Senior Citizens in Nepal: Policy Gaps and Recommendations

Abstract

Limited research has been conducted on the views of senior citizens in Nepal with regards to contemporary challenges and aging issues. To better understand their existing problems, it is important to talk to and survey senior citizens and reflect on their experiences and insights. The Senior Citizens Acts, 2063 in Nepal defines senior citizens as individuals who have reached the age of 60 years or above. With an increase in life expectancy rates, the senior citizen population in Nepal is on the rise. However, despite the guarantees of rights outlined in the policy, little attention has been paid to the needs of the elderly population. This knowledge can help inform policies and programs that improve their quality of life and well-being. Therefore, this study aims to collect the lived experiences of older generations across Nepal, including information about the society, culture, and hardships they faced. The research aims to contribute to existing literature on the experiences of the elderly and inform policies related to senior citizens. A mixed-methods approach was used for this study, incorporating both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was collected through an informal survey posted on Facebook targeting senior citizens in Nepal which generated 100 responses from senior citizens aged 65 years or older within a 2-week period.