Older adults frequently encounter significant difficulties, including physical weakness, isolation, and the grief that accompanies the loss of partners or jobs. Even after coming to terms with these changes, the emotional impact can persist, resulting in feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. It’s essential to acknowledge their challenges and offer support, promoting connection and empathy. By addressing both their emotional and physical needs, we can help them navigate this challenging stage of life with dignity and compassion.

So, I would like to address them as elderly.

Elderly play a vital role in our communities, and it's crucial for everyone—young adults, middle-aged individuals, and seniors themselves—to understand how to enhance their quality of life. By adopting healthy habits and staying engaged, they can reduce the burden on themselves and others. Fostering a sense of purpose and connection not only improves their well-being but also enriches the lives of those around them.

वृद्धानां अनुभवज्ञानं मार्गदर्शनं च दुर्लभम्। (Sushruta Samhita)

"The experience and knowledge of the elderly provide rare and valuable guidance."

According to Ayurveda, ageing is a natural process. As we age, the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, and psychological issues like depression, along with other related ailments, tends to rise. Ayurveda plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of life as one advances in age.

वायसोऽर्धं जरारोगैरधिष्ठितम्। (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 1)

Translation: "The latter half of life is more prone to afflictions brought by aging."

Ayurveda emphasizes the practice of Dinacharya (daily regimen) as a fundamental approach to maintaining health, promoting longevity, and preventing diseases. This holistic system advocates for aligning one’s lifestyle with the natural rhythms of the day, fostering harmony between the body, mind, and environment. By following a balanced routine, the body’s physiological processes are optimized, enhancing immunity and overall well-being. Dinacharya not only helps in preventing the onset of chronic ailments but also nurtures mental clarity and emotional stability. This time-tested modality is a key pillar in Ayurveda for achieving sustainable health and vitality across all stages of life.

The daily regime not only nurtures physical health but also plays a crucial role in maintaining mental and emotional well-being. By adhering to a consistent daily routine, the mind becomes more focused, leading to enhanced clarity and productivity. Emotional stability is achieved as the body's natural rhythms are harmonized, reducing stress, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. Moreover, the spiritual aspect of Dinacharya is equally significant, as it encourages mindfulness, self-awareness, and a deeper connection to the self. Through regular practices that promote balance and tranquillity, individuals can achieve a state of holistic well-being, fostering inner peace and long-term vitality.

So with utmost intention, they should follow a well-structured routine to enhance and maintain their quality of life. By adhering to practices that support physical, emotional, and mental well-being, they can improve mobility, boost immunity, and foster mental clarity. A daily regimen helps them stay active and independent, encouraging self-reliance and emotional resilience. Consistent routines promote stability, empowering elderly individuals to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Here's a list of activities which are included in dinacharya for geriatric population:

1. Waking up early – Encouraged but based on individual capacity and comfort.
2. Mild elimination practices – Supporting regular bowel movements with herbs or mild laxatives
3. Gentle tongue scraping – Maintaining oral hygiene without straining
4. Oil pulling (Gandusha) – Using mild oils to support oral health
5. Gentle oil massage (Abhyanga) – Using warming, nourishing oils (like sesame) for joint flexibility and circulation
6. Nasal oil drops (Nasya) – Administering mild medicated oil to prevent dryness and enhance respiratory health
7. Eye care (Anjana) – Using gentle eye drops or medicinal collyrium for eye health
8. Light physical activity (Vyayama) – Gentle yoga or walking to maintain mobility
9. Mild breathing exercises (Pranayama) – Slow, deep breaths for lung capacity and relaxation
10. Meditation – Fostering mental clarity, focus, and emotional balance
11. Warm baths (Snana) – Using warm water and herbal infusions to relax muscles and soothe the skin
12. Balanced, easily digestible meals – Following a light, nutritious diet for optimal digestion
13. Adequate hydration – Ensuring proper intake of warm fluids like herbal tea
14. Restorative sleep (Nidra) – Prioritizing rest and good sleep hygiene

So, through a series of daily practices of this routine keeping them as a priority helps the elderly lead a good quality of life. In fact, in a survey study it showed that 72 % of subjects had poor to average score with respect to the EQ 5D scale in India. And the EQ-5D scale is an instrument which evaluates the generic quality of life.

Elderly should follow a regular daily routine to improve and maintain their quality of life. By sticking to simple habits that support their body and mind, they can stay physically active, strengthen their immune system, and keep their minds sharp.

The study shows that 46% of the participants consumed milk daily, which may explain why only 15% had severe mobility issues. According to Ayurveda, cow’s milk and ghee are excellent for rejuvenation, as they help balance Vata, which increases with age and causes tissue depletion. Milk and ghee support tissue formation and overall nourishment. Milk is also a complete food, rich in calcium and other micronutrients like phosphorus, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid, all of which help prevent early aging.

Elderly take naps during the day, which might explain the high rate of pain and discomfort at 19%. Sleeping during the day can increase Kapha, which may block the body's energy channels. When these channels are blocked, it can lead to poor nourishment of the body tissues. This lack of nourishment can contribute to early aging.

In old age, the body tends to have more Vata energy. Waking up at night can increase this Vata, which can weaken the body's strength and vitality. So, they must adapt a routine of timely sleep.

Regular massage is very beneficial for older adults as it calms the body and nourishes tissues. This could explain why they reported sleeping well at night. Additionally, it may be why many experienced little to no pain despite their age.

Overall, it has been noticed that people who follow a daily routine—including exercise, oil massages, and good sleep habits—tend to have a better quality of life. These are simple and affordable practices that anyone can adopt to promote their health and improve their well-being, especially in a country like India.

Thus, in an insight extensive adaptation of daily regimen as mentioned in Ayurveda is needed to reduce the health care burden caused due to geriatric dependency.

.    .    .