Abstract The global demographic landscape is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, often described as the "greying of nations." As fertility rates decline and medical advancements extend life expectancy, the proportion of elderly individuals is rising faster than any other age group. In India, this demographic shift is particularly pronounced. Projections from the United Nations and the Census of India suggest that the elderly population (aged 60 and above) will nearly double by 2050, reaching approximately 20% of the total population. While this reflects a triumph of public health and socio-economic development, it simultaneously presents a formidable challenge to the nation's social, economic, and healthcare infrastructures. In the state of Rajasthan, and specifically within the historic city of Udaipur, these global and national trends manifest through a unique cultural and regional lens. Udaipur, known as the "City of Lakes," serves as a vital urban hub for Southern Rajasthan, blending traditional Rajasthani values with rapid modern urbanization. Historically, the Indian societal fabric was woven around the "Joint Family System," an informal social security net where the elderly held a position of high status, authority, and emotional security. In such systems, the physical, financial, and psychological needs of the senior citizens were inherently met by the younger generations. Furthermore, the elderly in Udaipur face a "Double Burden" of disease. They are increasingly susceptible to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, while still being vulnerable to infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Unlike the younger population, the geriatric group requires specialized, long-term, and often expensive medical care. In a city where a significant portion of the elderly population remains outside the organized workforce—and thus lacks access to formal pensions or insurance—the financial burden of healthcare often falls on their children or leads to untreated illness. The gender dimension also plays a critical role in the background of this study. Due to the "feminization of ageing"—where women tend to live longer than men but with higher rates of morbidity and lower financial autonomy—elderly women in Udaipur are particularly vulnerable. Many are widows with little to no property rights or personal savings, making them entirely dependent on the goodwill of their kinsmen. Therefore, studying the status of senior citizens in Udaipur is not merely a statistical exercise but a socio-ethical necessity. It is imperative to understand how the intersection of ageing, urbanization, and changing family dynamics affects the quality of life of the elderly. This background provides the necessary context to explore the specific health, economic, and psychosocial problems that define the twilight years of the residents of Udaipur
Gadri et al. (Thu,) studied this question.