More people are now given the chance to live longer than in the past and old age is now being experienced by an ever-increasing number of people. As more and more people become aged, concern shifts from medically prolonging life to ensuring that a prolonged life is worth living. The rapid growth of the elderly population, the wide diversity in their profiles and the varied inter-related influences need significant consideration of researchers, policy planners and service providers so as to provide them the best possible environment to interact based on their need. This paper is based on the idea that there are significant needs of the elderly people for daily sustenance and it is a challenge to provide congenial environment to them. Understanding the needs and aspirations of an ageing population is a complex business, and yet one that is fundamental. It is essential to integrate the evolving process of global ageing within the larger process of development by responding to their need. This discussion paper attempts to review various facets of needs of an ageing population and their implications for multi-directional research. The discussion is structured around findings from literature studies and attempts to approach into the need for the elderly through Need-based Design.