On India’s 80th Independence Day, Samarth Life highlights how older adults are giving a new meaning to independence—not by handling everything alone, but by having dependable support that allows 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, planned to visit friends in another city, he realised that the biggest barrier was not his health, but fear. Fear of using apps to arrange travel, fear of scams, fear of facing a health emergency away from home, and fear of adding stress for his daughter who lives in Canada.

Instead of relying on his family to manage his day-to-day life from thousands of kilometres away, he chose to create a dependable local support system. Today, he continues to live independently in his own home, travels with greater confidence, and knows that trustworthy assistance is available whenever required.

His experience reflects a wider change that Samarth Life has seen during nearly a decade of supporting older adults and their families across India.

As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, Samarth believes it is important to expand the meaning of freedom. For many older adults, freedom is no longer limited to retirement or financial independence. It also means having the confidence to keep making personal choices, following interests, staying connected with friends and community, and continuing to live safely and independently in their own homes.

A New Chapter of Independence

Traditionally, ageing in India has often been associated with growing dependence on children and family members. While family continues to play a central role in Indian life, changing demographics, smaller households, and increasing geographic mobility mean that many families now live in different locations.

Publicly available demographic research, including the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), shows that nearly 27% of urban older adults live independently of their children, whether alone, with their spouse, or through other living arrangements. As this trend grows, the question is no longer whether seniors are capable of remaining 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 from its experience of supporting families across India since 2016, Samarth has found that today’s seniors are not looking for someone else to manage their lives. Instead, they want dependable support that helps them maintain their independence for a longer period.

What Independence After 65 Really Means

Based on years of working closely with older adults and their families, Samarth believes independence rests on four essential freedoms:

Freedom from Everyday Hassles

Handling paperwork, bills, repairs, appointments, and household coordination can become more demanding with age. Reliable local support gives seniors more time and freedom to focus on activities they enjoy.

Freedom from Health Anxiety

Preventive healthcare coordination, well-organised medical records, and preparation for emergencies provide older adults with greater confidence to continue living independently.

Freedom from Social Isolation

Staying socially active, maintaining meaningful relationships, and having opportunities to connect with peers can make an important contribution to emotional wellbeing and healthy ageing.

Freedom from Burdening Family

Many seniors appreciate knowing that they can manage everyday life without depending on their children for every practical task. At the same time, families feel reassured knowing that trusted support is available whenever it may be required.

Supporting Independence, Not Replacing Families

Professional life management assistance is not designed to replace family support; instead, it extends the family’s support system. By bringing together 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 lives while also giving their families peace of mind.

About Samarth Life

Founded in 2016, Samarth supports older adults in ageing 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 works with thousands of families across India to help seniors live safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.