India currently has an elderly population of around 104 million, which is estimated to increase to 319 million by 2050. In this regard, experts have said that action needs to be taken to deal with healthcare challenges.

Healthy aging is about promoting physical, mental an, and social well-being so that people can live long, healthy a, and fulfilling lives. Experts said the government has been addressing the subject through laudable initiatives, but in the past few years, major issues related to the healthcare of the elderly have emerged.

These things are required-

“To enable the elderly to maintain their independence, remain active, and participate fully in their communities throughout their lives, supportive environments and policies are needed,” Anil Rajput, chairman, of  ASSOCHAM National Council on CSR, said during a panel discussion here.

Globally, aging is one of the most important social challenges of the 21st century. Rajput said, “In India, the elderly population is expected to increase threefold in the next two and a half decades , and old age care is still a relatively new area in healthcare and is mainly confined to cities. I believe that active and sustained participation of the corporate sector, civil a society,y, and the government is necessary for the empowerment of the elderly.”

According to Padma Shri Professor (Dr) Subhash Manchanda, a cardiologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, “Yoga has the potential to control common ailments in the elderly such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and joint problems.”

Also helpful in preventing old age-

He suggested, "Scientific studies show that yoga can reduce brain damage. Along with this, it can also help prevent aging. Therefore, it is suggested that yoga is beneficial for healthy and beautiful old age."

Professor Vinod Kumar, former head of the geriatric clinic and senior consultant in medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said that a person's healthy and happy old age can be achieved only by paying attention to things like a balanced diet, physical exercise, and good sleep.