It is very well known that due to advancements in healthcare and technology the life expectancies of people have increased. However, with longer life expectancy, the effects of aging are also more pronounced. Different cultures view aging in  different lights. Jared Diamond, an American geographer, historian, ornithologist, and author, explored how different societies perceive and treat their older citizens. Some cultures hold their elders in high regard, while others view them as incompetent and make them the subject of jokes. The senior care arrangements also vary, from children caring for their parents at home to placing them in care facilities. There have also been studies conducted to understand the perspective differences. For example, a survey conducted in the United Kingdom and Taiwan explored individuals' perceptions of their society's views on aging and their personal views on age-related changes. The data showed that Eastern cultures believed their society had a positive perception of older adults' confidence and emotional capabilities. (Aging Around the World - Center for Healthy Aging, 2022) 

Another study revealed that Hawaiian grandmothers are highly regarded for their expertise in creating intricate leis and feather accessories. In New Guinea, an elderly woman who witnessed a devastating typhoon is looked upon for guidance on identifying safe plants to eat during disasters. Western societies also value experience associated with age, evident in the average ages of US Presidents and Supreme Court justices. Certain societies even go a step further and attribute magical powers to the elderly. The Huaorani people of Ecuador believe that elderly shamans possess magical abilities, such as transforming into jaguars, to cure diseases by channeling animal spirits. (Jacobs, 2013)

The perception regarding elderly also influences their living arrangements in society. Approximately three-quarters of elderly Japanese parents live with their adult children, a trend seen in Korea and China as well, influenced by the Confucian teaching of filial piety. But the value of spending time with the elderly is not limited to Confucian ideals. France, passed Article 207 of the Civil Code in 2004, which mandates that adult children maintain contact with their elderly parents. This law was a response to a study revealing a high rate of elderly suicides and a heatwave that resulted in the deaths of mostly elderly individuals. Traditionally, in India and Nepal, newlywed couples move in with the groom's family in a patrilocal living arrangement. However, economic changes are altering residence patterns as children move away from their parents due to urbanization. To address this, the Indian and Nepalese governments are developing state-run elderly care programs. (Jacobs, 2013)  

Regardless of varied ideologies about elderly and their contributions to society, it is also an undeniable fact that throughout human existence, older individuals have played a vital role in providing solutions to life's challenges. Anthropologists explain that in prehistoric times, the wisdom of older people contributed to human survival. They not only cared for and fed their grandchildren but also offered tried and tested experience as the true "elders" whom group members sought during crises. In agricultural societies, the family elder often held crucial knowledge on farming practices and handling environmental issues, which could prevent starvation. Therefore, consulting older people is a natural inclination for humans.   

Those in their seventies and beyond have lived through extraordinary experiences that younger individuals can hardly fathom. These experiences, termed "ultimate limit situations" by psychologist Juan Pascual-Leone, involve irreversibility and require conscious resolve. Examples include illness, aging, failure, oppression, loss, poverty, and risking death in war. It is precisely these situations that contribute to wisdom. Elders possess this wisdom in abundance due to the multitude of ultimate limit situations they have encountered. Their unique perspective offers valuable insights for younger generations. In times of economic downturn, seeking advice from those who held their families together during the Great Depression is logical. Similarly, during times of war, learning coping mechanisms from war veterans and their spouses can be invaluable. (Pillemer, 2012) 

IndiGive Foundation is therefore conducting a Superbeings Program which celebrates aging as a superpower and recognizes elders as superbeings endowed with intergenerational wisdom. Certain qualities and insights can only be acquired through the passage of time and life experiences, and it's essential that there is a mechanism to transfer this intergenerational dialogue. 

Sub-initiatives like the SuperTalks program can establish the potential to empower elderly individuals by providing them with a sense of purpose, connection, and value in their communities, which can be incredibly beneficial for their well-being and overall quality of life. Furthermore, the program aims to facilitate a platform where elderly individuals can openly share their personal challenges and concerns and be the advocate of their own causes. By offering a space for these individuals to express themselves and be heard, they may feel more empowered to take control of their lives and become active agents in managing their own well-being. Ultimately, this can lead to increased self-confidence, improved emotional resilience, and a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in their daily lives. It is the platform of the elderly, for the elderly and by the elderly to initiate important conversations around critical issues.

References: 

Jacobs, L. (2013, November 25). What it’s like to grow old, in different parts of the world. TED Blog. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://blog.ted.com/what-its-like-to-grow-old-in-different-parts-of-the-world/ 

Pillemer, K. A. (2012, January 16). Why Should We Listen to Old People? A Very Good Question. HuffPost. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-should-we-listen-to-old-people_b_1207996 

Aging Around the World - Center for Healthy Aging. (2022, January 28). Colorado State University. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.research.colostate.edu/healthyagingcenter/2022/01/28/aging-around-the-world/