned by them, shall be entitled to make an application. The tribunal will pass an order regarding the amount of maintenance to be provided. Children, grandchildren or relatives may also face a jail term, have to pay a fine or be disinherited from property bequeathed to them.

What is the age when one can avail benefits set aside for senior citizens?

                    Different sectors have prescribed different ages for offering discounts and benefits to senior citizens:

• Banks and railways  provide rebates, higher interests on deposits and other facilities to people who 60 years of age and are over.
• The Income Tax Department which comes under the purview of the Finance Ministry, classifies a person who is 65 years and above for senior citizen income tax exemptions.
• Air India  offers senior citizen discounts to males who are 65 years and above and females who are 63 years and above as on the date of commencement of journey.
• The minimum age of eligibility for old age pension varies from 55 to 65 years from state to state.
• Senior Citizens Unit Plan of UTI offers the benefit of medical treatment to seniors and their spouse to those who are 58 years and older. Senior Citizens Saving Scheme  prescribes an age limit of 55 to 60 years as an eligibility requirement
• Local Municipal Corporations such as that of Delhi prescribes 65 years as the age of availing benefits for senior citizens according to the DMC Act of 1957

The National Policy of Older Persons  recognizes a person who is 60 years of age and above as a Senior Citizen. It resulted in the creation of the National Council of Older Persons ). This Council is taking steps to ensure that the uniform age of 60 years and above is taken into account for availing facilities and benefits to senior citizens. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also written to all Ministries and State Governments concerned for adopting a uniform age of 60 years for conferring senior citizen status

I live alone. How do I ensure my safety?

                                  As children migrate and settle in different cities, senior citizens are left to stay alone. Isolation and frail health exposes them to assaults and other such criminal acts. Here are some tips  about how you can prevent the same from happening to you:

• Register the name of domestic help and drivers at the nearest police station by filling in the appropriate form. This form with their photos will then be sent to the police stations at the workers' native places so their background can be immediately verified.
• Install safety features such as a peephole facility, safety latch or iron grill so that you can scan each visitor before allowing them entry. Be extra careful while allowing unknown persons like vegetable sellers, washermen and milkmen inside.
• Do not open cupboards, show valuables or discuss financial matters in front of domestic help. They may be tempted to carry out an unlawful act.
• Do not withhold pay, derogate or mistreat domestic workers. They may seek revenge.
• Develop a network of friends and talk to your neighbours to ensure that you do not live a secluded life. Go for regular walks in groups and socialise.
• Do not keep valuables at home. Store jewellery in a bank locker and cash in your savings account. Try and keep a dog if possible.
• Keep important telephone numbers handy. This includes that of friends or relatives living nearby as well as that of your local police station.
•  Police  has designated beat and divisional constables to keep a record of senior citizen residences. Inform them if you are having any problems. Keep in touch with your local police. You may also dial 100 or 1291 in case of an emergency.

Be vigilant at all times and don't trust anyone blindly. These steps will guarantee your safety and protect you in case something untoward happens.

What is a Senior Citizen Reverse Mortgage Loan?

                                                              A large part of the savings of Senior Citizens is tied up in non-liquid assets such as homes and property. Senior Citizens usually do not have a regular income and if they exhaust their savings, then it gets difficult to meet living expenses without having to sell their house. A reverse mortgage allows a senior citizen who owns a house to avail of a monthly stream of income against mortgage of the house. The senior citizen remains the owner and occupies the house throughout his or her lifetime, without repayment or servicing of the loan. This system allows Senior Citizens to convert their homes into cash without having to sell their property.

                                                            The monthly amount paid by the reverse mortgage company can be used to meet medical expenses, pay utility bills and so on. The borrower does not need to repay the loan as long as he/she continues to live in the house. They can never owe more than the value of their house. After the death of the Senior Citizen, the lending institution sells the house to recover the amount of the mortgage plus interest. All amounts in excess are given to the heirs of the borrower. The basic difference between a reverse mortgage and a regular mortgage is the fact that a reverse mortgage has no predetermined tenure and does not have to be paid back in monthly installments. This makes is extremely viable for Senior Citizens.

                                                           The amount a Senior Citizen may receive per month is determined according to the value of their property, their age and the prevalent interest rate. Generally, people who have a more valuable home and are older get a larger amount of money per month. The National Housing Bank (NHB), which regulates housing finance, has enumerated operational guidelines through which this facility will be extended by Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs). PLIs include Scheduled Banks and Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) registered with the NHB.

Some reverse mortgage schemes offered by Primary Lending Institutions in India are the:

• Baghban Scheme from Punjab National Bank
• Saksham Scheme from Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited Institutions such as ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Andhra Bank have also planned to launch similar reverse mortgage schemes in the near future.