What are the problems that senior citizens face?

Given the challenges of an ageing population, including health, social, and economic needs, India is in critical need of comprehensive, community-based solutions for its senior citizens. To solve the multitude of concerns, an environment is necessary where senior citizens are able to thrive, not just survive. Jagriti Dham, a luxurious old age home in Kolkata, has pioneered an initiative to provide this.

The Unprecedented Demographic Shift

There’s a substantial demographic alteration occurring, and no country has escaped its ramifications; India, until more recently one of the youngest countries, is experiencing a rapid ageing population. According to the recently released NITI Aayog on Senior Care Reforms (2024), the fast-growing senior population necessitates the reformation of existing senior care facilities from the ground up. 

Traditionally, India’s social system operated via a joint family system where older generations were supported. The family environment took care of the physical and emotional needs of the elders. More recently, the combination of globalisation and urbanisation has dramatically changed the family system. Now, senior citizens face many challenges that affect their dignity. Some of these challenges include physical ailments, mental suffering, and financial issues.

Physical Health and Medical Challenges

The most immediate and clear difficulties brought about by ageing are linked to the individual’s physical health. With ageing comes the natural bodily decline. This puts the elderly population at a higher risk for many medical ailments. Therefore, the need for the establishment of medical facilities and senior citizen homes in India increases.

From the reports of national health surveys and reports on gerontology, the following health challenges can be classified into several critical categories:

• Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Many older individuals suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis are becoming more prevalent. This requires constant modification to their lifestyle.
• Mobility Problems: Problems such as muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and joint issues render them immobile, which increases their dependency on caregivers to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, and feeding.
• Sensory Impairment: Untreated diseases of the eye, such as cataract and glaucoma, as well as hearing problems and dental diseases, make life extremely uncomfortable for them. Listening to conversations or chewing their food has become quite a challenge.
• Cognitive Diseases: Another huge issue faced by elderly people is the rising rate of Alzheimer’s disease and other Dementias. It snatches their memories and alters their behaviour, making it almost impossible for the untrained family members to care for them.
• Undeveloped Geriatric Care: It is evident that older adults suffer from all of these diseases, yet comprehensive geriatric healthcare systems are still a distant goal. The quality of care is suboptimal and, coupled with long waiting times, poor hospital infrastructure, and the absence of trained geriatric personnel, these make it extremely difficult for older adults.

Psychological and Emotional Struggles

Whereas physical diseases are tangible, the psychological impact of ageing can be described as a silent epidemic. Psychological issues of elderly people are linked to their position in society and the family.

• Loneliness and Alienation: When children leave their homes and move to other places due to studying or work, elderly people remain alone at home in empty nests. This physical separation results in deep loneliness. Besides, bereavement from losing one’s wife or husband, brothers or sisters, or old friends leads to alienation.
• Depression and Anxiety: The lack of freedom, constant pain, and the feeling of being a burden usually lead to serious depressive episodes and anxiety among the elderly population. Psychological issues of elderly people tend to be ignored because they are considered age-related phenomena.
• Digital Divide: With most functions today being performed digitally, from banking to making doctors’ appointments, meeting friends, and doing online shopping, seniors have found themselves unable to keep up with the changing times. The complex nature of using smartphones and surfing the internet causes them a lot of frustration.
• Struggle for Purpose: After retirement, seniors face an abrupt end to a life filled with productivity and structure. Their identity and sense of belongingness within society is suddenly stripped away, leaving them with no purpose in life.

Social Challenges and the Shift in Family Dynamics

Recent research studies focusing on the sociological problems associated with elderly care at home reveal that there is a disintegration of the traditional family support network. The shift from joint families to nuclear families has left a huge vacuum when it comes to caring for the aged.

• Caregiver’s Burden: In today’s nuclear families, where both the husband and wife are usually career-oriented individuals, it is physically and psychologically challenging to provide full-time care to their ageing parents. Without the assistance of Senior Citizen Care Services in Kolkata, such “caregiver burnout” can unintentionally result in conflict, irritation, and tension within the family.
• Generation Gap and Changing Value Systems: With changing times, there is now a generation gap. Conflicting viewpoints regarding parenting styles, lifestyles, and even the use of technology can cause endless arguments between the elders and their offspring.
• Elder Abuse and Neglect: Regrettably, vulnerability becomes an invitation to abuse. The elderly may be subjected to various forms of abuse, including financial, psychological, and even physical abuse. They might be coerced into signing away their property and money, or they may be subjected to insults and extreme negligence.
• Problems of Safety and Security: Elderly people who live alone are easy prey for thieves, burglars, and various types of cyber scams. Home safety is another big issue since seniors are prone to slipping and falling due to darkened homes, slippery bathroom floors, and a lack of handrails.

