This preliminary survey was planned to fin d out the self perception of health and hygiene practices of elderly living in a slum of Delhi. Randomly selected 50 elderly 60 yrs. and above were interviewed individually. After looking at the housing conditions, self reported health issues and hygiene practices it was found that the need for public health initiatives was very important especially in the slum areas. People were living in unhygienic conditions without proper facilities of sanitation and water which led to a number of health issues. It is suggested that the government should take measures for improving public health of the people, specially elderly people. Appropriate body or the policy makers plan interventions to make the people aware about proper hygienic practices and health care measures