Senior Needs in India

India has the second largest population of any country in the world, second to only China. As a result of this, their senior population is far bigger than that of the United States’, and like the U.S., this population is growing at a considerable rate. A recent survey of seniors within India found some alarming things. And although the results of this study apply directly to the people of India, there are many things that we can learn from what was found.

 

For starters, seniors in India pointed to a few different things when talking about the greatest challenges that they faced while aging. Adequate attention is perhaps the biggest obstacle here. Many seniors in India are isolated from their families and communities, even though they still live within their own homes.

 

This is mainly because the prevalence of organized senior care in the United States is not transferable to India. In the Indian culture, caring for a loved one within the family is considered the norm, and to do anything other than this is seen as an act of disgrace toward the parent. However, although that is the cultural belief, many seniors suffer as a result of it. About a third of all seniors are bedridden in India, and this brings about a new type of struggle, especially because many families are too busy to adequately care for or spend time with their loved one. For those that are bedridden, loneliness, isolation, and a feeling of being marginalized were the most pressing issues. This is something that’s certainly not unique to those within India. The isolation that many feel when physical activity becomes more difficult is a universal issue, and it’s something that many people within the U.S. struggle with, too.

 

In India, many seniors state that their biggest needs are emotional in nature.

 

That is not to say that the condition for seniors in India is without hope. Many of those that are confined to their homes do not have pressing medical needs, but rather their needs are more emotional. Many stated that entertainment was their biggest need. Music and dance were two of the biggest palliative care needs that were cited.

 

It’s important that when we look at our own elderly loved ones that we remember this. Oftentimes, the case is that they just need more of our time and attention.

 

When we take a step back and look at our aging parents, it’s important to remember that they have needs that senior care can’t always fix. Yes, there’s a lot that an in-home caregiver can do to help your mom or dad. But, the bigger thing to remember is that they have a need to be loved and cared for, just like they always have. A caregiver doesn’t necessarily provide this intimate connection. That’s why it’s important that you select a caregiver that will go above and beyond to not just help your parent out with their daily tasks, but that they will also act with compassion and form a close bond of friendship. For more information on how a caregiver service can do this for your family, get in touch with us today.  

 

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