Financial Insecurity and Economic Vulnerability

Achieving financial independence becomes imperative for a life of dignity in old age, but unfortunately, a large number of elderly people have been unable to realise this goal.

• Lack of Pension/Social Security: According to the NITI Aayog report, most Indian elderly fall into the category of unorganised labourers and do not have a formal pension. Therefore, they become fully dependent on their offspring for all financial requirements.
• Increasing Cost of Healthcare: The rate of medical inflation is always higher than the general inflation rate. Visiting doctors regularly, getting diagnostic tests done, buying special medicines, and being admitted to hospitals may burn all savings in no time.
• Limited Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage becomes quite expensive and also comes with restrictions. Most elderly patients tend to be underinsured when they need healthcare services the most.
• Financial Fraud: Being more prone to fraud owing to decreasing mental capabilities and inability to use digital banking facilities, older patients may fall prey to many money scams and frauds.

Infrastructural Deficits and the Care Gap

However, the general infrastructure of society in India has failed to keep pace with the ageing population. Designing public places, modes of transport, and housing has never considered the requirements of the elderly population.

• Hostile Urban Environment: Potholed roads, high kerbs, a lack of pedestrian crossings, and the unavailability of accessible transport systems keep the elderly in a cage-like atmosphere and make it difficult for them to venture outside.
• Lack of Good Assisted Living Facilities: There are assisted living facilities for the elderly in India, but most of them lack proper sanitation, trained staff, and a positive environment. Families seeking an old age home in Kolkata urgently need places that inspire seniors to lead an active life.
• Lack of Emergency Response System: An emergency response system is vital in case of medical emergencies like stroke and heart attacks. There should be panic buttons available, quick ambulance services, and medical professionals on call.

How Jagriti Dham is Revolutionising Senior Citizen Care Services in Kolkata

The numerous challenges faced in the process of ageing are enough to present a rather bleak future ahead, but the story of growing old need not necessarily be that of deterioration and hopelessness. The interplay of deteriorating physical health, emotional loneliness, unfriendly outer infrastructures, and increasing responsibilities for the caregiver requires a unique solution.

And this is precisely where Jagriti Dham, the best luxurious old age home in Kolkata, comes into the picture. Instead of functioning as a conventional, impersonal home for the elderly, Jagriti Dham serves as an ecosystem, aimed at addressing all the issues that the modern senior citizen may face.

Medical Support and Clinical Care Transformation

The traditional arrangement in retirement is generally inadequate in addressing the medical vulnerabilities related to ageing. It leaves the family members at a loss when it comes to the provision of coordinated clinical care. The following are some ways that Jagriti Dham tackles the medical vulnerabilities:

• Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Diseases such as hypertension, severe diabetes, and heart-related illnesses need proper and constant monitoring. Through Jagriti Dham, patients will have structured lifestyle control and medical examination to help keep their health stable and avoid emergency cases.
• Cognitive Diseases Care: Diseases affecting the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, cannot be managed through simple monitoring. Patients need proper intervention. Jagriti Dham offers cognitive therapy and safe environments managed by professionals knowledgeable about the behavioural changes resulting from memory loss.
• Combatting Mobility Issues: Ageing can come with certain restrictions that compromise the independence of the senior. The whole infrastructure of Jagriti Dham consists of only one level and can be accessed via lifts. It is free of any kind of structural impediments and has anti-slip floors with grab bars.
• Turning Around Underdeveloped Geriatric Care Ecosystems: Traditional hospitals cater to reactive care, while elderly people require preventive care. Jagriti Dham bridges the gap between the two by providing customised assisted living facilities to the senior, thus guaranteeing proper preventive care.

Repairing Psychological & Emotional Vulnerabilities

Good mental health is intrinsically related to the individual’s engagement with their surroundings and peer groups. Jagriti Dham actively addresses the psychological needs that families often overlook in typical domestic arrangements.

