Study Finds Elders Feel Overlooked Despite Vital Family Roles
Cultural norms strongly favor multi-generational living, with most youth expecting to co-reside with family and many elders already doing so.
A comprehensive study by HelpAge India, conducted across 10 metro and non-metro cities with nearly 6,000 respondents—mostly youth, with a smaller group of elders from urban middle-class households—offers fresh insights into the evolving dynamics between generations in India.
The report released on Friday ( 13 June 2025) explores perceptions, interactions, and aspirations around ageing, revealing both enduring cultural values and emerging challenges in fostering meaningful connections.
Perceptions of Ageing: Respect Meets Stereotypes
Youth often view elders as wise and respected but also as lonely or dependent, influenced heavily by media portrayals that depict elders as caring yet frail or comical.
Elders, in turn, frequently express negative feelings about ageing, citing loneliness, neglect, or weakness as dominant emotions.
While youth hold elders in high regard, many elders feel their opinions are not genuinely valued in practice, with one respondent stated “We are told the plan, not asked.”
Youth living closer to elders tend to harbor more negative stereotypes, suggesting that physical proximity alone doesn’t reduce biases without deeper, meaningful engagement.
Interactions: Family Bonds and the Digital Divide
Family remains the heart of intergenerational connection, with youth primarily engaging with grandparents and parents, and elders with sons and grandsons.
Daily interactions, common among both groups, occur mostly at home, particularly in joint families and non-metro cities where traditional community structures thrive.
Face-to-face communication dominates, but elders engage far less in digital modes like video calls or social media compared to youth, highlighting a significant digital gap. Shared activities, such as personal conversations and eating meals together, remain key to daily bonding, reinforcing the importance of these rituals.
Elders’ Contributions and Respect
Elders feel most respected by younger family members and healthcare providers, with many reporting their opinions are regularly considered in family decisions.
They contribute significantly through advice, childcare, and household tasks, while also providing financial and emotional support.
Most elders believe their value in the eyes of youth has either grown or remained steady, underscoring their vital role in family life.
Digital Inclusion: Bridging the Gap
While many elders use basic mobile phones, fewer own smartphones, and even fewer use computers, the internet, or social media.
Common barriers include finding digital tools confusing, fearing mistakes, or lacking proper guidance. Children and grandchildren are the primary digital teachers, but elders often cite youth’s impatience or rushed explanations as challenges.
Youth, meanwhile, perceive elders as disinterested or forgetful. Despite these hurdles, most elders feel technology has brought them closer to youth, pointing to opportunities for better digital inclusion with improved support.
Financial and Health Support: Perception Gaps
Youth frequently assist elders with financial tasks like ATM withdrawals and health insurance, though they often under-recognize their role in these routine activities.
Both generations agree on the importance of accompanying elders to medical appointments, but emotional care lags behind.
Fewer elders expect youth to address their emotional concerns compared to youth who recognize this need, revealing a gap in emotional communication.
Communication Challenges and Optimism
Busy schedules and mutual perceptions of disinterest are the top barriers to intergenerational interaction.
Youth feel more judged or misunderstood than elders, and both groups acknowledge a notable generational gap.
Yet, optimism shines through, with many youth and elders believing mutual understanding can improve through quality time and open, respectful conversations.
Support Systems and Future Aspirations
Family is the primary support system for most elders, especially those over 80 or financially dependent.
Many youth express a willingness to enhance elders’ lives through companionship or tech assistance.
Both generations share fears of loneliness, poor health, and financial insecurity in old age.
Cultural norms strongly favor multi-generational living, with most youth expecting to co-reside with family and many elders already doing so.
However, youth show greater openness to non-familial care options like paid caregivers or assisted living, reflecting a pragmatic shift.
A Path Forward
The HelpAge India 2025 report calls for deeper engagement to bridge generational divides.
By fostering open dialogue, improving digital literacy, and addressing emotional and practical needs, urban India can strengthen the intergenerational bonds that remain a cultural cornerstone.
As one elder poignantly stated, “We don’t need much—just time, respect, and a chance to be heard.”
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