Older Adults In India Research Articles

Improving health outcomes among older adults in India: effectiveness and implementability of a novel comprehensive geriatric assessment based intervention

Background: There is significant evidence on the benefits of comprehensive assessment in older adults. But this evidence is primarily from western countries and in secondary care settings. National policies in India recognize this need and envision community-based screening and facility-based assessment programs integrated into the care pathways for the elderly. However, this is yet to translate into specific interventions, primarily due to lack of complex interventions necessary and evidence of their effectiveness. This study aims to design and pilot an integrated (Community + Facility) Elderly Health Status Assessment and Screening (EHSAS) intervention to improve health outcomes of older adults and assess its feasibility for implementation in Indian rural settings. Methods: We propose a hybrid design where we will build the complex intervention, develop and validate the tools needed, pilot it using an exploratory cluster randomized trial and evaluate its implementatbility using the Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Conclusions: This study will fill critical gaps in evidence regarding the effectiveness of geriatric screening and assessment in community and primary care settings in low-middle income countries and provide validated tools and implementation models for adoption into national programs. Registration: CTRI/2023/07/055661

Effect of loneliness on mental health and cognition: A study on middle‐aged and older adults in India

AbstractObjectivesThe article assesses the impact of loneliness and age on the mental health and cognitive functioning of individuals aged 45 and above in the Indian context. The mediating effect of marital status and age on the way loneliness impacts individuals’ cognition and mental health is examined.MethodsData were obtained from the pilot wave of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, and scores of 1578 participants were considered for analysis. Standardised and validated measures were employed to measure loneliness, mental health and cognition of the participants. Multivariate analysis was employed to investigate the impact of loneliness and age on cognition and mental health. Structural equation modelling was used for evaluating the mediating effect of age and marital status.ResultsLoneliness significantly impacted mental health and global cognitive function, whereas age significantly impacted episodic memory and total cognition. Marital status had a significant mediating role on the impact of loneliness on individuals’ mental health and cognitive functioning.DiscussionFostering social support among lonely individuals might help mitigate loneliness, enhance their mental health status, and slow down cognitive decline.

Epidemiology of cancers among older adults in India: findings from the National Cancer Registry Programme

ObjectiveThis study describes the epidemiology, clinical extent of disease at diagnosis and treatment modalities of cancer among older adults (aged 60 years and older) in India. Study designSecondary data analysis of the National Cancer Registry Programme, which includes 28 Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) and 96 Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs). MethodsPBCR data were used to estimate the incidence in terms of crude rate (CR), age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR), age-specific rate (ASpR) and cumulative risk. Trends in the AAR were calculated with the Annual Percentage Change (APC) using join-point regression. HBCR data were used to describe the clinical extent of the disease at diagnosis and the treatment modalities. ResultsThere is a wide heterogeneity across the country for the incidence of cancer and for the leading cancer sites among older adults. Males had a higher incidence rate compared to females in the majority of the registries. Aizawl had the highest AARs among both genders (males: 1388.8; females: 1033.0). Females had the highest ASpR at 65–69 years (482.8), whereas for males it was above 75 years (710.4). Cervical, stomach and oesophageal cancers were on the decline. The incidence of cancer among older adults was estimated to increase by 13.5% in 2025 as compared to 2020. ConclusionThe increasing cancer incidence among older adults in India poses a huge burden on the health system. There is a need to increase their participation in clinical trials, advocating comprehensive geriatric assessment and strengthening geriatric oncology within programs addressing older adult's care to deal with the rising cancer burden on the health system borne by them.

Risk Factors for Food Insecurity among Older Adults in India: Study Based on LASI, 2017-2018.

Food security is linked to the nutritional status and well-being of older adults. India is a rapidly aging nation that ranks highly on the 2022 Global Hunger Index. This paper examines the prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity in India's older population. We used data from the 2017-2018 Longitudinal Aging Study in India. The sample size was 31,532 adults aged 60 years and above. Food insecurity was measured using a four-item version of the Food Insecurity Experience scale. Multivariable logistic regressions using individual-level weights were implemented to assess the risk factors of food insecurity. The prevalence of food insecurity was 10.5% in the weighted sample. Sociodemographic factors were important in explaining food insecurity. Older adults who were male, younger, lowly educated, socially disadvantaged, in rural areas, and outside the Northern region were most vulnerable to food insecurity, controlling for various confounders. Additionally, low economic status, no occupational pension, currently working, social isolation, physical impairment, functional disabilities, poor self-rated health, and arthritis were associated with an increased risk of food insecurity. More active food assistance programs catering to older adults and a better provision of economic and social security are warranted to establish a food-secure environment for rapidly aging India.

