<p>In Indian society, ‘filial piety’ or ‘seva’ is the norm, where younger family members, especially sons and grandchildren, care for older parents. In the past, older individuals were highly esteemed and were key to family decision-making, and they received social security support from the younger generation. Decreasing fertility and increasing adult migration have reduced the number of young generations to older adult care, especially in rural areas. The economic status of older parents and household dynamics influence living arrangements, which were independently explored in previous studies. Using micro-level survey data, this study describes household and economic dynamics and explores the perceptions of older parents who live alone or only with their spouses, aiming to identify the most suitable theoretical model(s) for understanding intergenerational relations in contemporary India. The study reveals that 28% of households were one-generation, 28% were two-generation, and 44% had three or more generations. About 29% of older parents lived alone or with only their spouse, whereas 37% of parents of migrants lived alone or with only their spouse. Furthermore, parents with migrant sons were more likely to live alone or only with their spouses. Parents who own farmland were less likely to live alone or only with their spouses. Economic stability and property ownership enable multiple generations to live alongside each other. Older parents prioritize their children’s well-being over personal comfort, often due to concerns about financial constraints, altruism, and family ties. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers and social service providers to create tailored initiatives for older individuals with diverse needs and preferences.</p>