Over 8.53 lakh senior citizens have benefitted from more than 46 lakh Assistive Devices from Financial Year 2017-18 to Financial Year 2025-26 under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that it is promoting greater mobility, independent living and timely assistance for senior citizens under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) through the components namely Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, Elderline and the Training of Geriatric Caregivers.
The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) was launched in 2017 and implemented through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), provides free assisted-living devices to senior citizens belonging to BPL categories and low-income groups who suffer from age-related disabilities and infirmities. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walking sticks, hearing aids and spectacles are provided free of cost to improve accessibility, mobility and independent living among senior citizens.
Meanwhile, Elderline, a National Helpline for Senior Citizens received more than 29 lakh calls and over 162 crore rupees was released during Financial Year 2021-22 to Financial Year 2025-26.
Furthermore, more than 35 thousand candidates were trained under Training of Geriatric Caregivers scheme from Financial Year 2023-24 to Financial Year 2025-26 and over 81 crore rupees was released during the same period.
