Q. What are the Private and Public network and support systems operative in Indian society for the aged? Suggest measures to curb down the challenges before care givers of the aged.

Model Answer:

India’s demographic transition has created a growing elderly population, necessitating robust support systems that combine traditional private networks with evolving public mechanisms.

Private Support Networks

Private networks remain the primary caregiving infrastructure:

• Family and Kinship: The joint family system, rooted in filial piety, continues as the cornerstone of elderly care. As sociologist M.S. Gore observed, traditional joint families provided an in-built security system, though nuclearization and migration have weakened this structure

• Community Networks: Neighborhood associations, caste groups, and religious institutions (temples, gurudwaras) offer social integration and emotional support, fostering belonging through what Durkheim called “mechanical solidarity”

• Non-Governmental Organizations: NGOs like HelpAge India operate old age homes, daycare centers, and mobile medical units, bridging critical care gaps

Public Support Systems

State-sponsored mechanisms include:

• Legal Framework: The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 legally obligates children to provide parental maintenance

• Policy Interventions: The*National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 ensures elderly well-being through schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

• Healthcare Provisions: Dedicated geriatric care under Ayushman Bharat and specialized health insurance schemes

Challenges for Caregivers

Caregivers face significant “emotional labour” (Hochschild’s concept), experiencing physical strain, financial burden, and psychological stress. The “sandwich generation” particularly struggles, managing both children and aging parents simultaneously.

Suggested Measures

• Financial Support: Caregiver allowances, tax benefits, and subsidized healthcare services
• Respite Care: State-supported daycare facilities providing temporary relief from caregiving duties
• Workplace Flexibility: Paid care leave, flexible hours, and work-from-home options
• Skill Development: Geriatric care training programs and counseling services
• Community Participation: Support groups and intergenerational solidarity programs

Conclusion: Strengthening both formal and informal support systems through convergent approaches is essential for ensuring dignified aging while supporting caregivers in India’s transforming social landscape.