Introduction to Ayushman Bharat Scheme: 

- Launched as a flagship scheme by the Government of India, Ayushman Bharat aims for Universal Health Coverage.

- The scheme involves two components: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) for primary health care and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for secondary and tertiary healthcare.

- The scheme is implemented at both national and state levels, covering approximately 55 crore beneficiaries. 

Recent Trends: 

- Nearly 57.5 lakh out of the total approved hospital admissions are senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

- States with the highest elderly admission rates include Maharashtra and Kerala.

- While admissions for senior citizens are lower in Tamil Nadu, the cost of treatment there remains high.

Concerns Raised by Recent Data: 

- With an ageing population expected to hit 19.5% by 2050, the financial burden on Ayushman Bharat is steadily increasing.

- Despite an ongoing plan to include all senior citizens over 70 years old, funding for the expansion seems bleak due to the minor increase in budget allocation.

- The need to provide comprehensive coverage to all senior citizens amidst rising healthcare costs is a major focus for policy makers.

Implications and Expert Points of View: 

- Elderly individuals' predilection for healthcare increases the cost of the policy.

- As per experts, the cost for covering the ageing demographic may exceed the expenditure for covering the poorest 40% across all age groups.

Other Elderly Healthcare Initiatives in India: 

- The government of India has launched several other initiatives such as Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine Initiative, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, SACRED Portal for Elderly, and helplines for elderly individuals.

The Way Forward: 

- Targeted interventions including specialised packages to deal with common geriatric conditions are needed to optimise resources.

- The Ayushman Bharat budget allocation needs to be increased, particularly for geriatric care to ensure financial sustainability.

- Preventive healthcare measures for chronic conditions and community health programs promoting regular check-ups and early detection need to be emphasised.

- Leveraging public-private partnerships to share the financial burden can also be a viable solution. 

This comprehensive overview covers the crucial aspects of the impact of the Ayushman Bharat scheme on senior citizens and suggests potential reforms to counteract the challenges faced due to increasing healthcare costs for the elderly.