Latest Social Issues

SENIOR CITIZENS OF MIDDLE CLASS IN URBAN CITIES; CHALLENGES; AN ANALYSIS *

The article is based on personal experiences and observations about challenges being faced by middle-class senior citizens in urban cities.

Lifestyle, et al.

Eating Habits:

Senior citizens who are aware and conscious about healthy eating and are motivated by others take well-balanced and healthy meals and follow a regular routine. They also take care of their physical fitness. Sometimes, diet patterns do get influenced by advertisements and group pressure. Senior citizens who, during their young age, could not afford variety and expensive food due to one or the other reasons like paucity of time/money, lack of facilities, or non-availability of variety at that time, or due to living in large families, do want to try and experiment with different types of food. They also visit the latest restaurants/eating joints. It has been noticed that a few senior citizens who face too many eating restrictions at home due to their health, eat their favorite food outside secretly.

Health Issues:

Common health issues and complaints are: poor digestion, acidity, bloating, constipation, high blood pressure (in some cases, low BP), high sugar level (diabetes), obesity, stiffness and puffiness, body pain, weakness and lethargy, difficulty in walking due to knee pain, breathing problems, anemia, liver problems, urinary tract infections, teeth problems, hearing difficulties, thyroid problems, cataract and other vision and hearing problems, and lack of sleep. Health issues can be due to various factors like aging, genetics, lifestyle behavior, wrong choice of food, overeating, addiction to some foods like alcohol and tobacco, inadequate intake of water/fluids, pollution, adulteration in food, environment, etc. Overuse/overlapping of medicines and their side effects can also cause many health problems.

Medical:

The majority of senior citizens do get regular health checkups. Facilities given by government or free checkups by voluntary agencies are availed by many. Those who have health insurance or receive free/reimbursement treatment from their offices, use this facility. Many government and private hospitals create awareness about emerging and present health issues and about good nutrition during old age (geriatric nutrition). They also arrange lectures, exhibitions, and provide free health checkups.

Social Life and Interaction with People:

Most of the senior citizens who live alone do meet and talk with close relatives and friends through mobile phones. Many remain in touch with different sets of people’s groups like extended family, ladies/gents groups, senior citizens groups, office groups, and association through whatsapp app groups. But some live in isolation, maybe by nature, due to depression, or because they are not able to take too much group pressure. Some people are active on other electronic social platforms.

Finances:

High cost of living and lifestyle have increased financial requirements of all. People who have saved earlier or have regular pensions or regular income from rent, etc., are comfortable. But some do face a financial crunch due to less income and exorbitant medical expenses.

Entertainment and Hobbies:

Some people are satisfied by just doing their routine activities, while others need a variety of tasks to keep themselves busy and happy. Reading hard copies of newspapers, watching and listening to news, watching movies and plays on TV are common activities. Many join kitty parties, ladies club parties, gents groups, retirees group meetings, association meetings, they go to cinema halls, visit malls/markets just to stroll, read books, sing, dance, talk to relatives, shop online.

Daily Outings and Housework:

Senior citizens who are physically active prefer to shopping requirements themselves. Daily shopping of milk, vegetables, bread, etc., is done by them. Some people take help from domestic help. Some also do weekly marketing. Home delivery by shopkeepers is also becoming common. Online banking and visiting banks personally is also done as per need. Many senior citizens do join some full/part-time job either paid or voluntary to keep themselves busy and occupied or to meet financial needs.

Clothes and Accessories:

Most of the senior citizens have adapted to more comfortable clothes. Those women who travel frequently have different sets of clothes, Indian as well as Western or fusion type, for comfort.

Household Support:

In urban areas, helps for day-to-day work like utensil cleaning, washing, home cleaning, cooking, etc., are easily available, and mostly people avail their services.

Outside Trips and Tours:

People who are physically fit, are mobile, and can afford, like to travel within India and overseas. Many go for frequent tours in small family groups, friends' groups, or group trips arranged by tour operators. Some visit their children abroad and live with them for a longer time.

Emotional Support and Security:

With age, many people feel loneliness. There is an emotional void. They want someone to share their thoughts, experiences, life stories. Even strong individuals are not immune to vulnerability. Sometimes, health issues like hormonal disturbances cause depression and mood swings. Many feel happy by joining senior citizens groups, walking groups, ladies groups, men’s groups, and by interacting with relatives on the phone.

Religious/Social Activities:

Visiting religious places in the vicinity, fasting on special days, and wearing particular colors on some days is followed by many people.

CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES

Although majority of senior citizens try to manage their life independently and also try to contribute to society as per their capacity, some do face difficulties and challenges.

Senior citizens living with their children face different types of challenges then those who live alone.

  1. Health issues: Due to aging, many feel low energy levels. They become slow, and movement may become difficult. Other health issues also develop, which have been discussed in earlier paragraphs.
  2. Loneliness: This is a common problem among senior citizens, particularly those who live alone.
  3. Managing everything on their own: Lack of self-confidence, low stamina in walking, fear of going out alone, difficulty in meeting and communicating with people, and getting scared even by minor incidents are common. Managing daily activities at home, handling electronic or electric gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, kitchen equipment, and driving also become challenging. Dependency on others for tasks like finances, shopping, and other government-related work increases.
  4. Reduced mobility: This may be due to laziness or difficulty in coming down from higher floors in multi-storeyed buildings. Movement also reduces within houses that are small and filled with heavy furniture. Small apartments with limited natural light and fresh air can also lead to various health problems.
  5. Difficulty in moving out alone: Heavy traffic and inadequate footpaths can make outdoor movement difficult. In some areas, fear of stray dogs, monkeys, and cats also keep senior citizens indoors.
  6. Reduced social visits: These are often reduced due to lack of company, assistance, or support, as many cannot go out alone.
  7. Finances: If there is no regular or sufficient income, inadequate savings, lack of financial support from children, and high medical expenses, especially when trying to maintain a high standard of living, it can lead to a financial crisis.
  8. Lack of trustworthy people: Dealing with greedy children, relatives, or friends can be challenging. Harassment by relatives and neighbours is also experienced by many senior citizens.
  9. Lack of physical security: There is a fear of financial and cyber fraud, emotional blackmail, and cheating.
  10. Uncertainty about the future: Fear of falling, theft, frauds, or any unforeseen problems is common.
  11. Difficulty in understanding rules and procedures: Filing property tax, paying bills, filling insurance forms, writing complaints, and their follow up are difficult for many, especially if they are not tech-savvy. Though many try to learn, it remains a challenge.
  12. Passing time This is a major issue for many senior citizens.
  13. Lack of reliable domestic help: Reliable support staff is hard to find, and adjusting to their schedules can be difficult.

Few suggestions that may help;

  1. Keep minimum material at home. Make minor modifications in the home if necessary for safety, such as anti-slip flooring in bathrooms, improved lighting, grab bars in bathrooms, night lights, and reducing household bulk like excess furniture.
  2. Rest and sleep time should be followed. Keep working, stay mobile and busy. Yoga, exercise, and walking are the simplest and easiest ways to keep the body fit.
  3. Maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness.
  4. Keep yourself updated. Stay in touch with reliable people. Personally meeting and talking with others helps. The phone can also be a medium. Join discussion groups. Regular social interaction with the right kind of people helps beat depression and loneliness.
  5. Take recommended medicines at the proper time. Regular health checkups are necessary.
  6. Ensure timely payment of health insurance and other bills.
  7. Eat healthy food as per the body’s requirements and at proper times.
  8. Take interest in household work whatever interests you and is safe such as cooking, arranging your bed, dusting, keeping things in place, putting clothes in the washing machine and for drying, folding clothes, gardening, and watering plants. Ego, status, or designation should not prevent you from being active. These activities help keep both the body and mind engaged and healthy.
  9. Try to learn something new or develop a hobby (without straining your body and mind), while keeping safety in mind. Senior citizens may try activities they couldn’t do in their younger days due to constraint can be tired. Activities should be done under guidance your budget, time, interest, health condition, and be done with proper guidance.
  10. Ensure better security for senior citizens through RWAs and social agencies.
  11. Train more reliable and patient young individuals with a genuine inclination for social service in geriatric care, via government or private sector initiatives.
  12. Focus on building comfortable, secure, and senior citizen-friendly apartments/colonies across all budget segments.
  13. Compulsory saving schemes should be introduced for the working class from The young earning age. This will help ensure financial security during old age.
  14. Install emergency response systems, use wearable devices, mobile phones with large fonts and stay connected with reliable people, neighbours, and relatives.
  15. Increase awareness and education among children and young people on how to care for and interact with senior citizens.
  16. Conduct more awareness programs, training, and education sessions for senior citizens on health issues, finances, security, etc., through genuine agencies.

    17. *Nirmal Tikku (Ex-Deputy Director, NIPCCD, New Delhi), June 2025