• Creating a Space Without Loneliness and Isolation: Leading a lonely life in one’s empty nest brings about a feeling of abandonment. At Jagriti Dham, we transform loneliness and isolation into a lively community of peers. The residents are provided many chances to make long-lasting friendships and partake in community activities.
• Making Way for Hope Amidst Depression and Anxiety: Loss of dear friends and reduced independence are among the main causes of depression in old age. This institution provides emotional support and mental health screening programs along with a nurturing and comforting community spirit.
• Gaining Victory Over Life’s Meaninglessness: Being retired doesn’t have to signify the end of a productive life. Jagriti Dham emphasises active ageing through culture, hobbies, festivities, and intellectual discussions. This environment makes sure that all the residents wake up to a purposeful life each day.

Offering Structural Safety and Quick Emergency Response

For single senior citizens and couples residing alone, there is an ongoing threat posed by the structural environment. The architects at Jagriti Dham have addressed all these concerns through defensive architecture and state-of-the-art security:

• Efficient Emergency Response Mechanism: For any sudden and serious illness, such as a stroke or heart attack, every second counts. Jagriti Dham takes care of all your concerns by providing round-the-clock medical assistance, alarms, and quick medical assistance for immediate stabilisation and hospitalisation.
• Fixing the Problem of Safety and Security: Being outside the confines of secure areas, the elderly face the threat of financial fraud, accidents, and security risks. Jagriti Dham offers a comprehensive security plan that involves round-the-clock surveillance and rigorous identification techniques, ensuring total safety.
• Battling the Harsh Urban Environment: With cracked roads, unapproachable transportation services, and the madness of urban traffic, it becomes difficult for elderly people to venture out into the open. Jagriti Dham ensures that residents can move freely and safely within a beautiful environment.

Addressing the Pressure of Financial and Family Obligations

The practicality of the issue of caring for the elderly directly impacts the family, causing strain among family members owing to exhaustion and increased expenses.

• Reducing the Rising Expenses of Health: The high cost of fragmented healthcare services can wipe away a person’s savings. The combination of continuous health check-ups, preventative physical therapies, and wellness practices makes the process of senior care highly economical.
• Reducing the Pressure on the Caregiver: Adult children who are juggling work responsibilities and raising a family find it difficult to give specialised healthcare to their parents at home.At Jagriti Dham, we take care of everything, enabling families to visit without worrying about their loved ones’ well-being.
• Promoting a Dynamic, Stress-Free and Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle: Dealing with maids and cooks and repairing the house turns out to be a tedious task for the elderly. Jagriti Dham ensures there is no such pressure anymore. As India’s first IGBC-certified silver-rated green senior living community, it provides highly nutritious chef-cooked meals along with housekeeping services.

The fact that Jagriti Dham identifies and resolves the underlying reasons for their vulnerability means that seniors in Kolkata do not simply spend their time but rather enjoy their sunset years with full freedom, complete comfort, and total peace of mind.

Conclusion

The shift towards the ageing population is one aspect of life that we have to accept with empathy, innovation, and restructuring. A fragmented approach cannot solve the health, financial, or emotional challenges that senior citizens face. It calls for a comprehensive strategy that pays homage to the contributions made by the elderly generation and ensures a secure future for them.

Although the government policies and attitude of the society take some time to catch up with the changing times, communities such as the luxurious old age home in Kolkata – Jagriti Dham – are making an effort to fill this gap right away. Changing from the obsolete idea of “old age homes” to luxurious and empowering “senior living communities” would ensure that the golden years become a period of happiness and contentment. This is our moral obligation to give back to the people who looked after us all our lives, the kind of environment, respect, and unmatched care they deserve.

About the Author

The above guide was written by the team of Jagriti Dham (https://www.jagritidham.com). Jagriti Dham, a luxurious old age home in Kolkata, is also the first IGBC-certified green senior living home in eastern India. The vision behind Jagriti Dham is to create a centre of excellence where unique facilities will be provided to ensure the overall development of the seniors. This facility focuses on active ageing and aims at creating an age-integrated society. Here, seniors can enjoy their lives independently while getting the best care with the help of assisted living. What makes Jagriti Dham different from other old age homes is that its vision goes beyond the facility’s premises.

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Courtesy

https://journals.lww.com/jiag/fulltext/2025/04000/social_challenges_for_older_adult_care_at_homes_.10.aspx