Many social work organisations are providing home support to the elderly who have been ostracised from their homes are too insecure to live alone. Despite that, there are several other challenges that need to be countered in order to create a healthy living for all.

1. HelpAge India
https://www.helpageindia.org HelpAge India
Toll Free No Elder Help Line C-14, Qutab Institutional Area
1800-180-1253 New Delhi - 110016
Challenges Faced by the Ageing Society
The growing necessity to delve more into geriatric studies is a sign of positivity. As per WHO’s report,
it is estimated that the ageing population of the world will increase from 900 million to 2 billion from
a given period of 2015 to 2050. NGOs have a major role behind this. From providing home support for
the elderly to creating social awareness, they have done a tremendous job to entail everything that is
needed to tackle the problems faced by elderly people. In developed countries, such activities are
being carried out with an indomitable spirit but in comparison to developing countries like India,
there is a lot to be done given that our problems are very different, one of them being
overpopulation. But the road to a better future is being paved steadily; therefore, let us have a look at
the major challenges which the ageing society faces in general and how that can be controlled.
Challenges
Population Explosion - As
mentioned above, the constant
increase in population has
become the apex cause of
concern. According to the 2016
report by Ministry for Statistics
and Programme Implementation,
there were nearly 104 million
people aged sixty or above which
according to that year comprised
of 8.5% of the country’s
population. This is increasing the burden for social organisations to provide a sustainable life to the
elderly people.
Lack of Healthcare Services - Another major factor is the lack of adequate measures to provide sound
healthcare facilities for every elderly person. There is news of old people dying because of not getting
proper treatment, unable to afford treatment or worse, not able to find a bed in hospitals, which has
become a common thing. In many rural areas, the situations are disparaging. Despite efforts by
various governments, elders in the villages suffer the most.

2. HelpAge India
https://www.helpageindia.org HelpAge India
Toll Free No Elder Help Line C-14, Qutab Institutional Area
1800-180-1253 New Delhi - 110016
Lack of Infrastructure - Similar to the above points, there is a lack of infrastructure for many aged
people in India as a result, are suffering painful deaths. Although there are many senior citizen homes
in India, many elderly people aren’t so fortunate to afford them. Moreover, there have been
complaints that services are not up to the mark, every home doesn’t provide enough caregivers to
look after, no sociable activities, etc. In
not so urbanised areas, there are
problems with the electricity and water
supply, there be no proper hospitals or
poorly constructed nursing homes as
well.
Social Support Deficiency - The older a
person grows, he/she develops a sense
of insecurity. That is because many
elderly individuals are victims of
isolation and negligence. You will find a
community centre or club which
specifically adheres to the geriatric
populace. Moreover, children move
out to distant places or force them to
stay separately which leave them yearning for physical and moral support.
Solutions
Solutions to solve the challenges faced by the senior citizens should be for both, monetary and non-
monetary reasons. Let us have a look at them:
 Despite being such a populated and heterogenic country, there are many who not even
consider that population is actually a problem. This is mostly the case in rural areas. But
wherever it is, the problem needs to be handled with effective means. This cannot be
controlled unless some dogmatic government rule impedes the natives from producing beyond
a specified number, but it’s important to provide every ageing citizen with a prominent life to
live. There should be various programmes that provide financial aid in the form of employment
that is suitable for people for that age so that they can live off independently like integrated
plans that cover every small big, city and rural area to provide the necessary costs for food,

3. HelpAge India
https://www.helpageindia.org HelpAge India
Toll Free No Elder Help Line C-14, Qutab Institutional Area
1800-180-1253 New Delhi - 110016
clothing, shelter and hygiene for the suffering individuals. In fact, there are government plans
which have been implemented nationwide to provide care for the elderly.
 Healthcare in India needs to significantly improve since huge expenditures are being spent to
meet healthcare costs, but many aged individuals are still devoid of any benefit. The older
people come from different walks of life because of the diversity in culture and background.
Their physical, psychological and social needs should be considered and carefully examined.
Not just hospitals or nursing homes but there should be various health camps conforming
especially to senior citizens and health drives that will instigate the elderly populace to visit
and understand self-care. For a person who is unable to manoeuvre from his/her home should
be given the
requisite in the
form of
treatments,
check-ups at their
private spaces
itself.
 Indeed there are a
lot of old age
homes that
accommodate
senior citizens, but
there are many
more who are
unable to afford
such shelters or are unaware. Although building more old age homes isn’t the only solutions
but old people, in particular, face a lot of issues in places where the basic amenities aren’t fully
available. Not all are recipients of proper housing. In villages or smaller cities, there are
perpetual problems of water or power crisis which should be laid to rest. In the case of natural
disasters, houses should be able to withstand any calamity that strikes or should have the
proper evacuation means that are especially suitable for old people. For houses as well as old
age homes, the living conditions should be worthy for everyone to live with affordable
rates/rents. In the case of the latter, proper services should be provided.
 Humans are psychosocial beings. As older they grow, due to demented health, they aren’t able
to socialise like the yesteryears. Their needs need to be understood. An aged person living off
independently can visit day care homes where he can meet his peers and converse about the

4. HelpAge India
https://www.helpageindia.org HelpAge India
Toll Free No Elder Help Line C-14, Qutab Institutional Area
1800-180-1253 New Delhi - 110016
day to day life. There should be clubs organised by the respective RWA especially for them,
where people from different walks of life can come and indulge in various activities. Senior
citizens also suffer from various diseases that may restrict them to beds or hospitals. During
such times of distress, it’s better to visit them or interact with them once a while; be it your kin
or someone from the neighbourhood.
Thus, the world would be a much better place if we can create a place worthy for our elders. There
are a lot of challenges but to overcome them by ingenious means remains the ultimate goal. On a
personal level, you too can do a lot of things for them. If you see anyone suffering, contact the senior
citizen helpline of your city immediately.