Odisha is taking significant strides to improve the lives of its senior citizens. The state government has formulated a comprehensive action plan under the Centre's Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), aimed at addressing the diverse needs of the elderly population and ensuring their overall well-being. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of providing dedicated support and care to senior citizens, who often face unique challenges as they age.
The state's action plan adopts a holistic approach, encompassing a wide range of initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors. Key components of the plan include:
Elderline: Establishing a dedicated helpline for senior citizens, providing them with easy access to information, guidance, and emotional support. This helpline will also serve as a crucial tool for reporting elder abuse and facilitating rescue efforts when necessary. To ensure effective intervention, the state will create a field response team to address the requests and concerns raised through the helpline.
Empowering caregivers: To bolster the availability of qualified professionals in elder care, the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department will spearhead a caregiver training program. In each district, at least 50 individuals, including youths, single women, widows, and untrained professionals already working in the field of old age care, will receive comprehensive training in geriatric care and bedside assistance. This initiative will be conducted by agencies selected by the district collector, with each agency running 24 training programs annually. These skilled caregivers will play a crucial role in running senior citizens' homes and providing quality care to the elderly.
Welfare scheme monitoring: The government will conduct block-level surveys to assess the reach and effectiveness of various welfare schemes designed for senior citizens. This will help ensure that seniors are receiving the benefits they are entitled to and identify any gaps in service delivery.
Community-based support: The plan emphasizes the importance of community involvement in supporting senior citizens. Social workers will be engaged to coordinate with district officials and NGOs to implement the various initiatives under the AVYAY program.
By addressing the multifaceted needs of its elderly population, the state is setting an example for others to follow. The successful implementation AVYAY has the potential to significantly improve the lives of the senior citizens in the state, ensuring they live their later years with dignity, security, and a sense of belonging.
