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This article is authored by Rajit Mehta, MD & CEO, Antara Senior Care.
Loneliness has often been compared to the health risks of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Globally, the link between social isolation and a cascade of detrimental outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and even premature death, is well established. In India, however, the discourse surrounding well-being of senior citizens predominantly centres around physical health, relegating the critical aspects of emotional and mental health to the shadows.
Statistics paint a concerning picture. Almost 20% of India's senior population grapples with mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. The situation is particularly acute in rural India, where a staggering two-thirds of older adults report feelings of loneliness, often exacerbated by the migration of younger generations to urban centres and the shift from joint to nuclear family structures. The medical ramifications of the impact of poor mental health on physical health, recovery and longevity are also well established and known. With India poised to become home to over 300 million seniors by 2050, the emotional well-being of this growing demographic, set to account for 20% of the entire population or one in five persons, demands a far more prominent position in the national consciousness, conversations and charter.