Role of Non-Resident Nepalis Crucial in Ensuring Dignified Aging in Nepal

Kathmandu / May 16: Experts have emphasized that the government, private sector, and civil society must work collaboratively to improve the quality of life of senior citizens and ensure dignified aging in Nepal, amid rapid youth migration abroad and declining population growth.

The remarks were made during a webinar titled “Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of the Diaspora in Creating Dignified Aging in Nepal,” organized on Saturday by the UK chapter of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) UK and Pustantaran Nepal, an organization working in the field of elderly care in Nepal.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Hemraj Sharma, Chairperson of the Non-Resident Nepali Association International Coordination Council (NRNA ICC), underscored the need for collaboration to ensure dignified aging in Nepal. He noted that aging is becoming an increasingly important issue due to current demographic trends and youth migration, adding that NRNA ICC will institutionally prioritize the issue through its knowledge-sharing initiatives and work actively in this area.

Ramsharan Simkhada, Vice President of NRNA ICC, thanked NRNA NCC UK for bringing attention to an issue that has largely remained neglected. He expressed commitment to elevating discussions on aging to broader platforms and affirmed that Non-Resident Nepalis remain dedicated to promoting dignified aging in Nepal.

Rajendra Pudasaini, President of NRNA UK, stated that the organization is committed to supporting dignified aging in Nepal and will continue to collaborate on related initiatives. He said Nepalis living in the UK and across the world could become role models by helping change negative perceptions surrounding elderly care centers and contributing to the creation of better support systems for senior citizens in Nepal. He added that NRNA UK, which has long engaged in philanthropic activities for Nepal and Nepalis, remains committed to supporting older persons.

Speaking at the webinar, Pratibedan Baidya, Chairperson of Pustantaran Nepal, noted that senior citizens currently account for more than 10 percent of Nepal’s total population, and aging management is likely to become increasingly challenging as population growth continues to decline.

“Due to negative perceptions surrounding aging management, many senior citizens hesitate to seek services from care centers. At the same time, the absence of younger family members at home and inadequate elderly-friendly infrastructure mean that many older people continue to suffer despite having financial resources,” Baidya said, citing interactions with senior citizens and their family members during health and psychosocial counseling camps organized by Pustantaran Nepal.

He added that Pustantaran Nepal has been working to raise awareness and provide essential services to create a more dignified environment for older persons in Nepal. Baidya also called on Non-Resident Nepalis to help adapt global best practices in elderly care to Nepal’s context.

Dr. Bindu Pandey, a physician specializing in elderly care, said many senior citizens now visit hospitals alone due to the absence of family members at home, increasing their anxiety and highlighting the need for psychosocial counseling alongside medical treatment. She stressed the importance of creating platforms where senior citizens can interact and promote healthy lifestyles.

“As aging often brings multiple health complications, special attention should be given during health screenings and medication prescriptions for senior citizens. In several health camps, we found that elderly participants were using more medications than necessary,” she added.

Wellness coach Sharda Gyawali, who has long provided training on healthy diets and lifestyles nationally and internationally, said traditional Nepali food is highly beneficial. She suggested that tailoring Nepali diets to the nutritional needs of senior citizens could offer significant health benefits compared to foreign food alternatives. She also emphasized the need to promote awareness about the importance of spices commonly used in Nepali cuisine.

Dr. Jagadish Kshetri, President of the Nepal Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics and Director of the Nepal Geriatrics Center, criticized the new government’s decision to remove the ministry responsible for senior citizens, stating that such a ministry should be retained. Referring to China’s retirement security provisions under social protection systems, he suggested Nepal should establish a similar retirement security fund. He also pointed out the lack of comprehensive data on senior citizens in Nepal and proposed that NRNA could support related surveys and research.

Participants in the program, facilitated by journalist Bhagirath Yogi, emphasized that ensuring the well-being of senior citizens requires coordinated efforts among the government, private sector, and civil society, with Non-Resident Nepalis playing an important role in advancing dignified aging in Nepal.