Primus Partners latest report titled “Empty Courtyards, Fading Voices: Elderly Lives Amid Migration”, a report on the Migration of Elderly in India" highlights the profound challenges faced by India’s elderly population amid rapid demographic changes and migration drifts. India is home of an estimated 150 million elderly currently and poised to more than double by 2050. This demographic transition intersects with complex migration patterns, redefining aging and eldercare in many ways. The traditional joint family systems that once ensured care and company are fragmenting due to urbanization, economic migration, and globalization, leaving many elderly vulnerable in different contexts i.e. left-behind elders in villages grappling with loneliness and limited healthcare access; urban elderly contending with social isolation and digital exclusion; elders uprooted within cities struggling to rebuild identity; and grandparents displaced abroad facing cultural isolation despite living with family.

Our report looks at how caring for older people today needs to go much further than just healthcare or pensions. It’s about creating a more compassionate and practical system that supports every part of their lives. We explore how healthcare and emotional well-being can be improved by identifying places where many elderly people are affected by migration, expanding telemedicine, and involving community volunteers. We also look at ways to help seniors feel more included, through senior clubs, intergenerational activities, local safety networks, and digital literacy programs that are sensitive to different cultures. The report highlights how institutions and companies can help by developing welcoming public spaces, one-stop support centres, and meaningful opportunities for seniors to stay active and connected. It also stresses the need for more in-depth studies to truly understand the everyday lives and challenges of India’s growing elderly population.