I had the privilege of attending the National Conference on “Ageing India: Emerging Realities, Evolving Responses”, a thought-provoking event organised by the Sankala Foundation, with support from NITI Aayog and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The gathering brought together policymakers, academicians, researchers, civil society actors, and healthcare professionals, all converging to discuss one of the most urgent but under-prioritised issues facing India: ageing.
Aging in India: An Emerging Challenge
Panellists at the conference extensively discussed the need to re-evaluate current social and health systems. As life expectancy improves and fertility rates decline, we are entering a phase where the ageing population will outpace the youth bulge that has long been India’s strength.
Is Financial Security the Most Pressing Issue?
One of the dominant concerns that echoed across sessions was financial insecurity among the elderly. While poverty-related vulnerabilities are often discussed, it was particularly striking that financial dependence and insecurity are now increasingly prevalent among the educated and financially sound sections of society as well.
The Ageing Report 2023 revealed alarming figures: A significant percentage of the elderly, even those from middle and upper classes, have little or no control over their financial resources. This is primarily due to factors such as lack of financial planning, dependence on children, legal complexities in property rights, or emotional manipulation within families.
Without sufficient pension coverage, insurance, or income-generation support, many senior citizens are left to navigate their final decades in silent hardship.
More Than Just Money: The Emotional Crisis
Another less-discussed but profoundly troubling issue is the emotional and psychological distress faced by the elderly. Loneliness, isolation, and a sense of abandonment have become widespread. The breakdown of the joint family system, combined with the technological divide, is leaving many seniors emotionally stranded.
What is even more painful is that many of these seniors are not the uneducated or impoverished, but those who have contributed immensely to society — retired professionals, government officers, educators, and entrepreneurs. The sense of loss of purpose is perhaps more acute in this segment, leading to rising cases of depression and mental health disorders.
Dignity: A Fundamental Right, Not a Luxury
A significant theme of the conference was ageing with dignity, not just longevity. The idea that growing old should not equate to becoming invisible or dispensable was strongly articulated by several speakers. Dignity involves autonomy, respect, access to healthcare, legal protections, and inclusion in community life.
Unfortunately, many elderly in India today are denied these basic rights. From poor treatment in hospitals and social exclusion to ageist attitudes in workplaces and policymaking, the elderly are often left voiceless. Women, especially widows, face compounded discrimination due to gender biases, property rights issues, and greater longevity, which often leads them to outlive their spouses and support systems.
Men, on the other hand, often struggle with loss of identity post-retirement, particularly in patriarchal settings where professional status defined self-worth. Emotional vulnerability, substance abuse, and mental health neglect are growing among ageing males.
A Ministry for the Elderly: The Need of the Hour
A growing number of experts now believe that India needs to establish a dedicated Ministry for Elderly Affairs. Much like the Ministry for Women and Child Development or the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, a focused body could streamline policy frameworks, coordinate between various departments (health, social justice, rural development), and ensure implementation and monitoring of ageing-related programs.
A separate ministry could also help in creating specialised infrastructure — senior citizen wellness centers, assisted living facilities, geriatric hospitals, helplines, and training programs for caregivers.
Policy Gap and the Western Experience
The critical question: Should India adopt Western models of elder care? Countries like Sweden, Japan, Canada, and Germany have institutionalised elderly care with universal pensions, healthcare access, legal safeguards, and vibrant community engagement systems.
While India’s social fabric is different, policy learnings can certainly be localised. For example, Japan’s model of “active ageing” promotes employment for seniors in part-time capacities, while Sweden provides home-based care funded by local governments. A hybrid model that mixes government support, community participation, and private sector innovation could be explored in India.
Currently, India lacks a comprehensive national ageing policy that addresses healthcare, housing, financial security, emotional wellbeing, and legal rights holistically.
Ageing Data: What Numbers Reveal
The Ageing Report 2023 and data from Census, UNFPA, and Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) revealed some stark trends:
Over 75% of elderly live in rural areas, with poor access to healthcare.
23% of elderly men and 56% of elderly women are economically dependent on others.
65% report lack of proper healthcare access.
47% feel emotionally neglected.
Only 11% of the elderly population has access to any form of social insurance.
Such statistics must act as a wake-up call. India is on the brink of a silver tsunami, and without proactive planning, the consequences could be devastating.
Following urgent steps are required to be taken:
Develop a National Ageing Policy with integrated focus on health, financial security, housing, emotional wellbeing, and legal rights.
Constitute a dedicated Ministry for Ageing Affairs to streamline and monitor policy implementation.
Launch a National Helpline and Emergency Response System for elder abuse and health emergencies.
Promote intergenerational dialogue and inclusion through school and community programs.
Provide tax benefits, pension reforms, and incentives for families supporting elderly dependents.
Train caregivers and expand geriatric medicine departments in medical colleges and hospitals.
Adopt public-private models for assisted living facilities and day care centres for the elderly.
As Indian undergoes rapid demographic transitions towards an ageing population, it is critical for ageing to be viewed as national priority. The welfare of older persons needs to be addressed in a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach that emphasises on financial security, access to quality healthcare, dignity and inclusion in society insights.
Towards a Compassionate Society
India stands at a demographic crossroads. With over 300 million senior citizens expected by 2050, we must not just extend lives, but enrich them. Ageing should not be seen as a problem to solve, but as a natural and valuable phase of life that deserves investment, respect, and recognition.
It is time to shift the conversation from welfare to rights, from survival to dignity, and from numbers to people.
The Sankala Foundation deserves congratulations for preparing a comprehensive report and bringing this critical issue to the forefront by organizing a National Conference.
