Formative Research to Inform Community-Based Healthy Ageing Interventions in Rural India: Findings from the ELITE (Enhancing Living Experiences of the Elderly) Project

The study examined the needs and priorities of older people in rural Maharashtra, India through ten focus group discussions with 235 seniors and 56 interviews with 58 healthcare workers. The research identified six main themes: intersecting health and social vulnerabilities, fragile family support, focus primarily on non-communicable diseases, uneven access to care, insufficiently trained healthcare workers, and the value of shared community spaces. Older people prioritized mobility, medicines, nutrition, emotional support, dignity, and social participation. Familiar local venues and times between 2 and 4 pm were identified as suitable for programme delivery. The research supports multidimensional community interventions integrated with primary healthcare, strengthened referral systems, and training of healthcare workers.