Experts Recommend a Mobility-First Approach to Healthcare for Older Adults

Summary:
Healthcare experts are calling for a mobility-first approach to elder care in India as the country’s ageing population continues to grow. They emphasize that healthy ageing should focus on preserving mobility, strength, and independence through coordinated care involving doctors, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation specialists, rather than treating diseases in isolation. With chronic illnesses appearing earlier in Indians and the number of people aged 60 and above expected to reach 347 million by 2050, experts also stress the importance of preventive healthcare, regular physical activity, rehabilitation, and lifestyle measures to improve quality of life and reduce disability among older adults. 

Although life expectancy in India has improved significantly, healthcare professionals believe the country’s approach to elder care must move beyond simply increasing lifespan and instead focus on helping senior citizens stay active, independent, and physically capable as the ageing population continues to expand.

India’s population of people aged 60 years and above is expected to reach around 347 million by 2050, meaning nearly one out of every five Indians will be a senior citizen.

Experts point out that India faces a distinct healthcare challenge because chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart disease often appear around the age of 50—almost ten years earlier than is commonly seen in many Western nations.

Navneeth Ramprasad, Founder and CEO of Praan Health, a healthcare platform dedicated to individuals aged 50 and above, said that caring for older adults requires an integrated approach rather than isolated medical consultations.

“Our experience with people over the age of 50 has shown that maintaining mobility, muscle strength, and independence depends on close collaboration between doctors, physiotherapists, nutrition experts, and rehabilitation professionals.

“As India’s elderly population increases, preventive healthcare and ongoing support will become just as essential as treating illnesses,” he said.

According to Ramprasad, India’s healthcare system continues to focus largely on treating individual diseases, with elderly patients frequently consulting different specialists independently.

He said this fragmented model often neglects important aspects such as physical mobility, nutritional support, rehabilitation, and pain management, resulting in greater frailty and reduced independence despite successful treatment of individual medical conditions.

“At The Fifty+ Clinic, our care model is centred on coordinated treatment because protecting mobility, strength, and independence requires physicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation specialists to work together,” Ramprasad added.

Dr. Neeraj Nischal, Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, said one of the most common misconceptions is that declining mobility is an unavoidable part of growing older.

“Many elderly individuals experience a loss of muscle strength, balance, and confidence simply because these issues are rarely evaluated until a major event such as a fall or fracture occurs.

“Consistent physical exercise, timely rehabilitation, and early medical intervention can significantly postpone frailty and enable older adults to remain independent for a much longer period,” he explained.

Dr. Rima Dada, Professor of Anatomy at AIIMS Delhi, said successful ageing begins with controlling health risks long before complications arise.

“Most cardiovascular conditions seen in older people actually develop over many years. Proper management of blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet can greatly enhance both life expectancy and overall quality of life. Healthcare should prioritise preventing disability instead of waiting to treat advanced disease,” she said.

She also highlighted the importance of incorporating yoga into everyday life, noting that it contributes not only to a longer lifespan but also to healthier ageing.

Experts further observed that musculoskeletal diseases continue to place a significant burden on older adults.

Industry estimates indicate that over 60 million Indians aged above 50 are affected by osteoporosis, while more than 50 million are living with osteoarthritis.

They also noted that evolving family structures are changing the way elderly care is delivered. As younger family members increasingly relocate to different cities or countries, long-distance caregiving has become more common, making it harder to coordinate medical visits and ongoing treatment.

Dr. Milan Prathipal, Lead Physician at The Fifty+ Clinic, said a doctor’s role extends well beyond prescribing medication.

“Every patient interaction should focus on maintaining mobility, preventing disability, and enhancing overall quality of life.

“At Praan Health, our multidisciplinary team—including physicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation specialists—works together because healthy ageing is not about managing one illness at a time; it is about caring for the individual as a whole,” he said.