5 Travel Tips for Senior Citizens

To most of us, retirement means staying at home and not being brave or adventurous enough to travel to different places. But times are indeed changing and with improved medical care and more facilities for the seniors making traveling easy, senior citizens are breaking the stereotypes and attempting to explore the world!

 While traveling is indeed a great way for the seniors to enjoy their retired life. Proper planning is indeed essential to ensure that things move smoothly. Here are the five travel tips for seniors to make the most of their travel time. Find out all about some safe travel tips for seniors and elderly citizens

1. Research more to avoid mishaps: Meticulous planning is one way of avoiding problems in your trip.  Planning well includes more information on the hotel, altitude, the area, the mode of travel, the places to visit, the weather, and so on.  Also, it is important to notify the hotel or the resort of your special requirements such as a wheelchair, product allergies, food allergies or any specific medical problem you may have, it is best to share the same with the management to ensure you remain fit and healthy throughout your stay and not fall sick. It also helps if you avail senior citizens travel insurance for unforeseen emergencies.

  

2. Keep Proper Documentation handy: If you are traveling to far off places, it is imperative to keep all the important files of medical reports and prescriptions, besides of course the passports, visas and other identification documents handy. Remember it is always better to opt for travel insurance, to protect yourself from any mishap or emergency.

3. Pack all Medications: Replenish your stock of the medicines for the entire vacation. Pack extra medicines, if you decide to stay extra. Get a thorough medical check-up done before you embark on your traveling journey to ensure that you are fit and fine to take up the travel.

4. Pack light: When you are traveling it is better that you stick to essentials and not go overboard in packing extra. Keep the medicines in your handbag so that you can get easy access during the journey. Pack well keeping in mind the current weather of the place you will be visiting. 

5. Stay safe: Remember to keep family members in the loop if you have planned for a solo trip. Keep the emergency numbers handy. It is always better that you tie up with travel groups. Don’t pack up too many expensive items like watches, gold and so on.  Have more than one accesses to money.

6. Eat light: Do not go overboard on food, try to eat light. Avoid eating food like junk or sweets and stick to your regular eating plan as much as you can. This will help avoid any stomach upsets or infection or allergies. Also, keep clean bottled water handy to stay hydrated.

7. Have fun: Lastly stop worrying too much, just try and have a good time. Bond with other fellow travelers and make beautiful memories, and try not to overtire yourself. So, ensure your itinerary is light and fun.

Follow the above travel tips for seniors to make your journey interesting, fun and safe! Bon, voyage!

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations for the Welfare of the Elderly

The word “retirement” evokes the image of white-haired people taking it easy sitting on the porch and whiling away leisurely hours. But times have changed, now people stay active and healthy for years together. They love to work and hence feel the urge to invest in mind and body which will help them keep motivated and great. Many retirees finally have the time to devote their time to causes or work which they had wanted to do when they were younger but never had the time to do.

Now there are many charities and non-profit organizations which are in dire need for help. So, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for retirees to invest in, with time and effort.

Top NGO Opportunities for Retirees

 If you are looking for fulfilling ways to spend your retirement years, here are some great ideas for you to explore as far as voluntary services are concerned. Read on to find out about these opportunities.

·      Opportunities for retired military personnel and civilian retirees- If you are wishing to lend a hand and show your gratitude to veterans or active servicemen and women. You can do so, by helping to increase the quality of life for military personnel and their families. 

·       Volunteering for children-Many children's hospitals depend on volunteers for some activities such as reading stories, tutoring patients, monitoring playrooms and helping out families with whatever they require for a child. Volunteering opportunities for Ngo’s which involve children require a background check and also a commitment to work for a certain number of hours per week over a certain period of time say three, six or 12 months. Volunteering with children can be really beneficial as well as fulfilling.

·        Disaster relief volunteering- Natural disasters can bring great distress and destruction for people who gets afflicted by them. While, in some cases disaster relief volunteers are required to maintain certain certifications such as CPR or few other lifesaving skills, volunteers are also required to handle supplies, donations and administrative tasks, as well to offer comfort and assistance to the survivors of the crisis.

·       Volunteering for animal shelter- Local animal shelters are always in need of volunteers to look after animals, organize various fundraising events, perform some administrative tasks, or assist people to rescue pets in the wake of disasters like floods, fires and other natural disasters. Retirees can also act as a foster parent for rescued animals until a permanent placement can be found for a homeless cat or dog.

So, you see there are so many ideas to explore if you really want to give volunteering a shot! Have you tried volunteering for any NGO group, if you have, do let us know in the comments section!

Laws Protecting Rights and Interests of Senior Citizens in India

Aging is an inevitable part of life and no one can escape it. During this time, the person experiences massive changes not only in how he or she looks but also how they feel. Aging brings with it a lot of new challenges that are a result of retirement, weakening of body and growing vulnerability to medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to provide adequate support and protection the precious and massive part of our population: the senior citizens. 

The number of senior citizens in India and the elderly population is constantly growing. According to a 2016 report by the Ministry for Statistics and Programme Implementation, India has 103.9 million elderly, which constitutes about 8.5 percent of the total population of the country. As per the reports, the population has grown at a rapid rate of 3.5 percent per year. The trend will apparently continue and by 2050 the 20 percent of the population of India will consist of people above the age of 60.

The population trend is clearly indicating at the challenges that lie ahead of the country. Caring and providing support to this huge section of the society is of utmost urgency and the Government of India is constantly taking steps to tackle this social issue. At the same time, there are a few provisions in the Constitution of India that protects the rights of senior citizens of India.

