Every Second Elderly Person in India Suffers from Two or More Diseases

Every Second Elderly Person in India Suffers from Two or More Diseases
According to a survey by HelpAge India, every second elderly person in India is affected by two or more non-communicable diseases. The survey reveals that 54% of elderly individuals suffer from two or more chronic health conditions.
Around 26% of seniors, or one in four, face severe conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or other similar chronic diseases. During the survey, it was found that 20% of elderly respondents were unaware of their existing illnesses. Additionally, according to the survey, 80% or more elderly individuals aged above 60 lack access to regular health checkups and necessary medical care.
Key Findings:
•    Health Conditions: The most common health issues among the elderly are high blood pressure (48%) and diabetes (43%). Other prevalent issues include arthritis (35%), respiratory diseases, and joint pain. About 19% also reported high cholesterol problems.
•    Access to Technology: Only 39% of the elderly own a smartphone or other digital devices, with 59% having no digital access at all. Digital device usage was higher among men (47%) and those aged 60-69 (43%). Only 12% of elderly individuals had used online banking or digital payments, and very few had used any digital health services.
•    Pension Accessibility: Approximately 29% of elderly individuals reported delays in receiving their pension. The survey revealed that awareness about pension schemes was higher among younger seniors, with 60% of those aged 60-69 being informed, compared to only 31% among those aged 71-79 and 37% among those aged 80 and above.
The survey was conducted over five months, covering over 20,000 elderly individuals across India. Approximately 1,300 doctors and health professionals participated in the survey to gather information on the health and care needs of the elderly.