{"id":2113,"date":"2020-11-20T15:39:43","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T15:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idronline.org\/2020\/12\/23\/covid19-elderly-health-rights-risk-fear-anxiety\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T09:09:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T03:39:06","slug":"covid19-elderly-health-rights-risk-fear-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/idronline.org\/kn-in\/covid19-elderly-health-rights-risk-fear-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Living with risk, fear, and anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Sitabai is a 66-year-old woman from Kalamna village of Ballarpur, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra and lives with her only son. She suffers from hypertension and diabetes. Before the pandemic, she used to be regular with her health check-ups and medications.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">&ldquo;Although my sugar levels have been persistently high over the last few months and the primary health centre (PHC) doctor asked me to go to the rural hospital, I do not want to go. What if I catch the [COVID-19] infection?&rdquo; says Sitabai.<\/span><\/p><blockquote><p><span class=\"s1\">Reverse migration has led to an increased risk of exposure to the virus, especially among those in the higher age groups.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Just like Sitabai, there are many elders&mdash;people above the age of 60&mdash;living in rural India who have been affected by the pandemic, the nationwide lockdown, and physical distancing norms. Additionally, reverse migration has led to an increased risk of exposure to the virus among rural communities, especially among those in the higher age groups. Over the last few months, we have observed that COVID-19 has made elderly citizens fearful and anxious for a number of reasons: <\/span><\/p><div id=\"idron-4243911941\" class=\"idron-article-in-content idron-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><a href=\"https:\/\/idranswers.idronline.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"What is IDR Answers Page Banner\"><img src=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/What-is-IDR-Answers-Page-Banner-1.png\" alt=\"What is IDR Answers Page Banner\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/What-is-IDR-Answers-Page-Banner-1.png 1250w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/What-is-IDR-Answers-Page-Banner-1-300x60.png 300w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/What-is-IDR-Answers-Page-Banner-1-1024x205.png 1024w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/What-is-IDR-Answers-Page-Banner-1-150x30.png 150w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/What-is-IDR-Answers-Page-Banner-1-768x154.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" width=\"1250\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">News identifying elders as a vulnerable group<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Limited mobility due to non-availability of transport <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Anxiety about family members<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Absence of friends and families<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Loss of employment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s3\"><b>Increased vulnerability<\/b><\/span><\/h3><p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">According to the Government of India&rsquo;s COVID-19 <a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">mortality data<\/span><\/a> (till October 13, 2020)<\/span><span class=\"s5\">,<\/span><span class=\"s1\"> 53 percent of deaths have taken place in the age group of 60 years and above; 35 percent between the age group of 45-60 years; and only 10 percent in the 26-44 years age group. Additionally, another set of data <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6KV87EKbKFM.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">showed<\/span><\/a> that among the age group of 60 years and above, 24.6 percent of overall deaths have exhibited comorbidities related to diabetes, chronic kidney issues, hypertension, and heart-related problems, while only 4.8 percent didn&rsquo;t have any underlying health issues.<\/span><\/p><blockquote><p>With age, their immune system is also compromised, making them more vulnerable to infections such as COVID-19.<\/p><\/blockquote><p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">As per the <a href=\"http:\/\/mospi.nic.in\/sites\/default\/files\/publication_reports\/ElderlyinIndia_2016.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">Census 2011<\/span><\/a>, there are nearly 104 million elderly persons (aged 60 years or above), with 71 percent of this elderly population residing in rural areas. Looking at this data, it is clear that the elderly&mdash;especially the rural elderly&mdash;who live with comorbidities need more attention and regular medication to combat the situation. With age, their immune systems are also compromised, making them more vulnerable to infections such as COVID-19.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Given this, we have seen a renewed focus on addressing the health needs of the elderly in rural areas over the last few months. At Tata Trusts (where I work) this is being done by operationalising the Government of India&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/nphce.nhp.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE),<\/span><\/a> in collaboration with the state and district administrations, the public health departments, and the gram panchayats in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, Medak district of Telangana, and Yadgir district of Karnataka. As part of this, we have been connecting the elderly to government medical staff, such as ANMs and ASHAs for providing medications, and gram panchayat field volunteers for providing pensions, groceries, and essential goods at their doorsteps.<\/span><\/p><p>\n<div id=\"attachment_24537\" style=\"width: 717px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24537\" class=\"wp-image-24537 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/woman-conducting-a-survey-with-an-elderly-woman_Piyush-Khanorkar.jpg\" alt=\"woman conducting a survey with an elderly woman_senior citizens_COVID_19_Picture courtesy: Piyush Khanorkar\" width=\"707\" height=\"485\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-24537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Since the lockdown, our field teams have also reached out to more than 25,000 elders through outbound calls to understand their needs and well-being. | Picture courtesy: Piyush Khanorkar<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Since the lockdown, our field teams have also reached out to more than 25,000 elders through outbound calls to understand their needs and well-being. These calls have helped us understand some of the challenges currently faced by the rural elderly and to identify potential solutions.