Need of a standalone hospital for elders
In a region where the elderly are respected as the moral and cultural bedrock of our families, it is time we ask a hard question: What tangible tribute have we given them? We build parks in their names, celebrate their birthdays with garlands and poetry, but when it comes to systems that truly support their health and dignity—we are glaringly behind.
One powerful gesture of collective gratitude, and an urgently needed reform, would be the establishment of a dedicated Elders’ Hospital in Jammu & Kashmir—just like we have children’s hospitals designed specifically for pediatric care. This wouldn’t be a symbolic wing inside a larger facility, but a full-fledged hospital tailored to the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of those above 65.
Why an Elders’ Hospital?
The population of senior citizens (60+) in Jammu & Kashmir is steadily rising. As of the 2021 Census projections, over 7.5 lakh elderly individuals live in the region. By 2040, this number is expected to double as life expectancy increases. Nationally, India will have 319 million elderly people by 2050, constituting nearly 20% of the population. This silver wave demands proactive policy and infrastructure.
Many elderly suffer from multiple chronic conditions—hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, cognitive disorders like dementia, and emotional conditions like loneliness and depression. Yet, they are often lost in the crowd of overburdened general hospitals. A specialized Elders’ Hospital would offer geriatric medicine and counseling, memory care units for dementia and alzheimer’s, orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary rehabilitation, palliative care for terminally ill patients, psychological support for grief, anxiety, and isolation, daycare and community rooms for elderly without family support, and faith-sensitive wellness services (e.g., prayer rooms, Unani/Ayurveda support).
But beyond the clinical, such a hospital would be a space of dignity. A place where elders are greeted with warmth, not impatience. Where their stories matter. Where the final chapters of their lives are not marked by silent suffering, but supported healing.
Better Care In Later Years
We often romanticize youth as the exclusive domain of love and companionship. But love is not the sole property of the young. In later years, love becomes quieter but deeper—rooted in shared silences, in the need for presence, in the comfort of being understood. Many elders, especially widows and widowers, live in dignified silence, yearning for connection but boxed in by social stigma.
Islam, in its wisdom and mercy, permits and even encourages remarriage after loss. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself married widows, and companions found love and companionship after losing their spouses. Yet, our society imposes an unnatural silence upon such possibilities. Widow remarriage is frowned upon, and elderly men seeking companionship are told to “focus on grandchildren.” Dignity is falsely equated with loneliness.
An Elders’ Hospital could also be a space for reimagining elderhood—with opportunities for social interaction, counseling, and building new friendships. Let our respect not be measured by how quietly they endure, but by how joyfully they continue to live.
Policy Recommendations
To transform this vision into reality, concrete steps are needed. The proposed hospital can be aligned with the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), which funds geriatric wings in district hospitals. J&K can lead by establishing the first model standalone geriatric hospital in North India. Government can formulate a policy that includes health, housing, elder rights, palliative care, mobility assistance, and emotional wellness. Encourage medical colleges in Kashmir to introduce geriatric specializations and reward students pursuing elder care. Government can encourage public-private partnerships, including support from religious institutions, NGOs, and philanthropists for construction, equipment, and community-based services.
Beyond government, civil society must treat elder care as a moral and civic duty. Youth groups, educators, and religious scholars must actively advocate for elder wellness—not only through sermons but by volunteering, hosting awareness drives, and destigmatizing elderly remarriage and companionship.
Closing Thoughts
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “He is not of us who does not show mercy to our young and respect to our elders.” Today, showing that respect means more than words. It means building systems. It means giving back. Just as a Children’s Hospital nurtures the future, an Elders’ Hospital would honour the past—and dignify the present. Let us make this hospital not only a sanctuary of health but a symbol of compassion. Let it stand as Kashmir’s tribute to its silent heroes—the ones who walked before us, so we could walk freely. And let it be named in memory of Dr. Ali Mohammad Jan (Dr. Ali Jan). Because he is often quoted by older generations in Kashmir as an example of a “true doctor”—combining skill with sincerity.
Author is a teacher and Researcher Based in Gowhar Pora Chadoora
