Globally, People are living longer. The number of older people and their share of the population is increasing in every nation on Earth. It is expected that by 2030, one out of every six individuals on the planet will be over 60 years of age. The number of individuals over 60 years old is predicted to rise to 1.4 billion by 2030. Furthermore, it is projected that by 2050, the world's population of individuals over the age of 60 will reach 2.1 billion. While population aging began in high-income nations, such as Japan, where 30% of the population is already over 60 years old, it is now being felt most acutely in low- and middle-income countries. By 2050, two-thirds of the world's population over 60 years old will reside in low- and middle-income countries. Due to successful health measures that have reduced death rates, India has experienced faster growth in the population over 65 than in the general population since the 1981 census. As a result, it is projected that over 10% of India's population will be over 60 in 2021, and this number is expected to exceed 20% by 2031.

Ageing in itself is a natural and inevitable process that begins at birth and continues throughout our lives. Ageing occurs biologically as a result of the accumulation of numerous types of molecular and cellular damage over time. This causes a steady decline in physical and mental ability. As we age, our bodies undergo a range of changes that can impact our health, mobility, and cognitive function. It leads to a decline in physical function, including decreased strength, flexibility, and mobility; as well as cognitive function which can lead to memory loss, difficulty with decision-making, and slowed reaction times. Phenomenologically, growing old is frequently linked to different stages of life, including retirement, moving to a more suitable home, and losing friends and relationships, which can impact their emotional well-being and quality of life. Last but not the least, with retirement and changes in financial circumstances, an individual's economic well-being is also impacted. As a result, many elderly individuals may require assistance to help them navigate these challenges. Providing appropriate assistance not only addresses their needs and challenges but also ensures that they can continue to live their lives to the fullest. By taking a proactive approach to elder care, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment that empowers our elders to lead fulfilling and independent lives.  

Apart from this, the social perspectives on elderly people are complex and multifaceted. While some societies place a high value on elderly people and their contributions, others may marginalize or discriminate against older adults. The elderly often face the challenges of fighting through the notions pre-conceived by society. They are often perceived as being out of touch with modern culture and trends. This stereotype can lead to exclusion from social and cultural events and can make it more difficult for older adults to connect with younger generations. They are also sometimes seen as being dependent on others for care and support, which can lead to the practice of ageism. The elderly are also often expected to be inclined towards activities ‘suitable for their age’ like spirituality and not those like fashion or travel. By promoting more positive and inclusive social perspectives on ageing, we can create a more equitable and supportive society for people of all ages.

To promote constructive and positive conversation around ageing, IndiGive Foundation has launched Superbeings Program Initiative. Superbeings Program celebrates the experience and intergenerational wisdom of elderlies as a superpower and elders as superbeings. With the Superbeings Program; the foundation envisions a future where elders are loved, cared for, and nurtured in the evening of their lives. The mission is to preserve the dignity and self-worth of the elders while creating an interest-based collective to realize their innate superpowers and relish the story called life.  

Based on research, conversations and interaction with elders and experts, IndiGive Foundation felt the need to bridge the apparent gap between the technology and elderly. The objective is to equip our elderlies with tools to prevent them from the ever-growing threat of cybercrimes and cyberbullying. The organisation recognizes that with technology becoming an indispensable part of our lives, our understanding of its misuse is equally necessary and this becomes all the more important especially when it comes to the elderly population given their heightened susceptibility to such cybercrimes. It was also alarming to see that while there is the availability of a lot of resource material for the prevention of cyber-crimes but most of it is available in a manner whereby it is difficult for someone with no or little knowledge of technology to use them productively given the use of technical terms and jargons. Moreover, the availability of the same in vernacular languages is even rarer. Sensing the need for an initiative to bridge this gap; the foundation decided to launch a social awareness workshop designed and curated for elderlies under the banner of its Superbeings Program. These Cyber Security workshops intend to disseminate knowledge and create awareness among senior citizens through the use of non-technical and easy-to-understand language. The workshop is designed in vernacular language to ensure that the beneficiaries can take the most out of the workshop and engage with the internet in a productive yet safe manner. The workshop is designed in a very interactive manner and involves the use of multimedia tools to enhance the reach and effect of the content and improve the ease of understanding of the workshop. The workshop attempts to empower our senior citizens to explore all the advantages that technology has to offer without being terror-stricken due to the dangers of the same! 

References: 

Ageing and Health Ageing and health India (who.int)