India is witnessing a rapid change in population structure with a rising number of senior citizens. The life expectancy of Indians has increased from 32 years in 1947 at the time of independence to 68 years now. This phenomenon of population ageing has impacted every institution of civil society including the health system. Older people need financial security, emotional and social support. With failing health and functional capability senior citizens need regular access to effective and affordable health care. Keeping this in mind the government of India has launched various schemes in favour of senior citizens to protect their rights and maintain good health. Some of the top government schemes for senior citizens in India are listed below –

1) Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Scheme 
This is a scheme offered by the Life insurance Corporation (LIC) of India that gives a guaranteed payout of pension at a specified rate for 10 years. It also offers a death benefit in the form of return of purchase price to the nominee.The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) pension scheme, meant for senior citizens, has now been extended till March 31, 2023.

For more information visit – www.licindia.in

2) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

This scheme is specially intended for older adults above the age of 60 years, who fall below the poverty line, according to the guidelines prescribed by the Government of India. It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development.. It is a part of the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP).
Get an application form from the Social Welfare Department in the concerned area.

For more information visit – www.nsap.nic.in 

3) National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE)

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had launched the ‘National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly’ (NPHCE) during 2010-11 to address various health related problems of elderly people. The major objectives under district level activities of the NPHCE are to provide dedicated health facilities in District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Sub-Centres (SCs) levels through State Health Society. The health care facilities, being provided under this program, are either free or highly subsidised The Following facilities are being provided under the Program.
Geriatric OPD and 10 bedded Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals.
Bi-weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community Health Centres (CHCs)
Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre (PHCs).
Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-centres.
The Centre will bear 75% of the total budget and the State Government will contribute 25% of the budget, for activities up to district level.

Source –
www.factly.in
www.nhm.gov.in

4) Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is a scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category. This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government. The expenditure for implementation of the scheme will be met from the “Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund”. The Scheme will be implemented through the sole implementing agency – Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Under the scheme, the physical aids will be provided only to the senior citizens of the nation. This implies those who are aged above 60 years will get free assisted living aids and physical devices which are required for their sustainability. Also the govt. has selected the list of cities where the scheme will be implemented. The main criteria for the senior citizens to get full benefits of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) scheme is that they must belong to the BPL family and should hold valid BPL cards issued by the concerned authority.

For more information, visit https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/rashtriya-vayoshri-yojana

5)Varishta Mediclaim Policy
This policy aids seniors by covering the cost of medicines, blood, ambulance charges, and other diagnosis related charges. Designed for senior citizens between the age of 60 and 80 years, this helps meet the health-related expenses of senior citizens. Moreover, income tax benefits are allowed for payment of premium under Section 80D. Although the policy period is for one year, you can extend the renewal up to the age of 90 years.

https://www.gibl.in/national-insurance/national-varistha-mediclaim-policy/

While we take utmost care in collating information about various schemes, please do read the fine print before you decide to enroll for any scheme.
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