Association between subjective social status and physical frailty in older adults in India: perceived discrimination and III-treatment as mediators and moderators.

While extensive research exists on physical frailty, including in low- and middle-income countries like India, studies have yet to appraise whether perceived social standing is associated with physical frailty. As such, this study examines (1) the association between subjective social status (SSS) and physical frailty among older adults in India; and (2) whether this association is mediated and moderated by perceived discrimination and experiences of III-treatment. Data came from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India with a sample of 31,464 older adults aged 60 and above. Physical frailty was assessed using an adapted version of the frailty phenotype developed by Fried and colleagues. SSS was assessed using the Macarthur scale. Multivariable logistic regression models along with Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) methodology were employed to examine the direct association, mediational pathways, and the interactions. The prevalence of frailty was 30.65% and those with lowest SSS reported higher prevalence of frailty (42.06%). After adjusting for several confounders, odds of frailty were lower among persons with high SSS relative to those with low SSS, and the variance explained by the SSS was higher than that explained by household consumption quintiles. Moreover, the association between SSS and frailty was mediated and moderated by perceived discrimination and III-treatment. Our findings underscore that when examining the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and physical frailty, it is important to consider SSS given that perceived social status likely reflects the less apparent psychosocial components associated with SES, and that perceived discrimination and III-treatment both mediate and moderate the association between SSS and physical frailty is critical to identifying those older Indians most susceptible to the functional health implications of lower SSS.

Non-communicable disease multimorbidity among tribal older adults in India: evidence from Study on Global AGEing and adult health, 2015.

Multimorbidity defined as the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries such as India. With India aiming to achieve universal health coverage, it is imperative to address the inequalities in accessing healthcare, especially among vulnerable groups such as tribal. Moreover, changing lifestyle has led to the emergence of multimorbidity among tribals in India. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and assess the correlates of multimorbidity among tribal older adults in India. We employed nationally representative data from the World Health Organization's Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health conducted in 2015. We included 522 participants aged ≥50 years who reported their caste to be 'Scheduled Tribe' in the survey. A multivariable regression model assessed the association between multimorbidity and various attributes. Arthritis, cataract, and hypertension were the most common chronic conditions. The overall prevalence of multimorbidity was ~22.61%. We observed a higher likelihood of having multimorbidity among respondents aged ≥80 years [AOR: 4.08 (1.17-14.18)] than the younger age groups, and among the most affluent group [AOR: 2.64 (1.06-6.56)] than the most deprived class. The prevalence of multimorbidity among tribal older adults is emerging which cannot be overlooked. Health and wellness centers may be a window of opportunity to provide egalitarian and quality preventive and curative services to achieve universal health coverage. Future studies should explore the outcomes of multimorbidity in terms of healthcare utilization, expenditure, and quality of life in this group.

Gender differences in the association between physical frailty and life satisfaction among older adults in India.

One of the sustainable development goals' (SDGs) primary goals (Goal 3) is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for persons of all ages. While extensive literature documents the link between physical frailty and low life satisfaction (LLS) among older adults, research of this nature is limited within low and middle-income countries including India. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical frailty and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older men and women in India. Data come from the 2017-18 wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), with a sample of 30 390 individuals aged 60 and above (14 559 men and 15 831 women). Physical frailty was assessed using an adapted version of the frailty phenotype developed by Fried and colleagues. Ordered logistic regression models are employed to examine the association between physical frailty and life satisfaction. The prevalence of frailty was higher in older women than men (32.2% vs. 27.5%). Nearly 30.4% of men and 33.8% of women reported having LLS. However, after adjusting for the selected confounders, women were less likely (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.92; CI: 0.87-0.97) to report LLS compared to men. The physically frail older adults were more likely (aOR: 1.40; CI: 1.27-1.55) to report LLS relative to their physically stronger counterparts. Moreover, we found that frail older men had higher odds of reporting LLS than non-frail older men (aOR: 1.25; CI: 1.09-1.43). Also, non-frail older women had lower odds of reporting LLS than non-frail older men (aOR: 0.80; CI: 0.67-0.95). Findings of our study suggest that policies and programs to address later life well-being need to consider gender differences. Doing so would not only help identify older adults most at risk of LLS, but gender differentiated policies would help streamline health expenditures and costs typically relegated to assist all older adults without proper focus on the uniqueness of their social location.