 Constitutional Provisions for Senior Citizens in India

1.    Article 41: Under the purview of Article 41, the state protects the right of employment, education and public assistance for not only elderlies but also cases of unemployment, sickness, and disability. The Article states that it is the right of every citizen of India to work, to educate and to seek public assistance within the capacity of the state. 

2.  Article 46: This constitutional provision has been stated as Part IV under the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP), a constitutional guideline to the State. This article gives the state the full authority to promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections including the elderly and protect them from social injustice. The government is responsible to implement social schemes and empower various weak sections of Indian Society. However, as stated in Article 37, DPSP are cannot be administered by any court of law. 

      Legal Rights of Senior Citizens in India

     Providing care and maintenance to aged parents is not only a moral obligation but also a legal duty. Major communities and religions of India have recognized this responsibility through various personal laws. They protect and promote the welfare of the elderlies, Hindus, Muslim, Christian and Parsi laws have clearly stated that the parents are entitled to claim maintenance from their children, be it a son or a daughter.

Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 is one of the first personal written law in India that makes maintenance of parents a lawful duty. Earlier, the obligation was restricted to sons only, however, it is not the right of a daughter to take care of her parents in case of disablement of parents to maintain themselves due to financial circumstances. This law is extended to both natural and adoptive parents. Meanwhile, step-children are not bound by the law to provide any such maintenance to their parents with their own children.

Muslim Law makes it obligatory for both son and daughter to provide maintenance for their aged and poor parents. However, there is no such mention of obligation for maintenance for the adopted children mainly due to the absence of the concept of adoption in the community. Additionally, Shia Law gives the same stature to the grandparents as to the parents. Therefore, a child has a responsibility to provide for his grandparents too.

While there are no personal laws for Christians and Parsis, enables parents belonging to these communities that consist of significantly big part of the Indian population, to seek assistance from Code of Criminal Procedure in order to make such claims.

Legal Rights of Senior Citizens in India: Code of Criminal Procedure

Until 1973, there was no such provision under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Under Section 125, the Code of Criminal Procedure, made it a legal obligation for sons and daughters (even married daughters) belonging to any community of India, to provide maintenance for parents who prove that they are unable to out of their financial circumstances and capacity.

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007

This is the most recent legislation implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the fifty-eight year of independence to promote and protect the welfare rights of aged parents and senior citizens in India. This Act is a step towards the empowerment of old Indians. It aims to provide the parents above 60 support to claim monthly maintenance from their children, heirs or children residing abroad. It also aims at protecting the elderly’s life and property. This Act has a broad scope that extends the senior citizens of India except for Jammu and Kashmir and envisions to set up old age homes in every district and provide basic necessities to the elderly. According to the law, the maintenance must cover food, clothing, place of residence, and medical assistance if required. If the children fail to aid the parents, the seniors can seek help from senior citizen Tribunal created under this Act. At the same time, it aims to promote the welfare of senior citizens which includes the provision of food, healthcare, recreational centers, and other basic amenities.

Government Schemes for Senior Citizens

The Government of India has taken a few initiatives to safeguard the basic rights of the senior citizen in India.

National Policy for Older Persons was initiated in the year 1999 to work towards the strengthening and empowerment of the elder section of Indian society. It enables the State Government to take measures to improve the quality of life of the senior citizens in India by providing them with necessities, concessions, and relief. Additionally, it provides the older generation with protection against abuse, injustice, and exploitation. Also, it ensures that equal opportunities are made available to them. Furthermore, it ensures to provide support for financial security, health care, shelter care, and research and training for the development of the elderly of society.  

National Social Assistance Programme is a Centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India that provides aid to the widows, persons with disability and elderly, in the form of social pension. This scheme was launched in the year 1995 and it is comprised of three components that include National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS).

Besides, a few other schemes like Annapurna Yojana, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme provide assistance and required support to the senior citizens in India.

Senior Citizens Saving Scheme: This is one of the most popular government schemes for senior citizens of India that can be availed by anyone above 60 at the interest of 8.6% per annum. This scheme provides the highest post-tax returns when compared to other fixed income products.

Senior Citizens Benefits in India Under Tax Law

In addition to above mentioned benefits, senior citizens in India are entitled to some benefits and concession under laws related to income tax. Under Section 88-B, 88-D, and 88-DDB, senior citizens and super senior citizens are given a concession in income tax. Income up to 3 lakhs for seniors and 5 lakhs for super senior citizens is not taxable. For senior citizens, income from 3-5 lakhs is liable at 5% tax rate. This rate is relatively lower than tax rates for the general public. More tax laws provide them advantages to avail tax deduction up to Rs. 30,000 on health insurance premium and up to 60,000 for a person suffering from serious illness.

Other Rights of Senior Citizens in India

Some other provisions for senior citizens in India include travel benefits wherein the government-owned modes of transportation system whether its railways, airways, or roadways, provide tickets at concessional rates and special assistance during travel. There are some health benefits extended to senior citizens by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Every hospital and health clinic are to create separate queues for elderlies. Furthermore, the government has recommended giving priority to ration card holders at the fair price ships. Senior citizens can also take advantage of the new policy that allows them the issuance of a passport on post-police verification if they attach a copy of the passport of the child (above 18) residing abroad. These schemes and provisions have been created to address the problems of the elderly and to tackle the challenges that come with aging.