HelpAge India’s national report on intergenerational dynamics highlights need for better bonds, more digital literacy

A national report, released by NGO HelpAge India on Friday, June 13, 2025, ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which is marked on June 15, has revealed the need to improve intergenerational bonding between young and old people, for digital literacy among the elderly, and for increased awareness about available government schemes.

The report, ‘Understanding Intergenerational Dynamics & Perceptions on Ageing’, is the result of a survey of over 5,700 respondents (70% youth in the 18 to 30 age group and 30% elderly in the above 60 age group) from 10 cities across India.

Among the key findings was that while daily interaction levels were high -- two-thirds of those surveyed reported interactions at home; the frequency being higher in joint families and non-metro cities. Similarly, young persons and the elderly in non-metro cities reported stronger traditional values and intergenerational bonds, but also greater fears about ageing and a wider perceived generation gap.

Interestingly, cultural norms of multi-generational co-residence still exist -- 88% of young people expected to live with family and 83% of seniors currently lived with or planned to move in with family. While children/grandchildren are still expected primary caregivers for the elderly, young people showed a higher inclination towards paid caregiving and assisted living, indicating a growing acceptance of non-familial support.

Also, youth living in close proximity to elders reported higher ‘stereotype negative bias’ scores compared to those living further away, suggesting that frequent exposure doesn’t automatically reduce traditional biases, the report noted. Fears were similar about old age amongst both generations: poor health and financial insecurity.

Digital literacy and financial independence

The survey found 71% of elderly persons using basic mobile phones, but only 41% owned a smartphone and just 13% used computers and the internet. Many found digital tools confusing. Lack of interest and insufficient instruction were found to be significant barriers. Nearly half of elders (45%) are financially independent, but a substantial 38% are partially dependent and 15% are fully dependent. This dependency is higher among older elders, women, and those with less education, the report stated.

Awareness of schemes and healthcare

Awareness of government Schemes is mixed: Elderly citizens show high awareness of monthly pensions (68%) and housing / ration schemes (63%), but significantly lower awareness of legal protection (35%), digital training (31%), and emergency helplines (31%), as per the report.

A majority of elders (43%) described their health as “fair,” “poor,” or “very poor.” Mobility problems (74%) and chronic pain (73%) were the most prevalent health issues. Significant assistance is needed for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) like transportation (74%) and managing money (70%), the report stated.

Recommendations

Among the recommendations by HelpAge India are public education and empathy workshops, including ageing sensitisation curricula in schools and colleges to foster practical empathy; youth-led ‘digital buddy’ programmes for one-on-one digital literacy, strengthening care infrastructure in communities and intergenerational programmes to enhance bonding.

Panel discussion

At a panel discussion held in Chennai during the launch of the report, Edwin Babu, director, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, HelpAge India, pointed out that with lifespans increasing, people in India were living longer, but not with necessarily better quality of lives. Money, he said, was a major concern, with an increasing number of young stating that they would not be able to financially support elderly members of the family. This, he added, was the primary reason for abandonment as well.

V. Umadevi, joint director, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, T.N., spoke of the need to inculcate bonds between the young and the old from an early age and urged the youth to stay rooted to their families. She also noted that the government ran both old age homes and day-care centres for the elderly.

G. Vanitha, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Against Women and Children, Greater Chennai Police, cited cases of attacks on elderly citizens living alone and highlighted the importance of checking in on senior relatives, not leaving them unattended and teaching them to use emergency services including the Kaaval Uthavi App and the Bandhan helpline.

David Sundar Singh, advocate, Madras High Court Legal Services Committee and M. Annadurai, president, Probus Club of Chennai also participated.

Published - June 14, 2025 11:15 am IST