The Untold Epidemic of Elderly Neglect in India — Why Your Family Could Be Next?

 

https://www.yodda.care/

Picture this: An 80-year-old grandmother sits alone in a corner room, her dinner plate untouched, waiting for someone—anyone—to check on her. Her son is busy with office calls. Her daughter-in-law is managing the kids' homework. Nobody has time. This isn't a scene from a sad movie. This is happening right now in thousands of Indian homes. And tomorrow, it could be your parents. Or even you.

The Silent Crisis Nobody Talks About.

We Indians love to believe we're different from the West. "We take care of our elders," we say proudly. "We don't send them to old age homes." But the numbers tell a different, heartbreaking story.

Nearly half of all elderly people in India face some form of abuse, according to research from medical institutions. Let that sink in. One out of every two senior citizens—your mother, your father, your grandmother—experiences neglect, disrespect, or worse.

By 2050, more than 20% of India's population will be over 60 years old. That's over 340 million people. Right now, around 10% of Indians belong to the 60-plus age group. This number is doubling within just 25 years. Are we ready? Clearly not.

What Does Elderly Neglect Actually Look Like?

Neglect isn't always dramatic. It doesn't always involve physical abuse or being thrown out of the house. Sometimes it's quieter. More invisible. And that makes it even more dangerous.

The Many Faces of Neglect.

Research shows that psychological abuse is the most common form, followed by neglect and financial exploitation. Here's what this looks like in real life:

Emotional Neglect: Not talking to elderly parents for days. Ignoring their opinions. Making them feel like a burden. Disrespect affects 56% of abused elders, while verbal abuse affects 49%.

Physical Neglect: Forgetting their medicines. Not taking them to the doctor. Serving them food last, or not at all. Leaving them in dirty clothes. About 33% of elderly people face neglect.

Financial Abuse: Taking control of their pension. Selling their property without permission. Not giving them money for basic needs. According to HelpAge India's 2018 survey, one-fourth of urban elders reported abuse, with sons responsible for 52% of cases and daughters-in-law for 34%.

Social Isolation: Not allowing them to meet friends. Keeping them locked in one room. Not including them in family celebrations.

Medical Neglect: Refusing to spend money on their treatment. Calling their pain "just old age." Ignoring serious symptoms until it's too late.

The Numbers That Should Scare Us All.

Let me share some facts that most people don't know:

Nearly 50% of elderly people face emotional, physical, or financial abuse, but only 15% report it due to fear and dependency. Think about that—85% of cases never get reported. Why? Because they're scared. Scared of being thrown out. Scared of losing the little contact they have with their children. Scared of dying alone.

One in every three elderly people has had no income in the past year. Without money, they lose their voice. They become completely dependent. And dependency often leads to neglect.

Twenty percent of urban elderly and 10% of rural elderly live completely alone. No spouse. No children nearby. Just four walls and endless silence.

Globally, one in six people over 60 experienced abuse in care facilities. So even paid care isn't always safe.

Who Is Most at Risk?

This might surprise you, but elderly people living with their children face 9 times higher odds of abuse compared to those who don't live with children. Living together doesn't guarantee safety. Sometimes, it increases risk.

Here's who faces the highest danger:

Elderly Women: Over 50% of elderly women are widows, with about 18.7% living without any income. Society treats widows badly. Many lose property rights after their husbands die. They become invisible.

The Very Old: People aged 80 and above face more abuse because they need more care, which some families see as a "burden."

The Illiterate: Around 40% of elderly people are illiterate. Without education, they don't know their rights. They can't access government schemes. They can't even operate a smartphone to call for help.

Those Without Income: Only 29% of elderly people have access to social security schemes like pensions. The rest depend completely on family goodwill.

Why Is This Happening?

India is changing fast. But our hearts and homes aren't keeping up.

The Death of the Joint Family.

We grew up hearing stories of joint families where grandparents were respected and cared for. That world is disappearing. Nuclear families are now the norm. Young couples live in small flats with barely enough space for themselves and their kids. Where do the elderly fit?

Migration and Distance.

Children move to different cities, even different countries, for jobs. Parents are left behind in hometowns. Video calls can't replace a hug. WhatsApp messages can't notice when someone hasn't eaten all day.

The "Burden" Mindset.

Financial burden, space crunch, and unemployment are driving children to force elderly parents out of homes. When money is tight, caring for elderly parents feels like an extra expense many families can't afford—or simply don't want to afford.

Digital Exclusion.

India's elders are far behind in terms of digital access and knowledge. In a world moving online, they're being left behind. They can't book doctor appointments. Can't check bank accounts. Can't even order groceries. This digital gap increases their dependency and isolation.

Nobody Wants to Talk About It.

The primary reason 59% of people don't report elder abuse is to protect family privacy. We care more about what society thinks than about the suffering inside our homes. "Log kya kahenge?" still rules our decisions.

Real Stories From Real People.

These aren't made-up stories. These are glimpses into the lives of real elderly Indians:

A 75-year-old man in Delhi had his pension stolen by his son every month. When he protested, his son didn't speak to him for weeks. The old man stopped asking.

An 82-year-old woman in Mumbai was kept in a separate room. Her daughter-in-law served her food once a day—usually leftovers. She lost 15 kilos in six months.

In February 2024, cricketer Ravindra Jadeja's father spoke publicly about strained ties with his son, saying he lives on a meager pension of Rs. 20,000 monthly. If this can happen in a wealthy family, imagine what happens in homes with less money and more stress.

The Legal Reality: Do Elderly People Have Rights?

Yes, they do. But knowing about rights and getting justice are two different things.

Only 10.92% of elderly people are aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007. This law makes it mandatory for children to provide maintenance to their parents. If they refuse, parents can approach a tribunal. But most elderly people don't even know this law exists.

