Population ageing has emerged as the greatest challenge of this century for policy makers, care providers and society as a whole.

How is this problem getting reflected in your society?
What do you think are the major challenges the elderly face today?

It is a matter of great concern that, thanks to developments in the field of medicine, diagnostics and healthcare, people live longer leaving all nations across the world at a disadvantage. This is not different in my place, and problems the elderly face are different.

As per a UN demographic data, our country India is expected to house 198 million people above 60 years in the year 2030. Needless to say, this is a challenge for all across the nation. In this part of the world, we have nuclear family system in place in the place of joint family. This shift from crowded families to families of a few, say three or four, makes the life of the elderly really miserable. For example, now many of them are in old age homes, some are under the mercy of carers in isolated natal homes and some others are living miserably in the fringes of nuclear families, exposed to many challenges.

These challenges differ markedly. Still there are a few common ones. The first one is isolation. This is due to their being alone even when they are in crowds. Secondly, it is the absence of emotional and physical support. For example, their grandchildren are away, children are after their lives, the milieu is one of race and changes and their health status is at the mercy of medication and paid service. Above all, all the elderly suffer from the most severe psychological trauma called the fear of the unknown. They expect the worst at any moment. Should we say they remain challenged?

To conclude, the challenge the graying population poses is manageable provided the healthy and younger ones of the world understand the fact that they are going to be elderly in the days to come.