On India’s 80th Independence Day, Samarth Life highlights how older adults are redefining independence—not by managing everything alone, 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 the biggest challenge was not his health, but fear. Fear of booking travel through apps, fear of scams, fear of facing a health emergency in another city, and fear of creating additional stress for his daughter living in Canada.
Instead of depending on his family to manage his life from thousands of kilometres away, he decided to put dependable local support in place. Today, he continues living independently in his own home, travels with confidence, and knows that someone trustworthy is available whenever he needs help.
His experience reflects a wider shift that Samarth Life has witnessed over nearly a decade of supporting senior citizens and their families across India.
As India marks its 80th Independence Day, Samarth believes the meaning of freedom should be expanded. 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, following their interests, staying connected with friends and the community, and living safely and independently in their own homes.
A New Chapter of Independence
Traditionally, ageing in India has often been linked with increasing dependence on children and family members. While family continues to remain central to Indian life, changing demographics, smaller households, and greater geographic mobility mean that many families now live apart.
Publicly available demographic research, including the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), indicates 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.
Based on its experience of supporting families across India since 2016, Samarth has observed that today’s seniors are not looking for someone to take control of their lives. Instead, they are seeking reliable support that helps them continue living independently for longer.
What Independence After 65 Really Means
Based on years of working closely with older adults and their families, Samarth believes that independence is built around four essential freedoms:
Freedom from Everyday Hassles
Managing paperwork, bills, household repairs, appointments, and everyday coordination can become increasingly demanding. Dependable local support enables seniors to focus more on the activities and experiences that bring them happiness.
Freedom from Health Anxiety
Preventive healthcare coordination, properly organised medical records, and preparedness for emergencies give seniors greater confidence to continue living independently.
Freedom from Social Isolation
Maintaining an active social life, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to interact with peers can contribute significantly to emotional wellbeing and healthy ageing.
Freedom from Burdening Family
Many seniors value the confidence of knowing that they can handle their daily lives without depending on their children for every practical requirement. At the same time, families gain peace of mind knowing that trusted support is available whenever it is needed.
Supporting Independence, Not Replacing Families
Professional life management assistance is not intended to replace family; rather, 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 remain in control of their own lives while giving their families greater 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 offers personalised care management, preventive healthcare coordination, emergency response, lifestyle assistance, and community engagement. Samarth works with thousands of families across India to help senior citizens live safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
