The projected increase of 20% of the elderly population by 2050 from the current 8% may increase the socio-economic and healthcare pressures. However, the efforts to develop a regime of health and social care to meet the demands of the changing demography have been insufficient.

· As the ageing population expands, the disease patterns are shifting from communicable to non-communicable diseases.

· Abandonment by their families, destitution, homelessness, inability to access healthcare, low levels of institutional support, depression associated with separation of families.

· Disability in performing activities of daily life(ADL) such as feeding, dressing, bathing or showering.

. Higher out of pocket expenditure for many menial survival outfits.

. Elderly, A Fast-Growing but Underutilised Resource: While one perspective looks at them as dependents, a rather different view would look at them as a potential asset: a massive resource of experienced, knowledgeable people.

The policy implications are:

Despite Ayushman Bharat and public health insurance schemes, a NITI Aayog report indicates that 400 million Indians do not have any financial cover for health expenses.

· The shift from communicable to non-communicable disease patterns requires re-gearing of healthcare needs to preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of health which may result in enormous costlier challenges.

· Advocacy and information campaigns are necessary to redirect social attitudes towards ageing.

· As younger generation are left with no time and energy to spend on elderly, senior citizens are having to turn to other institutional arrangements. While the rich can afford private retirement housing, the poor have to resort to the government resources which are inadequate.

. Similar to countries like in Europe which have small communities to take care of the elderly and provide them related facilities, India can build such a type of youth army to help elderly in the far away areas.