Challenges Old People Face Daily

The elderly Indian population is one of the fastest growing in the world. At 110 million, India has the second largest global population of ageing citizens. By 2050, this number will probably increase to 240 million. However, India lacks the basic infrastructure and expertise to support the health and welfare of the elderly.

According to multiple surveys across the country, for most Indian senior citizens, the biggest concerns are: healthcare costs, lack of financial support and isolation. Additionally, most of the aged are not accorded the dignity of care they deserve.

Lack of physical infrastructure is a major deterrent to providing comfort to the aged:- There are few purpose-built care homes or even public ramps available for the less mobile older citizens, like those who need wheel chair access. With increasing longevity and debilitating chronic diseases, many elder citizens will need better access to physical infrastructure in the coming years. This will be both in their own homes and in public spaces, like roads and malls.

Very little information and knowledge exists about specific geriatric diseases:- Mental health issues are rarely discussed and the country is ill-prepared to deal with the increasing incidence of dementia, Alzheimer's and depression amongst the elderly. There are few facilities and experts who can manage geriatric health effectively, even in major metros.

In addition, there is little public or private financial support for the elderly:: Research shows that of the 450 million Indians who are working, not more than 45 million are eligible for pension. Senior health insurance has very low penetration and has extremely poor pay-out history. Yet, health costs keep rising in old age.

emergency response infrastructure for senior citizens:- ill-developed including the availability of public ambulances for hospitalisation. One of the biggest fears for most senior citizens living alone is how to go about accessing an emergency facility if required, especially at night.

Rapid socio-economic change, including more nuclear families, is also making elder care management difficult:-  especially for busy adult children responsible for their older parents' wellbeing. Managing home care for the elderly is a massive challenge as multiple service providers, who often do not talk to each other, are involved in providing that care. These include nursing agencies, physiotherapists and medical suppliers. Most of these providers are small, unorganised players who extend sub-optimal care.

Most senior citizens who live alone suffer due to lack of companionship:- sometimes exacerbated by a lack of mobility due to ill health. Loneliness and isolation are major concerns among elderly Indians above the age of 60. Isolation can result in gradual depression and other mental disorders in the elderly.

Indian elder care industry is fragmented and offers poor quality service:- Sensing the opportunity for both social good and economic returns, private companies are now providing more comprehensive elder care outside a hospital environment, including home nursing, rehabilitation centers and intellectual companionship.

India's demographic dividend of being a ‘young' country, will soon turn into a demographic nightmare if infrastructure and services are not developed fast enough for our ageing population. Private companies will play an increasingly important role in bridging the massive gap between the investments and expertise needed and what is available from public and NGO source.