It has been found that more than 85 percent of senior citizens in Nepal live in rural areas.
This fact was revealed in the discussion program on the basis and standards related to the operation and management of old age homes organized by the National Inclusion Commission in Hetaunda on Sunday.
Most of the senior citizens living in rural areas are engaged in agricultural profession and are deprived of opportunities, said Balram Niraula, Secretary of the Commission. He said that due to illiteracy and poor nutrition, nutritional problems are also seen among senior citizens. According to the commission, 47 percent of senior citizens over the age of 65 are still economically active.
More than 80 percent of senior citizens live with their sons and the proportion of senior citizens living with daughters is 2.7 percent, said Niraula, the secretary of the commission. According to the 2078 census, the annual growth rate of Nepal's total population is 0.92 percent, while the annual growth rate of senior citizens is 3.29 percent, according to the Commission. According to the census of 2058, the number of senior citizens in Nepal is 6.5 percent of the total population i.e. 1.5 million, in 2068 it is 8.13 percent i.e. 21 lakh 54 thousand and in 2078 it is 10.21 percent i.e. 29 lakh 70 thousand.
If there is a problem in the living of the senior citizen, the commission has asked the local level to take actions such as asking the income of the person who has the duty of maintenance to deposit money into the account of the concerned senior citizen monthly, receiving complaints, and making reconciliation. The commission has recommended the government to bring a policy that utilizes the knowledge, skills and experience of senior citizens. Secretary Niraula said that it is also recommended to expand senior citizen-friendly infrastructure and facilities and manage facilities in health services and public transport.