Examining the determinants of health and long-term care for older adults in India through a socio-ecological model - A qualitative assessment.

Ageing is associated with multiple long-term health problems and requires medication management, support with activities of daily living, and attention to psychological needs. This study aimed at exploring the enablers and barriers and psychosocial determinants of long-term care. A qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, was carried out from February to June 2018. One-on-one in-depth interviews were carried out with 28 participants, including care recipients (n = 12), caregivers (n = 12), and primary-care physicians (n = 4) at the Community Health Centre in the state of Jammu and Kashmir of India. Attention from family members, leisure activities, faith in the healthcare provider, and a positive attitude towards life were found to be enablers of long-term care. Resource constraints and alienation from the community were barriers. Incorporating the psychosocial needs of care recipients and problems faced by family caregivers is essential in providing good quality care to individuals with chronic illness. The lack of a targeted, nationwide policy has resulted in considerable variability in long-term care services across the country. There is an urgent need to make long-term care an integral part of the Indian health system utilizing a holistic framework to address the health needs of older adults and implementing it through an equitable community-based comprehensive primary health and community-based model.

Association of dietary sodium intake and hypertension among older adults in India: Insights from (Study on global AGEing and adult health) SAGE wave-2 (2015–16)

IntroductionHypertension is a major evolving issue with high prevalence in low-and middle-income countries and is a risk factor for cardiovascular conditions. In India 21.3% of females and 24% of males have high blood pressure, with one of the key reasons identified as consuming far too much salt. Less than 3.5 g of potassium and more than 2 gm of sodium intake per day can contribute to high blood pressure and an elevated risk of stroke. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and its association with salt intake and sociodemographic variables among an older age population in India. MethodIn the present study we analysed the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health wave-2 dataset. The prevalence of hypertension was estimated using the weighted prevalence, and risk factors were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, obtaining adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of study participants was 62.67 (8.89). The overall prevalence of hypertension was around 41.1%. Participants aged 70–79 years [AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.44–2.09], Females [AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24–1.72], richest [AOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.15–1.76], and consuming far too little salt [AOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.22–2.39] were significant determinants of hypertension. ConclusionOut of every 10 elderly adults in India, four are suffering from hypertension. More intervention strategies should be incorporated into the existing healthcare program considering factors like older age group, females and wealthiest individuals. Gender sensitivity must be extensively incorporated into the existing programme.

Review of Care for Older Adults in India: Living Arrangements and Quality of Life

Review of Care for Older Adults in India: Living Arrangements and Quality of Life

Association of obesity and bone disease among older adults in India: Role of modifiable risk factors

Background/objectivesObesity and bone diseases have increased substantially worldwide in the last three decades, particularly among older adults. This study assesses the association between obesity and bone disease among older adults in India. MethodsThe data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) was considered for analysis. A total of 65,173 individuals above the age of 45 years were analyzed. The descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression and mediation analysis are done to analyse the determinants of obesity and bone diseases. ResultsSixteen percent of the older adults in India had bone diseases. Females (OR = 1.453, 95%CI = 1.254,1.684) with obesity (OR = 1.571, 95%CI = 1.344,1.837), those aged more than 70 years (OR = 1.834, 95% CI = 1.540,2.184), not in union, from SC category, from rural areas, consumed tobacco (OR = 1.269, 95%CI = 1.209, 1.331) and alcohol (OR = 0.902, 95%CI = 0.867, 0.950), and with no physical activity (OR = 1.228, 95%CI = 1.087, 1.387) in daily life had higher risks of bone diseases. The results of the mediation analysis showed the relationship between bone disease and overweight/obesity was significantly mediated by the three modifiable risk factors: alcohol intake, smoking, and physical activity. ConclusionThe association between obesity and bone disease was found to be statistically significant in this study. Women, not-in-union, the older, and those without any education, those have lack of health awareness are more likely to develop bone-related issues in their later life. Research investigating the relationship between obesity and bone health has the potential to identify novel targets for the treatment of bone-related illnesses, such as osteoporosis, fractures, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Uncovering the hidden epidemic: Prevalence and predictors of undiagnosed hypertension among older adults in India

