Growing old should mean enjoying the comfort of family, the warmth of community, and the dignity of care. Yet for millions of India’s elders, ageing often means loneliness, untreated illness, and struggles to fulfil even basic healthcare needs. The stage of life that must be marked by peace and respect is too often defined by ignorance and struggle. India’s elderly, who have fostered families and built this nation, are in urgent need of specialised support that addresses not just their physical ailments but also their mental well-being and social dignity. With the elderly population expected to nearly double from 149 million today to 347 million by 2050, as per the ‘India Ageing Report (2023)’, the question before us is clear: are we prepared to care for those who once cared for us since childhood?
Geriatrics is a growing need for a growing nation
One of the harsh realities is the shortage of specialists in geriatric medicine. Currently, there are only a few geriatricians in the country, and only 20 geriatricians graduate from medical colleges each year. This creates a significant gap, as these limited experts are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural areas with almost no access to specialised elder care. For millions of seniors outside big cities, this leads to undiagnosed illnesses, untreated chronic conditions, and delayed interventions.
The shortage of mental health professionals further exacerbates the issue. Depression, loneliness, and anxiety are common challenges of old age, yet very few elders can access clinical psychologists or counsellors. For a nation where family structures are changing and nuclear households are becoming the norm, ignoring seniors’ mental health risks deepens isolation and suffering.
Though the government has taken steps towards elder care through initiatives such as the National Program for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE), which aims to provide dedicated, comprehensive healthcare services for seniors, the demand still far outstrips supply. Strengthening the reach and implementation of such programs will be important to bridge this growing gap.
Technology as a bridge to better elder care
There are many new technologies emerging, and tech support as well as start-ups are on the rise. However, these developments are predominantly centred in urban areas. In rural regions, especially among the elderly, the digital divide still exists, limiting their access to digital solutions.
The elderly often face challenges such as distance from health facilities, lack of transport, and limited support to access health care. Technology solutions like digital consultations, remote monitoring tools, and diagnostics can allow them to connect with doctors without having to travel long distances and help track vital signs (blood pressure, glucose, oxygen levels, etc.).
Telehealth is one such solution through which one can reach the remotest areas, without the physical presence of a doctor. The government is supporting and filling some of the gaps in this. Digital platforms like HelpAge India’s telehealth reduce the need for exhausting travel, provide quicker access to healthcare, enable timely consultations, and ensure early identification of health concerns. Beyond saving time and effort, telehealth also eases the financial burden on families, as it minimises travel and caregiver costs. The aim is to create an ecosystem where older people are supported holistically, even in the remotest of regions.
In a small village, an elderly widow struggling with chronic fatigue found it difficult to visit the nearest healthcare facility as it meant losing a day’s earnings. With the arrival of telehealth services, she consulted a doctor virtually, got her blood sugar tested with a community health worker’s help, and was diagnosed with diabetes. Without this support, she would have continued to suffer unknowingly, risking serious complications. This case shows how digital health solutions can be life-changing in bridging healthcare gaps.
Building care beyond clinics
The responsibility of elder care cannot rest solely with doctors and hospitals; community-based solutions are equally vital. Mobile Healthcare Units take basic medical services to the doorsteps of rural seniors while also connecting them to government schemes and entitlements, reducing financial vulnerability. Livelihood initiatives like Elder-Self-Help-Groups (ESHGs) show how holistic support can transform lives. In a village in West Bengal, 62-year-old Angur Rana, after losing her husband, joined an ESHG. With training and seed capital, she started a small business. Today, she is financially independent, mentors other women, and holds savings in a formal bank account, which demonstrates not just economic empowerment but the restoration of dignity.
If India is to prepare for its ageing population, it will require collective action. Hospitals and medical colleges need to invest in geriatric care and preventive health while sensitising young doctors. Communities and NGOs should strengthen support through mobile healthcare, caregiver training, and livelihood initiatives. And at the heart of it all, families must recognise elders not as dependents but as valued members who deserve dignity, respect, and care.
India’s elders are not a burden; they are a reservoir of stories, traditions, and resilience. With a blend of specialised healthcare, digital innovation, preventive practices, and community empowerment, we can build a future where seniors live not just longer lives, but healthier, more dignified ones.