How can we transform senior living in India? Key takeaways from the 5th ASLI Ageing Fest

With India poised to embrace a future marked by a growing senior population, the 5th ASLI Ageing Fest underscored the urgency of building a comprehensive and inclusive ecosystem that empowers seniors to lead fulfilling lives. The event highlighted the importance of addressing the evolving needs of the elderly while celebrating their vitality and resilience. It reinforced the message that life after 60 is not just about aging gracefully but also about embracing reinvention, purpose, and joy. The festival served as a platform to champion the potential of senior years as a phase of confidence, growth, and meaningful experiences.

Dr. VK Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, highlighted the need for a holistic approach to senior care.

One roundtable focused on private capital opportunities in the senior living and senior care space to discuss the sector’s growth. Mr Prashant Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India, outlined what he would look for while investing in a company working in the sector. “I would look for transformational ideas, not just 1x or 2x better. We have the science, the IP and the engineering capability to define some of these ideas. We need deep science, good engineering and great entrepreneurs to take these ideas to market.”

Ms Priya Mohan, Partner, General Catalyst, said the senior care market had reached an inflexion point. “Today, we have immense amounts of data and tech to provide continuous care. We have to focus on building solutions that empower our customers. I would personally consider investing in solutions that focus on customer insights.”

Another roundtable focused on AgeTech and technology for seniors. Moderated by Ms Mrinalini Mirchandani, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company, the panel included diverse views from people in the AgeTech sector. Commenting on the importance of technology, Mr Ayush Agarwal, Co-Founder of Kubo Care, said, “As India becomes an ageing country, we will realise that technology is very important in terms of senior living and cannot be replaced with manpower. We are trying to bring global tech, ensuring seniors are healthy and safe within their own boundaries. We are looking to automate and reduce the dependency on manpower."

Mr Ganapathy GR, CFO of Machani Robotics, which is exploring a humanoid named RIA for eldercare, said, "Eldercare requires infinite patience, and we think a humanoid is the best way to address this need. While people generally view humanoids as offering physical assistance, we took a big bet on compassion and social use cases."

Mr Rohit MA, Managing Partner, Peer Capital Founder, Cloud Nine, spoke about investing in AgeTech. "There is often confusion on what kind of capital is needed in AgeTech. Many people think venture capital is the only way, but it is only a tiny piece of the puzzle. There can be policy-driven capital from the government or if the consumer can pay, which I believe is the best form of capital"

A highlight of the festival was the Seniors-Only Fashion Show, where senior citizens graced the runway with remarkable style, confidence, and individuality. Celebrating their resilience and challenging stereotypes about aging, the show captivated attendees with the participants' elegance and poise.

The 5th ASLI Ageing Fest had key sponsors, including Ashiana Housing, Primus Senior Living, BridgeHealth, Jagriti Dham, Antara Senior Living, Elements Senior Living, Paranjape Schemes Construction Ltd., and Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific.

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