ABSTRACT Among all noncommunicable diseases, hypertension is the leading cause of death and also a major threat globally. Low-and middle-income countries such as India have higher rates of undiagnosed hypertension since majority of the hypertensive individuals are asymptomatic. This study aimed to estimate the burden of undiagnosed hypertension and its association with various factors using the SAGE Wave-2 dataset. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used and present as an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 1516 (21.3% [95% CI: 20.4–22.3]) were found to have undiagnosed hypertension and higher predilection among urban females and increases with age. Regular screening is crucial to identify individuals with hypertension who remain undiagnosed, particularly as they get older.

Improving the support for older adults in India: A multi-faceted approach for a better future

Improving the support for older adults in India: A multi-faceted approach for a better future

Prevalence and factors associated with undiagnosed and uncontrolled heart disease: A study based on self-reported chronic heart disease and symptom-based angina pectoris among middle-aged and older Indian adults.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of heart diseases and angina pectoris and associated factors among middle-aged and older Indian adults. Additionally, the study examined the prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed and uncontrolled heart disease among middle-aged and older adults based on self-reported chronic heart disease (CHD) and symptom-based angina pectoris (AP). We used cross-sectional data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India, 2017-18. The sample consists of 59,854 individuals (27, 769 males and 32,085 females) aged 45 years and above. Maximum likelihood binary logistic regression models were employed to examine the associations between morbidities, other covariates (demographic factors, socio-economic factors and behavioral factors) and heart disease and angina. A proportion of 4.16% older males and 3.55% older females reported the diagnosis of heart diseases. A proportion of 4.69% older males and 7.02% older females had symptom-based angina. The odds of having heart disease were higher among those who were hypertensive and who had family history of heart disease, and it was higher among those whose cholesterol levels were higher. Individuals with hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and family history of heart disease were more likely to have angina than their healthy counterparts. The odds of undiagnosed heart disease were lower but the odds of uncontrolled heart disease were higher among those who were hypertensive than non-hypertensive individuals. Those having diabetes were less likely to have undiagnosed heart disease while among the diabetic people the odds of uncontrolled heart disease were higher. Similarly, higher odds were observed among people with high cholesterol, having stroke and also among those who had a history of heart disease than their counterparts. The present study provided a comparative prevalence of heart disease and agina and their associations with chronic diseases among middle-aged and older adults in India. The higher prevalence of undiagnosed and uncontrolled heart disease and their risk factors among middle-aged and older Indians manisfest alarming public health concerns and future health demand.

The impact of diabetes on sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults in India: key findings from the longitudinal ageing study in India (LASI)

BackgroundDiabetes has become a major public health issue in India, and understanding its impact on skeletal muscle health is crucial for addressing the elevated risk of sarcopenia among individuals with diabetes. While the association between diabetes and sarcopenia has been extensively studied worldwide, there is a notable lack of research focusing on this relationship within the Indian community-dwelling geriatric population. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the influence of diabetes on sarcopenia among older adults living in community settings in India. MethodologyThe study used data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), Wave 1 (2017–18). It was focused on older adults aged 60 years and above living in community settings in India, including both males and females. This study followed the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (2019) guidelines, utilizing a screening tool that assessed sarcopenia through muscle (handgrip) strength, physical performance, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM). The presence of diabetes was determined through a self-reported approach, where participants disclosed their diabetes diagnosis as provided by healthcare professionals. To examine the association between diabetes and sarcopenia, the study utilized logistic regression analysis to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultsPresent study included 27,241 individuals, with sarcopenia prevalent in 27.0% of participants. 3.4% had both sarcopenia and diabetes, 23.5% had sarcopenia only, 11.7% had diabetes only, and 61.3% had neither. After adjusting for confounding variables, participants with diabetes had a significantly higher odds ratio of 1.14 (95% CI 1.06–1.26, p < 0.001) for sarcopenia. ConclusionsThe study established that diabetes is a risk factor for sarcopenia in older adults living in India. Early identification and management are essential to mitigate sarcopenia, emphasizing the importance of addressing both conditions in healthcare.

