Urban Elderly Care in India
Lack of adequate care for senior citizens is a real issue in India that cuts across(影响) economic and social strata(stratum的复数，阶层). Many of us have personally lived through and experienced it with our parents and elders. Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need. As a result, they compromise on(折中 妥协) their needs and lifestyle. Their children or caregivers(家庭护理员) are forced to spend disproportionate time, and /or resources to support them. So much so, that many women are forced to stay away from the workforce to take care of elders at home. The imminent (即将发生的 临近的) demographic(人口统计), economic, and social changes that accompany the growing population of senior citizens, together with the rising aspirations(渴望 抱负) of the young, leading to more women in the workshop, are rapidly driving up the magnitude of this problem.
If we look at numbers, India is home to 115 million elderly, which is more than 8% of the population. Many of us don't realize it, but that puts India into the category of "aging" countries. While India's overall population will grow by about 40% from 2006 to 2050, the population of the oldest elderly, 80plus, will grow 500% over the same period. This should be enough to make one take notice. Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country. Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.
Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically(偶发的), with emotional advertising that features a poignant(令人沉痛的 悲惨的) conversation involving an elderly grandparent. But there has been very little effort to provide products and services.
The reasons for such apathy(冷淡 冷漠), especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess. Many feel that the elderly are cynical, not open to experiment and not willing to spend. Investors see bigger opportunities for exponential(指数的) growth in addressing young, upwardly mobile(向上改善社会地位) consumers.
Still, I'm left with the question of why aren't more products and services designed for the elderly?
I sense a problem looking for a solution.
The author seems puzzled because...---he sees an opportunity that isn't being addressed.
What's sector of India's populations will grow the fastest between 2006 and 2050?...---those who are 80 or older.
To compromise means to...---take less than what is desired.
To be apathetic means...-- to show little and no interest.
How have businesses address this demographic?...---Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically(偶发的), with emotional advertising that features a poignant(令人沉痛的 悲惨的) conversation involving an elderly grandparent.
What will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country?...---Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country.
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Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.
This should be enough to make one take notice.
Engaging with the elderly will become of one of the biggest areas of work in the country.
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