Elder Self Help Groups: “A Comprehensive Age Care Approach” Author: S. Dass. Director & State Head, A.P. In India, 93% of the 10 Crore Elderly are from the Un Organized Sector and have no means of Social Security. As per the National Sample Survey Organization 60th Round, 92% of the Elderly in the age group of 60-79 are not confined to bed or home. These Elders either have to work or keep occupied till their last breath or till they become sick and bed ridden because of the increased longevity of life the Elders after attaining the age of 60 years are tend to be active for 12 more years which means that an Elder average active life is till he or she attains 72 years of age. A Scenario has emerged where majority of elders in the age group of 60-79 from the Un Organized Sectors are living in an idle situation with poverty without social security and regular source of income which also results in Elders becoming depressed and deprived.This has resulted in increased dependency of elders on their children or Charity or Government which creates lack of avenues to live in Respect and Dignity. HelpAge India has felt that field models have to be initiated to address this grave situations where in elders can be Sensitized/facilitated and capacity built to make themselves sustained and help their own peer groups and make themselves occupied. In this process, Elder Self Help Groups under Comprehensive Age Care Models started in the year 1999 to bring all the Active Poor Elders together on a single platform to encourage a social bonding and thrift practice among themselves. Today HelpAge has created 3241 Comprehensive Elder Self Help Group models in 20 States on PAN India basis, which are catering to varied needs of poor active elders as below. Develops strong we feeling and emotional support. Elders help each other in accessing all types of Resources like Govt Schemes, Health facilities, local market linkages. The Elder Group members provide counseling to their own group members and also to other elders living in their community in cases like death, family disputes etc. Internal Group Lending helps Elders to design small business models for Petty Business purposes and these results in achievement of Self Sustainability of Elders. Group members are able to re-join their families and Communities because of increased Financial Sustainability and Dignity of life.
