Social Samvad (Author- Vibha Kumari,Development Professional ): The loss of a loved one brings with it a wave of grief that can be overwhelming. It also forces us to confront the stark realities that many in our society face, particularly the elderly, who seem to have been forgotten in the very systems designed to care for them. The recent passing of my beloved grandfather, after an agonizing battle to secure even the most basic medical attention, has left a deep scar on my heart. It also opened my eyes to the brutal truth: the neglect of the elderly in India is a pervasive and systemic issue that cannot be ignored any longer.
For 15 days, my family endured the heartbreak of watching my grandfather unconscious while desperately seeking his treatment. My grandfather, who had fallen into a coma, was denied admission to ICU despite the urgency of his condition. We faced a barrage of refusals, dismissals, and outright neglect. One of India’s premier medical institutions, BHU, turned him away simply because of his age—88 years. This rejection was not only devastating; it was inhumane. Private hospitals, prioritizing profits over people, compounded our despair. At a time when every second mattered, we were left in a state of helplessness, feeling that my grandfather’s life was considered less valuable simply because of his age. He was not just a patient; he was a repository of memories, wisdom, and love—a man who had given everything to his family and society, only to be failed by the system when he needed it most.
This painful ordeal is not unique. Across India, millions of elderly people are subjected to similar experiences of neglect. The societal view of the elderly as burdens, rather than as repositories of wisdom and experience, has seeped into our healthcare system. This dehumanizing perspective leads to countless stories of neglect, where the elderly are left to fend for themselves in a world that no longer seems to value them.
India’s elderly population—over 140 million individuals aged 60 and above—is expected to triple by 2050. Yet, despite this alarming demographic shift, the healthcare system remains woefully unprepared. Reports by the National Sample Survey (NSS) and other institutions reveal a bleak picture: nearly 45% of elderly patients face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, and over 65% of elderly individuals in rural areas receive no health services at all. These numbers are not just statistics—they are stories of human suffering, stories of our grandparents, our elders, who built this country, now being abandoned when they need us the most.
The emotional toll of losing my grandfather is immeasurable, but it also ignites a deep frustration with a system that failed him—and fails so many others. Our elders should not have to fight for the right to basic medical care. They should not have to prove their worth in their final years, especially after spending a lifetime contributing to their families and society. We must ask ourselves: what kind of society have we become when we allow the most vulnerable among us to be treated as expendable?
