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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Aging with dignity: Systematic barriers to elders and the path forward in India
Authors
Dr. Girija Nand
Abstract
India is managing a demographic shift never
seen before. Over 138 million people in the nation are 60 years of age or over,
and that number is expected to rise to 340 million by 2050. As a result, the
nation is facing increasing difficulties in ensuring that its senior citizens
age with respect, safety, and meaningful social engagement. Millions of Indian
elderly are nevertheless caught in cycles of poverty, ill health, social
isolation, and institutionalized neglect despite legislative frameworks, policy
measures, and constitutional guarantees. Inadequate pension coverage,
fragmented healthcare access, deterioration of family-based care systems, lack
of elder-friendly infrastructure, ageism, and poor legal enforcement are just a
few of the systemic obstacles that India's senior population faces. It also
describes an all-encompassing future based on community-centered care models,
age-integrated healthcare, digital inclusion, and universal social protection.
The study makes the case that dignified aging should be viewed as a fundamental
right that calls for structural, cultural, and legal change rather than as a
welfare issue.
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Pages:1-4
How to cite this article:
Dr. Girija Nand "Aging with dignity: Systematic barriers to elders and the path forward in India". International Journal of Advanced Research and Development, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 1-4
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