The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs several welfare schemes under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSRC). On Thursday, it announced that, to date, it has provided grants to 639 projects for the seniors’ shelter, food, healthcare, and entertainment. 

The scheme is part of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), which has other schemes like the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSRC), Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), Senior-Care Ageing Growth Engine (Sage), Geriatric Caregivers Training, and a national helpline. 

Under IPSRC, the government provides grants-in-aid to projects operating senior citizen homes, care homes, etc., for seniors needing shelter, food, and healthcare. The recipients of these grants include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), state governments, union territory administrations, the Panchayati Raj institutions, and other local bodies.  

As per the latest announcement, the ministry continues to provide grants to operate and maintain senior care homes. Official data shows that as of August 2, 2022, there were 502 senior citizen homes in the country, with Odisha having the highest number at 79, followed by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh at 67 each. However, the number of such projects increased in 2023.  

For example, as of July 2023, there were 552 senior citizen homes, 14 continuous care homes, 19 medicare units, and five physiotherapy clinics, covering around 361 districts under the scheme as of July 2023 data, and nearly 1.5 lakh senior citizens were living in these homes.  

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Facilities Provided In Old Age Homes Under The Scheme

These homes must have a dormitory area of 7.5 square meters per resident, a separate bed, a hygienic toilet and a kitchen, a medical and recreational room, and a dining hall. These homes should provide their residents nutritious food, books, newspapers, games, and a computer with an internet connection for recreational purposes, besides first aid medical facilities. 

Additionally, there should be proper security, and they should be provided with at least four pairs of clothing yearly with storage for their belongings.

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For more information about this scheme and other welfare schemes for senior citizens, one can call the toll-free helpline number 14567, which is operational in 31 states and union territories. The helpline number for senior citizens is daily active from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.