On India’s 80th Independence Day, Samarth Life highlights how older adults are redefining independence—not by taking care of everything alone, but by having dependable support that helps them 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 travel to another city to meet friends, he realised that the biggest obstacle was not his health, but fear. Fear of using apps to arrange travel, fear of scams, fear of facing a health emergency in a different city, and fear of adding extra stress for his daughter who lives in Canada.
Instead of depending on his family to manage his life from thousands of kilometres away, he chose to put dependable local support in place. Today, he continues to live independently in his own home, travels with confidence, and knows that someone trustworthy is available whenever support is required.
His story reflects a broader shift that Samarth Life has witnessed during nearly a decade of supporting older adults and their families across India.
As India marks its 80th Independence Day, Samarth believes it is important to expand the idea of freedom. 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 choices, following their 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 continues to remain central to Indian life, changing demographics, smaller households, and growing geographic mobility mean that many families today 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 remain independent, 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 want reliable support that allows them to remain independent for longer.
What Independence After 65 Really Means
Based on years of working with older adults and their families, Samarth believes independence is based on four essential freedoms:
Freedom from Everyday Hassles
Handling paperwork, bills, repairs, appointments, and household coordination can become increasingly demanding over time. Dependable local support allows seniors to focus more on the activities and experiences that bring them joy.
Freedom from Health Anxiety
Preventive healthcare coordination, organised medical records, and preparedness for emergencies provide seniors with greater confidence to continue living independently.
Freedom from Social Isolation
Having an active social life, maintaining meaningful relationships, and getting regular opportunities to engage with peers can contribute significantly to emotional wellbeing and healthy ageing.
Freedom from Burdening Family
Many seniors value knowing that they can manage their day-to-day 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 needed.
Supporting Independence, Not Replacing Families
Professional life management assistance is not meant to replace family support; instead, it serves 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 stay in control of their own lives while giving families peace of mind.
About Samarth Life
Founded in 2016, Samarth helps older adults 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 live safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
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