Gender differentials in the choice of in-patient healthcare services among the older adults in India: A cross-sectional study.

India is presently undergoing a rapid demographic transition and experiencing a gradual increase in an ageing population. As a result, the households were continuously exposed to catastrophic economic impacts, ultimately influencing the healthcare utilisation of older people. The study examined the gender differentials in the choice of in-patient private and public hospitalisation among Indian elderly using Andersen's Health Behaviour Model. The database was acquired from the nationally representative cross-sectional survey (NSSO, 2017-18). Bivariate chi-square and binomial logistic regression techniques were used to fulfill the objective. In addition, the poor-rich ratio and concentration index was used to understand the inherent socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare preferences. The findings suggest that aged men were 27 percent more prone to avail private healthcare facilities than aged women. Further, older adults, who are married, belong to the upper caste, have higher education and gone through surgery, and primarily reside in an affluent society were more likely to prefer private in-patient hospitalisation. It represents negligence of older women in access to better healthcare who had financial strain and economically dependent. The study can be used to reframe existing public health policies and programs, particularly focusing on the older women, to avail cost-effective treatment.

Associations between intrinsic capacity, functional difficulty, and fall outcomes among older adults in India

The construct of intrinsic capacity (IC) in the context of integrated care for older adults emphasizes functional assessment from a holistic perspective. It provides reliable and comparable insights on subsequent functioning and disability. Given the paucity of research on IC and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the present study examined the association of IC with geriatric conditions of functional limitations and multiple fall outcomes among older adults in India. The data used for analysis come from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), 2017–2018. The final sample size contains 24,136 older adults (11,871 males and 12,265 females) age 60 years or above. Multivariable binary logistic regression is employed to examine the association of IC and other explanatory factors with outcome variables of difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), falls, fall injury, and multiple falls. Of the total sample, 24.56% of older adults were observed to be in the high IC category. The prevalence of ADL difficulty, IADL difficulty, falls, multiple falls and fall-related injury is estimated to be 19.89%, 45.00%, 12.36%, 5.49% and 5.57%, respectively. Older adults who reported high IC had a significantly lower prevalence of ADL difficulty (12.26% vs 22.38%) and IADL difficulty (31.13% vs 49.52%) than those who reported low IC. Similarly, a lower prevalence of falls (9.42% vs 13.34%), fall-related injury (4.10% vs 6.06%) and multiple falls (3.46% vs 6.16%) were reported among those who had high IC. After adjusting for a large number of confounders such as age, sex, health-related attributes and lifestyle behaviors, older adults with high IC had significantly lower odds of ADL difficulty [aOR: 0.63, CI: 0.52–0.76], IADL difficulty [aOR: 0.71, CI: 0.60–0.83], falls [aOR: 0.80, CI: 0.67–0.96], multiple falls [aOR: 0.73, CI: 0.58–0.96] and fall-related injury [aOR: 0.78, CI: 0.61–0.99]. That a high IC was independently associated with a lower risk of functional difficulty and fall outcomes in later life is of enormous value in predicting subsequent functional care needs. More specifically, the findings here imply that because regular IC monitoring can predict poor health outcomes in older adults, improvements in IC should be prioritized while formulating disability and fall prevention strategies.

An assessment of self-rated life satisfaction and its correlates with physical, mental and social health status among older adults in India

