The UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) reports that India's senior population will grow by 20% to reach 347 million by 2050. Today's working class will soon join the ageing category even as the birth rate declines, which means India is moving towards becoming an ageing country like Europe is today. Are we, as a country, prepared to meet this changing demographic?

Gaps in our system as far as the senior population is concerned

Despite significant and positive inclusions by the government through schemes such as the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), and Elderline (an emergency national helpline), we see many gaps in our social structure, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology, which fail to consider this segment while designing and building framework and systems.

Reports further estimate a large percentage of the future senior population will be women, those from rural areas, and those with no or limited income. The social security net needs to be present in our country. India lacks a government-funded healthcare system. As we advance in age, our need for comprehensive healthcare increases. Many seniors rely on their working children's collective family health insurance policy or dip into savings to care for old age and medical emergencies. The importance of purchasing exclusive healthcare insurance policies is yet to percolate even among the educated and well-off.

Our cities cannot be termed as senior-friendly. Senior-friendly features such as obstruction-free sidewalks, accessible and clean toilets, and buildings with elevators and ramps are rarely thought of when planning or developing cities. Be it pavements, pedestrian crossings, or public spaces like parks or airports, a lot is left desired in how they are designed and maintained. Is it any wonder that our seniors find it challenging to manoeuvre their way independently?

Digitisation is the catchword as India proudly holds up the UPI scanner to pay even the roadside vendor. Cabs, autos, and delivery boys rely on apps and GPS to cater to you. However, how many seniors can confidently operate these apps or use the digital payment method? While some seniors are tech-savvy, many fear rapid advancement and intrusion of technology in daily life. The increase in cyber crimes robbing senior citizens of their savings does not make the transition any easier.

What is the way forward?

Before we talk about bringing external changes, there's an urgent need to sensitise society with the idea that today's youth will be tomorrow's seniors so we don't sideline an entire generation by citing development as an excuse. Development is equated to the youth - fast and furious. However, actual development happens when society offers equity to the unprivileged, marginalised and weaker sections when marching forward.

Senior care is a segment that has a lot of potential for nurture and growth. The good news is that India is marching towards becoming the third-largest economic power, and that will include the wealth generated by today's working class. With targeted efforts by the government and in collaboration with the private sector, there is tremendous potential for the senior segment to become a priority category for investment and growth.

Investors, industrialists, educators, the health industry, city planners, and pioneers in senior welfare and care should work in tandem to acknowledge senior citizens as a separate customer group and design senior-specific products and services. The following areas are good starting points:

• Offer exclusive, easy-to-buy-and-renew health insurance policies besides accessible, affordable, and specialised short-term and long-term geriatric treatments. The goal should be to simplify processes and reduce ambiguity so that seniors living independently can seek the best healthcare without worrying about high costs or tedious procedures.

• WHO specifies parameters that decide if a city is age-friendly: the city needs to have regulations for noise and pollution levels, besides having enough green cover with easy-to-access seatings, toilets, and shaded covers at regular intervals. Sidewalks must be evenly laid out and free from obstructions like hawkers, vehicles, or trees. Traffic intersections should allow sufficient time for seniors to cross. Parks, buildings, and other entertainment centres must have age-friendly features like ramps, grab rails, and non-slip flooring. 

• Create opportunities and support groups for retirees to engage with peers and contribute to society long after retirement. Social isolation or a loss of purpose is a valid concern amongst seniors that needs a collective solution.

• Fashion, skincare and other wellness products and services should be developed after conducting significant research to ensure they address their concerns, specifically about comfort and style. That will eliminate the one-fit-for-all kinds of solutions.

• Technology needs more senior-friendly interfaces. Digital literacy will facilitate comfort and trust among senior users. Simple-to-use facilities like on-call-booking services, enabling larger fonts on smartphones, and voice-enabled features are a few ways to include seniors and ensure they are not left behind as we progress.