A recent report from the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI) highlights the pressing need for improved care services for India’s growing elderly population. Released during the 7th ASLI Ageing Fest 2026 in Chennai, the report titled “Silver Surge 2.0 – From Places to Care: Building India’s Senior Care Continuum” indicates that by 2026, the number of people aged 60 and above in India could reach approximately 166.9 million, and this figure is expected to swell to around 347 million by 2050.
Despite this significant demographic shift, the report points out that organized senior living options currently reach only about 1.5% of this age group, with assisted living facilities making up less than 10% of the available options. The study reveals alarming statistics, including that about 8.8 million Indians are afflicted with dementia, and around 12.2% of seniors require supportive or palliative care.
Key challenges identified in the report include a lack of trained workforce, inadequate funding, and varying quality standards across services. A survey conducted among senior care providers showed that 75% consider workforce training essential, while 67% emphasized the need for increased financial support. The findings also noted that many senior care services, including long-term care and rehabilitation, are often paid for out of pocket by families.
To tackle these issues, the report suggests a framework called S.C.A.L.E., which outlines 14 actions to be implemented by 2026–27. This includes improving standards and policies for care, enhancing financing options, focusing on assisted and comprehensive care, recruitment and training for workers, and the integration of technology in service delivery. It advocates for structured training for caregivers, insurance coverage for out-of-hospital care, and uniform quality standards to improve senior care services across the board.
The report was developed with assistance from PwC India and incorporates data from public sources, JLL–ASLI market analyses, and surveys conducted with providers of senior care services.
