590 Unmet care needs and health outcomes among migrant elderly in India: evidence from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI)

PTH 5: Exclusion and Discrimination, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 15:15 - 16:09 Aims This study examines the prevalence of unmet care needs among migrant elderly in India and explores how these unmet needs are associated with health outcomes, including self-rated health, mental health, and hospitalization. As migration disrupts traditional caregiving arrangements, understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing inclusive aging policies. Methods Data were drawn from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (2017–18), a nationally representative survey of over 31,000 individuals aged 60 and above. Elderly migrants were identified based on mismatch between current and place-of-origin residence. Unmet care need was defined as having at least one limitation in activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) without receiving adequate assistance. Health outcomes assessed included self-rated health, depressive symptoms (CES-D scale), and hospitalization in the past year.?Descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence, and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to examine associations while adjusting for socio-demographic and economic factors. Results About 23% of migrant elderly reported unmet care needs. Those experiencing unmet needs were significantly more likely to report poor self-rated health (OR = 1.67, p < 0.01), higher levels of depressive symptoms (OR = 1.84, p < 0.01), and increased likelihood of hospitalization (OR = 1.41, p < 0.05). Vulnerability was higher among elderly women, those living alone, individuals from lower-income groups, and those lacking health insurance or social support. Conclusion Unmet care needs are prevalent among migrant elderly and are strongly linked to poorer health outcomes. To ensure healthy aging, public health systems must recognize and respond to the unique care challenges of this population. Targeted interventions such as mobile health services, community-based care, and portable social protection schemes are essential to reduce health inequities among aging migrants in India.