Life satisfaction refers to the assessment of one’s own life in terms of self-perceived favourable qualities. It is an integral part of healthy and successful course of ageing. It is widely associated with the health status and social well-being. The present study attempted to determine the constructing factors of self-rated life satisfaction, such as socio-demographic, physical, social, and mental well-being of older adults. We analysed information from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-1), the initial phase conducted during 2017–18 for the population of older adults in India. We applied descriptive statistics for prevalence assessment and association was checked using chi-square test. Further, to determine the adjusted outcome of predictor covariates on the likelihood of an individual being satisfied from life estimated by applying hierarchical multiple logistic regression models. Several noteworthy affirmations on the relationship between the socio-demographic variables and health risk behaviours with life satisfaction were observed. The results were consistent with studies showing change in life satisfaction subject to the state of physical and mental health, presence of chronic diseases, friends and family relations, dependency, and events of trauma or abuse. While comparing respondents, we found varying degrees of life satisfaction by gender, education, marital status, expenditure and other socio-economic features. We also found that besides physical and mental health, social support and well-being play a pivotal role in achieving higher life satisfaction among older adults. Overall, this work contributes to the study of the subjective well-being of older adults in India based on self-reported levels of life satisfaction and further narrows the gap in knowledge about associated behaviour. Hence, with on-going ageing scenario, there is need for multi-sectorial policy-oriented approaches at individual, family, and community level, which helps to take care of older-adults’ physical, social, and mental health for the betterment of healthy ageing.

Examining the Association of Pain and Pain Frequency With Self-Reported Difficulty in Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings From the Longitudinal Aging Study in India.

We examined the prevalence and associations of self-reported difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with pain among community-dwelling older adults in India. We also explored the interaction effects of age and sex in these associations. We used the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 data (2017-2018). Our unweighted sample included 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Outcome measures were having difficulty in at least 1 ADL/IADL. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine the association of pain with functional difficulties controlling for selected variables. A total of 23.8% of older adults reported ADL and 48.4% reported IADL difficulty. Among older adults who reported pain, 33.1% reported difficulty in ADL and 57.1% reported difficulty in IADL. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for ADL was 1.83 (confidence interval [CI]: 1.70-1.96) and for IADL was 1.43 (CI: 1.35-1.51) when respondents reported pain compared with those without pain. Older adults who reported frequent pain had 2.28 and 1.67 times higher odds of ADL (aOR: 2.28; CI: 2.07-2.50) and IADL difficulty (aOR: 1.67; CI: 1.53-1.82) compared with those with no pain. Additionally, age and sex of the respondents significantly moderated the associations of pain and difficulty in ADL and IADL. Given the higher prevalence and likelihood of functional difficulties among older Indian adults who experienced frequent pain, interventions to mitigate pain in this vulnerable population are needed to ensure active and healthy aging.

Prevalence and predictors of vision impairment among older adults in India: evidence from LASI, 2017–18

BackgroundOlder adults experience a natural decline in health, physical and cognitive functionality, and vision impairment (VI) is one among them and has become an increasing health concern worldwide. The present study assessed the association of chronic morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart diseases and various socioeconomic factors with VI among older Indian adults.MethodsData for this study were derived from the nationally-representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), wave-1 (2017–18). VI was assessed using the cut-off of visual acuity worse than 20/80, and additional analysis was carried out using the definition of VI with a cut-off of visual acuity worse than 20/63. Descriptive statistics along with cross-tabulation were presented in the study. Proportion test was used to evaluate the significance level for sex differentials in VI among older adults. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with VI among older adults.ResultsAbout 33.8% of males and 40% of females suffered from VI in India (visual acuity worse than 20/80). Meghalaya (59.5%) had the highest prevalence for VI among older males followed by Arunachal Pradesh (58.4%) and Tripura (45.2%). Additionally, Arunachal Pradesh (77.4%) had the highest prevalence for VI among females followed by Meghalaya (68.8%) and Delhi (56.1%). Among the health factors, stroke [AOR: 1.20; CI: 1.03–1.53] and hypertension [AOR: 1.12; CI: 1.01–1.22] were the significant risk factors for VI among older adults. Additionally, being oldest old [AOR: 1.58; CI: 1.32–1.89] and divorced/separated/deserted/others [AOR: 1.42; CI: 1.08–1.87] were significantly associated with VI. Moreover, older adults with higher educational status [AOR: 0.42; CI: 0.34, 0.52], currently working [AOR: 0.77; CI: 0.67, 0.88], from urban areas [AOR: 0.86; CI: 0.76–0.98] and from western region [AOR: 0.55; CI: 0.48–0.64] had lower odds of VI in this study.ConclusionThis study identified higher rates of VI among those who are diagnosed with hypertension or stroke, currently unmarried, socioeconomically poorer, less educated and urban resident older people that can inform strategies to engage high risk groups. The findings also suggest that specific interventions that promote active aging are required for those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged as well as visually impaired.