Accessibility Challenges In Indian Cities

Across all sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, and digital technologies, seniors living in India experience barriers to accessing the world. The vast majority of public transport systems and spaces have not been designed with seniors in mind including the absence of ramps or elevators. With few exceptions, seniors have not been able to keep up with the rapid changes to our economy due to digitisation of all services occurring in India, creating an increasing gap between younger and older generations when it comes to accessing important information or tools needed by citizens to participate in their communities. Geriatric specialisation is lacking in the field of healthcare making it increasingly difficult for seniors to obtain geriatric care. Because of these barriers, India’s seniors have become less mobile, less independent, and have a lesser quality of life than previously experienced.

Elderly in India Experience Many Accessibility Challenges

Physical and infrastructure obstacles

Such as an abundance of adequate amenities for the elderly like ramps, railings, adequate lighting, non-slip surfaces, footpaths, etc., which allows for independence through free movement, mobility, and decrease of chance of injury due to lack of these items.

Transportation issues

Such as overcrowded bus or train systems making it impossible for seniors to travel commercially regardless of their need for reserved seating. Digital barriers such as having every type of service available to seniors through the internet means they are excluded from many aspects of life because of the overwhelming amount of information they must navigate (complex websites, small font sizes, and overall lack of digital literacy).

Lack of access or affordability of healthcare

For seniors due to many issues, including scarce availability of trained geriatric care in rural areas; lack of insurance coverage; high out-of-pocket costs; and poor or overcrowded public health infrastructure make accessing healthcare extremely challenging for many seniors.

In addition, many seniors do not have access to any type of information about available government welfare programs due to lack of access to the internet or lack of avenues to obtain adequate communication.

Last but not least, the rapid rate of urbanization has eliminated many of the natural support systems previously found in close-knit communities, which has created increased levels of social isolation as well as concerns for individual safety and security.

Addressing Challenges In The Elderly

Targeted government subsidies and reforms to insurance coverage that allow for pre-existing conditions, something that impacts the vast majority of elderly people – can significantly reduce our elderly’s financial burden. Another key element to providing financial relief to people over 65 is to have strong healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, either by enhancing the use of telemedicine, or implementing mobile units that deliver healthcare services directly into communities without access to basic care.

To enhance the quality of public health services for the elderly, we must invest consistently in upgrading facilities, increasing the number of trained healthcare providers and creating dedicated geriatric service units in existing systems. Creating a culture of sensitivity and respect among the workforce that provides services to the elderly is equally important, ensuring that elderly patients will be treated with the dignity that they deserve and have their specific physical and mental needs understood and addressed.

Conclusion

India’s healthcare system is still struggling to provide consistent and effective help for the large number of elderly people on their way to living a longer time. Government programs have been successful in expanding health care coverage for many elderly citizens; but there are significant gaps in elderly people having access to obtaining adequate health care regardless of where they live, what their income is, and/or what their circumstances may be. There are also still many people who do not qualify for assistance under the various government programs that currently exist.