Health & Happiness

Drawing on an expansive nationally representative sample of 28308 Indian adults aged 60+ from LASI (2017-18) this essential study delivers clear evidence-based insights into what truly fosters life satisfaction in India's rapidly aging population. It confirms that better self-rated physical health greater functional independence and freedom from depressive symptoms are all strongly linked to higher life satisfaction-even after accounting for age gender education caste wealth and living arrangements. It also reveals that co-residence with spouse and children higher socioeconomic status and education over 10 years significantly boost well-being while mental health challenges ADL/IADL limitations and socioeconomic inequalities persist as barriers. Notably satisfaction increases among the oldest-old (75+) yet remains shaped by social integration and economic privilege. By weaving together physical mental functional social and economic dimensions this book offers a powerful roadmap for policymakers health professionals and caregivers urging holistic interventions and continued longitudinal research to foster happier healthier aging in India.