On India’s 80th Independence Day, Samarth Life highlights how older adults are giving independence a new meaning—not by doing everything themselves, but by having the right support to continue living life on their own terms.
NEW DELHI | August 12, 2026: When 72-year-old Mr. Sharma, a retired public sector engineer, wanted to visit friends in another city, he realised that his biggest challenge was not related to health, but fear. Fear of arranging travel through apps, fear of scams, fear of a health emergency occurring in another city, and fear of creating additional stress for his daughter who lives in Canada.
Rather than relying on his family to manage his life from thousands of kilometres away, he chose to establish reliable local support. Today, he continues living independently in his own home, travels with confidence, and knows that someone trustworthy is available whenever he needs assistance.
His story reflects a broader change that Samarth Life has observed over nearly a decade of supporting older adults and their families across India.
As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, Samarth believes the meaning of freedom should extend beyond traditional ideas. For many older adults, freedom is no longer only about retirement or financial independence. It is also about having the confidence to continue making their own choices, pursuing personal interests, staying connected with friends and community, and living safely and independently in their own homes.
A New Chapter of Independence
Traditionally, ageing in India has often been associated with greater dependence on children and family members. While family remains central to Indian life, changing demographics, smaller households, and increased geographic mobility mean that many families now live separately.
Publicly available demographic studies, including the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), indicate that nearly 27% of urban older adults live independently of their children, either alone, with their spouse, or through other living arrangements. As this trend continues, the question is no longer whether seniors can remain independent, but how they can continue doing so with confidence and dignity.
“Over the last decade, we’ve seen something inspiring. Older adults don’t want to become dependent, they aspire to remain independent. They want to continue travelling, pursuing hobbies, meeting friends and living confidently in their own homes. What they need is dependable support behind the scenes so everyday responsibilities and unexpected situations don’t limit their freedom. This Independence Day, we celebrate that spirit of ‘Freedom After 65’, because growing older should never mean giving up the freedom to live life on your own terms”, says Asheesh Gupta, Founder & CEO, Samarth Life.
Drawing from its experience of supporting families across India since 2016, Samarth has observed that today’s seniors are not seeking someone to take control of their lives. Instead, they want dependable support that helps them maintain their independence for longer.
What Independence After 65 Really Means
Based on years of working alongside older adults and their families, Samarth believes that independence is built on four essential freedoms:
Freedom from Everyday Hassles
Managing paperwork, bills, household repairs, appointments, and routine coordination can become increasingly demanding. Reliable local assistance gives seniors the freedom to spend more time on activities that bring them joy.
Freedom from Health Anxiety
Preventive healthcare coordination, organised medical records, and preparation for emergencies provide seniors with greater confidence to continue living independently.
Freedom from Social Isolation
Maintaining an active social life, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to interact with peers can play an important role in emotional wellbeing and healthy ageing.
Freedom from Burdening Family
Many seniors value being able to manage daily life without depending on their children for every practical need. At the same time, families gain reassurance from knowing that trusted support is available whenever required.
Supporting Independence, Not Replacing Families
Professional life management assistance is not a replacement for family support; instead, it acts as an extension of the family’s support system. By combining personalised care coordination, preventive health management, emergency preparedness, and day-to-day assistance, organisations such as Samarth help older adults remain in control of their own lives while providing families with peace of mind.
About Samarth Life
Founded in 2016, Samarth enables older adults to age with dignity and independence in their own homes. Recently highlighted in The Economic Times and Times of India as a benchmark for elder care in India, Samarth provides personalised care management, preventive healthcare coordination, emergency response, lifestyle assistance, and community engagement. Samarth partners with thousands of families across India to help seniors lead safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