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"second-level-subheading\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s6\"><b>1. Access to health services<\/b><\/span><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Empirical evidence, based on our work done in the three rural districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, suggests that the elderly suffer from multiple chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and visual and hearing problems. As a result of decreased frequency of public transport owing to the lockdown, around 31 percent and 28 percent of the elderly surveyed could not access routine medication and public healthcare facilities, respectively. <\/span><\/p><div id=\"idron-3781932273\" class=\"idron-content idron-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><a href=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"donate banner\"><img src=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1.jpg\" alt=\"donate banner\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-300x60.jpg 300w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-1024x205.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-150x30.jpg 150w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-768x154.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" width=\"1250\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Access to both has improved over time, and the figures currently stand at around 11.2 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively. Additionally, physical distancing measures have kept caregivers away from bedridden elders, and untrained family members are finding it difficult to replace caregivers. Moreover, the stigma of getting tested positive, and ignorance and myths around the pandemic and its transmission, are affecting the mental health of the elderly.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"second-level-subheading\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s6\"><b>2. Access to pensions and employment<\/b><\/span><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As per <a href=\"http:\/\/mospi.nic.in\/sites\/default\/files\/publication_reports\/elderly_in_india.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">government data<\/span><\/a>, 66 percent of elderly men and 23 percent of elderly women in rural areas are engaged in income-generating activities. Between April and August this year, nearly eight percent of the elders who worked in farms and as daily wage labourers in the three geographies we surveyed, lost their source of income. Twenty-five percent also indicated that they need financial support. <\/span><span class=\"s7\">The lockdown coincided with the harvesting season, and the harvest of crops such as wheat, paddy, barley, and seasonal vegetables and fruits was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fao.org\/in-action\/food-for-cities-programme\/news\/detail\/en\/c\/1272232\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">put on hold<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Because of mobility restrictions, elders could not go to banks to collect cash and the ones who received pensions had a hard time collecting their funds. This was primarily observed in those households where the elderly are the sole breadwinners.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"second-level-subheading\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s6\"><b>3. Access to essentials <\/b><\/span><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The prices of essential goods <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s41775-020-00095-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">rose<\/span><\/a> during the pandemic, due to limited supply. In line with this, our study noted that the financial crisis limited the purchasing capacity of essentials such as vegetables, fruits, milk, and other regular grocery items. Almost 19 percent of the elders surveyed stated that the public distribution system provided only grains, and standing in long queues was unbearable. <\/span><\/p><div class=\"second-level-subheading\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s6\"><b>4. Need for social engagement <\/b><\/span><\/div><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Through the outbound calls, we learnt that almost 40 percent of the elders expressed that they were feeling lonely due to the lockdown as they couldn&rsquo;t meet their friends or go to places of worship, and social interactions had been hampered.<\/span><\/p><blockquote><p><span class=\"s1\">Most of the rural elders who lived alone did not have a smartphone.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">With the rise in COVID-19 cases, and news around natural disasters, such as cyclone <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-india-52900967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nisarga<\/a>, they have also been increasingly worried for distantly located family members and friends. Our study further noted that most of the rural elders who lived alone did not have a smartphone, thus connecting virtually was not an option for them.<\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s8\"><b>More can be done for the rural elderly<\/b><\/span><\/h3><p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">While challenges abound, there are many things we can be doing for the rural elderly to mitigate these negative impacts. <\/span><\/p><div class=\"p3 second-level-subheading\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>At the civil society and community level<\/b><\/span><\/div><p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">It is important that the community&mdash;more specifically, younger people in villages&mdash;rise to the challenge and come together to dispel any misgivings that the elders may have. As part of this:<\/span><\/p><ul>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) can maintain groups of volunteers for such emergencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Elders in need can be provided with midday meals to ensure nutrition and good health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Communities can help make medicines and medical check-up accessible by encouraging last-mile delivery. Youth or National Service Scheme (<a href=\"https:\/\/nss.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NSS<\/a>) and National Cadet Corps (<a href=\"https:\/\/indiancc.