Differences in Awareness About Various Government Welfare Schemes as per Gender of Elderly Subjects Residing in Prayagraj City

Introduction: The percentage of elderly population is increasing in total population worldwide. At national level the percentages of elderly were 8.6% in total, 8.8% in rural and 8.1% in urban census year 2011. In the year 2011, Central and state government have already implemented various schemes. 
Objectives: The aim of this study is to find out the genderwise awareness about Government welfare schemes among elderly.
Methodology: 110 elderly persons (males= 68 and females= 42) residing in urban Prayagraj was randomly selected for this study. The participants were interviewed individually by using a structured interview schedule that contained the names of all the welfare schemes for the elderly.
Result: On the whole, these respondents did not have a complete awareness of these schemes. The awareness of IGNOAPS, Annapurna, Income tax benefit, train ticket concession, Higher interest on deposits in bank, The maintenance and welfare of senior citizen 2007, in male subjects were 77.9%, 47.1%, 66.2%, 86.8%, 73.5% and 57.4 where as these percentages in female were 69.0%, 42.9%, 2.4%, 54.8%, 50.0% and 7.1% respectively. Income tax rebate, railway concession, and interest on deposit and acts 2007 were highly associated with gender. 
Conclusion and Recommendation: The awareness of various welfare schemes among females was found low in comparison to their male counterparts. It is suggested that Government and NGOs working in the field, should organise awareness programmes about the various welfare schemes among elderly residing in urban areas for their proper implementation. 

Keywords: Elderly, Urban, Government welfare Schemes, Awareness.