Indian parents and children have varied views on health and well-being

Pune: 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 the 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.