Human Development in India - NCAER

well-being of the older population 143data, less than 8 per cent of those aged 60 and older receivepension from the NOAPS, and less than 3 per cent ofwidows receive the widow pensions. While these are thetwo most widespread programmes, the older population iseligible for a wide range of programmes, including pensionsgiven to Freedom Fighters and their widows and widowers,as well as the Annapurna Scheme, which provides free grains.When all sources of government assistance are combined, 17per cent of the elderly live in households that receive somekind of assistance. However, government assistance appearsto be targeted towards the more vulnerable sections of society.Rural residents, the less educated, and Dalits and Adivasisare more likely to receive government assistance than arethe more privileged elderly. This is largely because mostbenefits are targeted at the poor. The only exception isassistance given to individuals who participated in the Indianfreedom movement, and their spouses. Freedom Fighterswho can provide documentation of their participation in thefreedom movement receive substantial assistance. Becausethe last major movement took place in 1942, relatively fewFreedom Fighters are alive today to use these benefits. Butin as much as they, or their spouses, are able to obtain thesepensions, many are located in the more privileged sectionsof society.FAMILY AS SOURCE OF SUPPORT FORTHE ELDERLYTraditionally, the elderly have been seen as integral toa family structure that is based on intergenerationalreciprocity. A shared sense of rights and obligations bindsthe generations in a joint family, economically, socially, andemotionally. However, with the slow erosion of employmentin the traditional sectors of the economy, like farming, anda preponderance of new jobs emerging in urban areas, itis often argued that the multigenerational family system isundergoing increasing stress.The IHDS indicates that in spite of this potential fordisintegration, most elderly persons continue to live withtheir children and other family members (see Figures 9.2aand 9.2b).About 13 per cent men and 11 per cent women livealone, or with their spouse. Of the remaining some livewith their married or unmarried children, and many live inextended families, with their brothers and nephews. Nearly77 per cent of the elderly live with a married son/brother/nephew or other relative. About 11 per cent of the elderly inIndia reside with their unmarried children, or what is morecommonly termed nuclear families. Such elderly are likelyto make a living as small farmers, subsist on pensions, orengage in some kind of petty trade. About 16 per centof elderly men reside in nuclear families, compared with6 per cent of elderly women. Close to 10 per cent of theelderly live with only their spouses. Here again, 12 per centof elderly men live with their spouses, as compared with7 per cent of elderly women. The elderly who live with theirspouses are mostly retired, or live in households engagedin small farming. Finally, about 2.5 per cent of the elderlylive alone.Overall, however, residence of the elderly in threegenerationaljoint families is widely practised in India,regardless of region (Table A.9.1b) or socio-religious affiliation(see Table A.9.1a). Joint residence is slightly less likely inhouseholds that belong to the poorest quintile, and those inwhich the educational level is nominal. However, it remainsFigure 9.2aSource: IHDS 2004–5 data.Living Arrangements of Elderly Men (in per cent)Figure 9.2aSource: IHDS 2004–5 data.Living Arrangements of Elderly Women (in per cent)