Written by Racherla Manasa
Grandmother (Dadi Amma) is observing the busy streets from the window of her house in silence. She is not able to enjoy the familiar sights and sounds of her childhood that she was so fond of. She is not keen to join her neighbours for the morning walk or for any routine outings, due to the dull ache in her knee.
This is not exclusive to Dadi amma alone; most of the elderly citizens in India are suffering with these silent challenges today.
Rapid changes are taking place in India’s demographic environment. By 2050, we are going to surpass China in having more senior citizens aged more than 60 years. While, in one way, it offers the benefit of the collective experience of these citizens, on the other hand, it is like a ticking time bomb of special needs.
The first issue is healthcare. A dismal picture is painted by a study conducted by the National Institute of Ageing in India, which found that about half of the elderly population in India is suffering from at least one chronic disease. Many elderly people in rural areas do not have access to any specialised geriatric care and live alone as their children migrate for work. Everywhere, chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, etc. are very rampant and are resulting in physical disability and dependence on others.
The biggest invisible enemy of the elderly is social isolation.
Another invisible enemy is social isolation. The joint family system that was the building block of our nation is slowly waning and is giving room to nuclear households. This causes severe loneliness, anxiety and depression amongst the elderly. A survey conducted by HelpAge India reveals that around 30% of senior citizens in India are suffering from persistent feelings of loneliness.
Financial insecurity is another major reason for hardships faced by the senior citizens today. Most of our population work in the informal sector and are devoid of any formal pension plans or stable income schemes. Increasing living expenses are eroding much of the finances. Elderly widows are particularly vulnerable because of societal norms and restricted inheritance rights.
Amid the difficulties, there are still rays of hope.
Amid these difficulties, there are still rays of hope. The Indian government is offering basic medical care free of cost and is giving financial assistance through the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and the National Programme for the Elderly. Many NGOs and social organizations are taking an active role and are filling up the vacuum to some extent with regard to elderly care.
Technology has now come handy to many senior citizens. Tele medical platforms are able to bridge the gap of health issues and are offering their services online even to far-flung places. Newer Apps, exclusively designed to cater to the needs of seniors, are becoming popular and are providing access and services at the click of a button.
The story of India’s geriatric populace is not limited to issues alone; it also involves maximizing their capabilities. India can create a more welcoming and age-appropriate society by recognizing their challenges and making investments in their welfare. As Dadi Amma watches the children playing, a spark of hope ignites in her eyes. Perhaps, with a little support, the next generation won’t have to face the same silent tsunami of invisible struggles.
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