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NCC<\/a>) volunteers can be trained as s<i>wasthya sevaks<\/i> to support frontline health workers. They can assist the elders in their communities&mdash;especially those with mobility issues&mdash;by providing medications and basic health counselling at their doorsteps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Self-help groups (SHGs) for elders must be encouraged, to discuss and tackle issues with the support of the gram panchayat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">To reduce financial dependency, skill development for non-farm livelihoods can take place, where elders are taught alternative livelihood options, such as making bamboo products, quilts, or pottery.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\"p3 second-level-subheading\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>At the state level<\/b> <\/span><\/div><p>State governments can explore the following initiatives:<\/p><ul>\n<li><strong>Telemedicine:<\/strong> <span class=\"s1\">In the long run, telemedicine infrastructure can be integrated into public primary health facilities. This shall reduce direct and indirect medical expenditure, and help elders access consultations near their doorsteps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Self-care management for common diseases:<\/b> Frontline health workers can be trained to teach elders how they should care for themselves and how lifestyle modifications can keep common diseases at bay or in control. This training can be expanded for caregivers too.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Psychological first-aid training:<\/b> Frontline health workers should be trained to help in identifying elders in distress, communicating effectively, and providing coping measures or referrals to advanced health facilities. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\"p3 second-level-subheading\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>At the national level<\/b><\/span><\/div><ul>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Digital literacy:<\/b> Social isolation and not being able to connect with distant family members has caused a lot of distress among the rural elderly. In response to this, digital literacy drives may be proposed and executed, in order to empower the elderly to use digital banking, telemedicine consultations, and e-social engagements. Central and state governments can provide devices and create a cadre of <i>sevaks<\/i> to teach seniors and empower them. Networks, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/internetsaathiindia.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Internet Saathi<\/a>, and programmes, such as <i>Swastha Bharat Preraks<\/i>&nbsp;and <i>Zila Swachh Bharat Preraks<\/i>, which already have huge network bases, can be leveraged.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>National helpline for senior citizens:<\/b> A toll-free active helpline is needed for addressing elderly issues and connecting them to concerned facilities for redressal.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The pandemic has affected everyone across the board, but the rural elderly have been impacted uniquely. A clear reassuring message to elders that they will be cared for by their families, local communities, and administrations will relieve them of stress related to this pandemic, especially, in the remote rural geographies of this country. <\/span><\/p><p>&mdash;<\/p><h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Know more<\/b><\/span><\/h3><ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li2\"><span class=\"s1\">Learn about the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.thewire.in\/health\/to-be-a-senior-citizen-during-indias-covid-19-epidemic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s3\">realities<\/span><\/a> of being a senior citizen in India during COVID-19.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Read about how various individuals and organisations <a href=\"https:\/\/feminisminindia.com\/2020\/11\/13\/covid-19-elderly-during-the-pandemic-hope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s4\">stepped up<\/span><\/a> to help senior citizens during the pandemic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Do more<\/b><\/span><\/h3><ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Read and share the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mohfw.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s3\">Ministry of Health and Family Welfare<\/span><\/a>&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mohfw.gov.in\/pdf\/AdvisoryforElderlyPopulation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s3\">health advisory<\/span><\/a> on steps we can take to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 among the elderly. <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s1\">Learn more about how you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/india\/stories\/caring-elderly-during-covid-19-pandemic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"s3\">provide support and care<\/span><\/a> for senior citizens during the pandemic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"idron-3074558077\" class=\"idron-troublemakers-placement idron-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><a href=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"donate banner\"><img src=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1.jpg\" alt=\"donate banner\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-300x60.jpg 300w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-1024x205.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-150x30.jpg 150w, https:\/\/idronline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Donate-banner-1-768x154.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" width=\"1250\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sitabai is a 66-year-old woman from Kalamna village of Ballarpur, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra and lives with her only son. She suffers from hypertension and diabetes. Before the pandemic, she used&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,9,582,2652],"tags":[3605,3612,3649,141,3701],"series":[],"meta-filter":[],"schema-filter":[743],"no-display":[],"class_list":["post-2113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid-19","category-health","category-instagram","category-rights","tag-coronavirus","tag-digital-inclusion","tag-healthcare","tag-mental-health","tag-rural-health","contributor-piyush-khanorkar","states-karnataka","states-maharashtra","states-telangana","schema-filter-article"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.8 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How can we support senior citizens in rural India during COVID-19? | IDR<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Senior citizens in India have faced a unique set of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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