Challenges Faced by Senior Citizens Today

Today, Senior Citizens face a lot of challenges and why every elder deserves a home like Sadbhavna.

This information has been extracted from the website of Sadbhavna Vrudhashram | sadbhavnadham.org

Each creased, aged hand has a tale to tell of years of work, of families united by love, of a lifetime of giving selflessly, to others. Yet there are far too many of those hands without anything to hold in the last years. This is a reality we see every day at Sadbhavna Vrudhashram. We were established on 15th August 2015, and we have now made our home for over 700 abandoned and neglected senior citizens that are now finding shelter, dignity and unconditional love inside our walls.

With a rapidly ageing population in an unprecedented manner in India, it is more important than ever to know what challenges that the elderly face and to ask: what kind of society do we want to be?

The Spanning of the Baby Boom Generation’s Years: The Numbers Tell the Story

India is experiencing a demographic transition. By 2036, the number of elderly (age 60 and older) is forecast to more than double from 100 million to 230 million. By then, almost 1 in 7 Indians will be above 60 years.

According to a study by the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) 2021, which is the world’s largest study of this kind, 12% of the Indian population is now elderly, a figure that is likely to be 319 million by 2050 with an annual increase of about 3%. In the older population, females make up 58% and of that number, 54% are widows.

These are not just numbers. There’s a grandmother, a grandfather, a parent behind each of these numbers who gave everything and now moves through the world with little to no support.

A first book on health challenges that tackles both the body and the mind.

Diminishing health is one of the most important challenges for the elderly. The body changes as people get older, and while there are some natural changes that make the body more vulnerable, the health care system is not always prepared to respond.

Older people in India face health-related issues such as marginalised mental health problems like dementia, Alzheimer’s and growing disabilities; poor geriatric facilities and services and a huge urban-rural gap in health care.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis are some chronic diseases that need constant check-up and treatment. However, many of the old people, particularly those in rural areas and those without financial support, cannot receive timely treatment. We at Sadbhavna provide regular medical, physiotherapy and medicine visits to each resident free of charge. No elder in our care is ever left alone with their pain.

Financial Insecurity: When a Lifetime of Work Isn’t Enough.

People in old age in India have worked hard for many years, given birth to children and have been active in their families and communities. Many people find themselves in financial stress as they grow older instead of relaxation.

Elderly people in India are facing economic problems such as low social security coverage, increasing living and health care costs, and low income.

The world of work and retirement has not caught up with the increasing life expectancy. Yet there are lots of people who are able and willing to work beyond the standard retirement age, but simply don’t have the options. For the older generation, the day-to-day management of finances and for future life is also difficult, making them more susceptible to running into fraud and scams.

The Government has taken various steps, including the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), which helps the citizens of India who live below the poverty line, with more than 2.21 crore citizens being benefited up to October 2025. However, there is a significantly greater disparity between need and support for millions of others. All the elders stay here without a penny being paid by them, they are provided with food, shelter, medical care and daily needs so that they can live their last years in peace not in poverty.

Social isolation and loneliness: The silent suffering

The loneliness of senior citizens is one of the most heartbreaking problems that they face today. With the disappearance of the joint family system, the youth’s urban drift and the modern lifestyle, millions of elders have been left out.

The family safety net of care is less effective due to migration, urbanisation and growing nuclear families. The social issues faced by elderly people are weak family support systems, social isolation, neglect and lack of companionship.

A good number of the elders that arrive at Sadbhavna have not had the luxury of being welcomed with warmth in years. Some were abandoned. Others were just left with nobody. Here, they find a community. They attend Satsangs, cultural events and take part in daily activities where they find joy and purpose. For every tired soul, something to smile about.

 Physical Mobility and Daily Independence

In general, mobility and dexterity tends to diminish as a person grows older, making such activities more challenging. This can slowly make it difficult for elderly to care for themselves and prevents them from being social, participating in interests or activities.

Public facilities are many times not designed with the older people in mind in India. Sadly, public places and public transport in India are not elderly friendly; there are no ramps or handrail in many places and accessible washrooms are not available.

This lack of accessible design leaves many seniors dependent, and too often, isolated. We have our infrastructure well planned to cater to the physical needs of our residents to have physiotherapy, mobility aids and caring staff available at all times at Sadbhavna.

Digital Divide: Left Behind in a Connected World 5.

Many senior citizens simply cannot keep up with the world that is going online. Digital technology has become a staple in numerous industries including banking, government services, healthcare portals, and even family relationships.

A number of obstacles hinder technology uptake for older people, such as lack of training, and lack of assistive technology. This digital gap may result in seniors not being able to access pension plans or health schemes or emergency services which now require digital competency.

The launch of e-Sanjeevani telemedicine platform and the Senior Citizens Welfare Portal are good initiatives of the government, but reaching out to elderly citizens who have never had a smartphone is a critical challenge for the society to tackle as a whole.

Aggression and Manipulation

For senior citizens, one of the deepest wounds they can have is to feel invisible; to be treated as a liability instead of a blessing.

A myriad of stereotypes about old age exists, which can result in isolation and marginalization in communities. It is essential that older people are part of the social events and community life as this helps to preserve their sense of identity and self-esteem and also utilise the knowledge and experience they have to offer which is essential to the development of society.

We have our own conviction at Sadbhavna that all elders are not at the end of their story; they are at the beginning of a new chapter. They are the hands that created the world! It’s not fair to forget, it’s fair to hold them.

What Is Being Done? Government initiatives that are worth knowing

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The Government of India has taken some significant measures to support the senior citizens. In all, 696 Senior Citizen Homes are in operation in 29 States and UTs, providing free shelter, nutrition, medical care and entertainment to elderly citizens who need it. (as on 25th August 2025)

The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana has been launched to provide assistive devices like walking sticks, walkers, hearing aids, wheelchairs to the senior citizens of India with disabilities due to old age, while the Ayushman Bharat has been expanded to cover approximately 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above with free healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year.

There is a national helpline, “Elderline”, which is now available on a toll-free number 14567 for issues and concerns related to the elderly, and to link them to the relevant services.

These are significant projects. However, government schemes cannot take the place of warm human care, community and love.

How Sadbhavna Vrudhashram makes a difference.

Founded on 15th August 2015, Sadbhavna Vrudhashram is the world’s largest free old age home where over 700 abandoned elderly have found dignity, unconditional love and a home. Each inhabitant is provided with healthy meals every day, a place to sleep, health care, physio, and the love of a real community: sadbhavnadham.

We do not inquire of our residents of where they are from or why they were left behind. We simply ask, “What can we do to make today better for them?”

But this has to be done in collaboration with others. Every meal served, every medicine dispensed, every bed made it all depends on the generosity of people like you.

You Can Be Part of the Change

If this blog touched you, then join us at Sadbhavna Vrudhashram. Every donation, no matter how small, is someone’s meal, medicine, or smile today.

Please visit us at sadbhavnadham.org or donate at donate.sadbhavnadham.org

Contact us:

📞 +91 85301 38001 | +91 80002 88888

📧 info@sadbhavnadham.org

📍 Jamnagar–Rajkot Highway, Mota Rampar, Gujarat 360110

Every Elder deserves to end their story in love, not in silence.