By On India’s 80th Independence Day, Samarth Life highlights how older adults are reshaping the idea of independence—not by doing everything on their own, but by having the right support to continue living life according to their own choices.
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 challenge was not his health, but fear. Fear of arranging travel through apps, fear of scams, fear of experiencing a health emergency in another city, and fear of creating extra 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 arrange dependable local support. Today, he continues to live independently in his own home, travels with confidence, and knows that someone trustworthy is available whenever support is needed.
His story represents a broader change that Samarth Life has witnessed over nearly a decade of supporting older adults and their families across India.
As India observes its 80th Independence Day, Samarth believes it is time to give a broader meaning to freedom. For many older adults, freedom is no longer only about retirement or financial independence. It is also about having the confidence to continue making personal 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 linked with increasing dependence on children and family members. While family continues to remain an important part of Indian life, changing demographics, smaller households, and greater 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 through other living arrangements. As this trend continues, the question is no longer whether seniors can live independently, 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 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 want dependable 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 that independence is built around four important freedoms:
Freedom from Everyday Hassles
Managing paperwork, bills, household repairs, appointments, and everyday coordination can become more demanding over time. Reliable local assistance allows seniors to spend more time on activities that bring them happiness.
Freedom from Health Anxiety
Preventive healthcare coordination, properly maintained 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 regular opportunities to interact with peers plays an important role in emotional wellbeing and healthy ageing.
Freedom from Burdening Family
Many seniors value the ability to manage their daily lives without depending on their children for every practical requirement. At the same time, families gain reassurance knowing that trusted support is available whenever it is required.
Supporting Independence, Not Replacing Families
Professional life management assistance does not replace family support; instead, it works 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 also 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.
