On India’s 80th Independence Day, Samarth Life highlights how older adults are redefining independence—not by doing everything alone, but by having dependable support that enables them 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 the biggest barrier was not his health, but fear. Fear of arranging travel through apps, fear of scams, fear of facing a health emergency in another city, and fear of causing additional stress for his daughter living in Canada.

Rather than depending on his family to manage his life from thousands of kilometres away, he chose to establish reliable local support. Today, he continues to live independently in his own home, travels with confidence, and knows that someone trustworthy is available whenever needed.

His story reflects a larger shift 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 that the meaning of freedom should be viewed more broadly. For many older adults, freedom is no longer defined only by retirement or financial independence. It also means having the confidence to continue making their own decisions, 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 increasing dependence on children and family members. While family remains central to Indian life, changing demographics, smaller households, and growing geographic mobility mean that many families now live apart.

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 in other living arrangements. As this trend continues, the question is no longer whether seniors can live independently, but how they can continue to do 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 on its experience of supporting families across India since 2016, Samarth has observed that today’s seniors are not looking for someone else to take over their lives. Instead, they are seeking dependable support that enables them to remain independent for longer.

What Independence After 65 Really Means

Based on years of working alongside older adults and their families, Samarth believes that independence is supported by four essential freedoms:

Freedom from Everyday Hassles

Managing paperwork, bills, repairs, appointments, and household coordination can become increasingly demanding. Dependable local support allows seniors to spend more time focusing on the activities that bring them joy.

Freedom from Health Anxiety

Preventive healthcare coordination, organised medical records, and preparedness for emergencies provide seniors with the confidence to continue living independently.

Freedom from Social Isolation

Maintaining an active social life, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to engage with peers can contribute greatly to emotional wellbeing and healthy ageing.

Freedom from Burdening Family

Many seniors value knowing that they can manage their daily lives without relying on their children for every practical requirement. At the same time, families gain reassurance from knowing that trusted support is available whenever it is required.

Supporting Independence, Not Replacing Families

Professional life management assistance is not a substitute 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 their 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.

NCR DELHI TEAM