Even when elderly people know their rights, taking legal action against your own children is emotionally devastating. Most would rather suffer in silence than drag family matters to court.

What Can We Do? Real Solutions That Actually Work.

This problem won't fix itself. We need action—from families, society, and the government.

For Families.

Talk Openly: Have honest conversations before problems start. Discuss living arrangements, finances, and care responsibilities early.

Include Them: Make your elderly parents part of daily life. Ask their opinions. Tell them about your day. Let them participate in decisions.

Financial Security: Help them access pensions and government schemes. Only 29% currently have access. Don't take control of their money. Let them keep their dignity.

Regular Health Checkups: Don't ignore health complaints. Take them seriously. Early treatment prevents bigger problems.

Social Connection: Encourage friendships. Help them stay in touch with old friends. Take them out sometimes. Loneliness kills slowly.

For Society.

Normalize Elderly Care: Stop treating old age as shameful. Stop treating care homes as "dumps for unwanted parents." Good care facilities should be seen as helpful resources, not signs of family failure.

Community Programs: Senior citizen clubs, hobby classes, and volunteer opportunities help elderly people stay active and connected.

Awareness Campaigns: More people need to know about elder abuse and what to do about it.

For the Government.

Better Implementation: Laws exist but aren't enforced well. Tribunals are slow. Help is hard to reach.

Accessible Healthcare: Set up more geriatric care units at district hospitals and promote telemedicine.

Pension Expansion: Only 10% of elderly have pension coverage, and just 5% in rural areas. This needs to change urgently.

How Technology Can Help: Meet Yodda.

While traditional support systems struggle to keep pace, technology is opening new doors in elderly care. Yodda is a technology-based company working in two critical areas: elder care and women's safety.

In the field of elder care, Yodda understands that families want to care for their elderly loved ones but often struggle with distance, time, and resources. Technology can bridge these gaps:

Smart Monitoring: Families can check on elderly parents remotely, ensuring their safety even when living far away.

Emergency Response: Quick access to help when needed most—because every second counts in a medical emergency.

Connection to Services: Easy access to healthcare, daily needs, and social activities through user-friendly digital platforms.

Dignity and Independence: Technology that empowers elderly people to live independently while staying safe and connected.

The future of elder care isn't about replacing human touch with machines. It's about using technology to make care more accessible, affordable, and effective for everyone.

Your Family Could Be Next.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: if current trends continue, neglecting elderly parents will become even more common. By 2046, elderly people will outnumber children in India. That's just 21 years away.

Every family—including yours—will face this challenge. How will you handle it? Will your parents spend their final years feeling loved and valued? Or will they become another statistic in the growing epidemic of elderly neglect?

What You Can Do Right Now?

1. Call your parents or grandparents today. Ask how they're doing. Really listen.

2. Check their finances. Do they have access to pensions? Do they control their own money?

3. Schedule a health checkup. Don't wait for symptoms to worsen.

4. Learn about legal rights. Know about the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. Save the Elder Helpline number: 14567.

5. Have the difficult conversation. Talk about the future. Make plans together.

6. Educate others. Share this information with friends and family. Awareness is the first step to change.

The Bottom Line.

Elderly neglect in India is not someone else's problem. It's our problem. It's happening in homes next door. In apartments upstairs. Maybe even in your own family.

The generation that built this country, that sacrificed for their children, that worked hard all their lives—they deserve better than to spend their final years feeling unwanted and alone.

We can do better. We must do better.

Because one day, you'll be old too. And the way we treat our elderly today sets the standard for how we'll be treated tomorrow.

The question is: What kind of future are you building?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Q1: What exactly counts as elderly neglect? A: Neglect includes not providing food, medicines, or medical care; emotional abuse like ignoring or insulting; financial exploitation; social isolation; and failing to maintain basic hygiene and living conditions.

Q2: Is elderly neglect illegal in India? A: Yes. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 makes it mandatory for children to maintain their parents. Violation can result in imprisonment or fines.

Q3: What should I do if I suspect an elderly person is being neglected? A: Contact the Elder Helpline at 14567. You can also reach out to local police or NGOs like HelpAge India. Many states have senior citizen helpdesks.

Q4: Are old age homes bad? A: Not necessarily. Good quality care homes can provide safety, medical care, and social connection. The problem is when families abandon elderly members without their consent or choose poor-quality facilities.

Q5: How can I ensure my elderly parents are financially secure? A: Help them access pension schemes, maintain control over their own bank accounts and property, create a monthly budget, and keep them informed about financial decisions. Never take complete control of their money without their consent.

Q6: What if my parents refuse help? A: Many elderly people don't want to be seen as a "burden." Have patient, respectful conversations. Involve them in decisions. Offer choices rather than imposing solutions. Sometimes professional counselors can help facilitate these discussions.

Q7: How can technology help in elderly care? A: Technology can provide emergency response systems, health monitoring, easy communication with family, access to telemedicine, online delivery of medicines and groceries, and safety alerts. Companies like Yodda are making these solutions more accessible.

Q8: My siblings and I live in different cities. How do we share elderly care responsibilities? A: Have an honest family meeting. Divide responsibilities based on each person's strengths and resources. One sibling might handle finances, another might handle medical care, while another provides emotional support. Regular family updates help everyone stay involved.

Q9: What are the warning signs that an elderly person needs more help? A: Watch for sudden weight loss, poor hygiene, missed medications, unpaid bills, withdrawal from social activities, unexplained bruises, confusion about finances, and depression or anxiety.

Q10: Is there any government support available for elderly care? A: Yes. Programs include Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, and Ayushman Bharat coverage for 70-plus seniors. Check with your local government offices for details.