❖ The report titled 'Ageing in India - Exploring Preparedness & Response to Care Challenges - A Help Age India Report' was released recently.

❖ Around 29% of senior citizens receive financial support from family members, with older women slightly more likely to receive aid than men.

❖ The projected magnitude of the elderly population is estimated at 319 million by mid-century, growing by around 3% a year.

❖ This group will be feminine with a sex ratio of 1,065 females per thousand males; further, 54% of elderly women will be widows.

❖ While 6% of the elderly men live alone against 9% of their female counterparts, 70% of them are to be found in rural areas.

❖ Food insecurity among India’s elderly where 6% of those above 45 years of age ate smaller portions or skipped meals.

❖ 5.3% of them did not eat despite being hungry.

❖ 75% of the elderly population are victims of one or more chronic diseases and 40% of those aged 45 and above have one or the other disability.