@ Vikas Sharma | Sr Journalist
New Delhi: A recent survey commissioned by Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), the health insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), a significant non-bank financial services’ conglomerate, reveals that increasing geographical distance between parents and children is adding to health related concerns in Indian families.
The survey, which was conducted across 10 cities (METRO & Tier I), further deep dived, into relationships, communication and emotional anxiety amongst several family generations living in separate locations. Despite modern technology that enables unprecedented levels of inter-generational connectivity, Indian children continue to feel anxious about their parent’s health while living away from them.
Almost 86% Indian children feel concerned towards their parents well-being and 60% of children shared that their parents do not take much effort to keep themselves fit. As opposed to the findings from children respondents, 59% of parents said that they walk regularly to keep themselves fit, 30% are involved in doing household chores and 18%practiced yoga or workout.
Commenting on this survey, Mr Mayank Bathwal, CEO, ABHICL said, “These days many youngsters leave their parental homes, to build a career and for their growing professional aspirations. However, there is a constant sense of concern towards parent’s health and wellbeing. The Indian Parental Care Survey provides a unique insight on the rising concern of parental health and wellbeing among children living away. As a caregiver to my parents, I understand how big a priority this is and being able to provision for their needs”.
Although the study brings forward differing views of parents and children on health wellbeing, 54% of Indian parents still miss their children while going for a routine health check-up. Merely 33% Indian parents go for routine health check-up once every six months.
On asking, how the children are dealing with their concerns? 65% children living away said that they would first turn to friends and neighbors in a medical emergency. 11% children said that they would reach to their parents as early as possible. Whereas, more than 50% parents admit that their children may not necessarily be able to attend to them personally.
Interestingly, when it comes to financial considerations – while, 71% children expressed the intention to make provisions for their parents’ medical contingencies, only 28% are prepared to purchase senior citizen health insurance cover for them. According to the research 47% of the respondents have done financial planning for their parents’ medical emergencies and necessities. The most common form being cash left behind for emergencies and a debit card for use in such situations.
Aditya Birla Health Insurance’s ‘Indian Parental Care Survey’ conducted among 2000 people, featuring Parents (998 respondents) – Men and women in the two age categories of 60-65 years & 66-70 years with at least one offspring/children living away. And Off-springs (Adults) (1002 respondents) – Earning men and women in age group of 30-36 years & 37-45 years with at least one surviving parent and living far away.
The survey brought to fore the needs that has emerged from changing lifestyle, modern parent – children relationship and the gap that exists in parental care and the support children require to meet their concerns.
