India is ageing, and rapidly. In a country that has traditionally celebrated ageing within the nurturing environment of joint families and close-knit communities, the realities of today are strikingly different. With rising urbanisation, evolving family structures, and increasing life expectancy due to medical advancements, the needs of our senior citizens have undergone significant changes. Senior care in India can no longer be seen as a matter of personal responsibility alone. It is, in fact, a national policy priority, one that needs robust infrastructure, forward-thinking planning, and long-term commitment to keep pace with our changing demographics. From Niche to Necessity Over the past decade, we have seen a growing awareness around the importance of senior care. What was once considered a niche or a luxury lifestyle segment is now being recognised as essential. In 2011, India had around 104 million citizens over the age of 60. By 2031, this number is expected to jump to 192 million, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). This is a massive shift. It’s what experts are calling “The Silver Wave”, and the question we must ask ourselves is: Are we ready? Many Indian cities are not designed for seniors. From inaccessible public transport systems to poorly maintained pedestrian pathways and limited healthcare centres within close range, urban planning has rarely considered the unique requirements of older adults. As per a report by HelpAge India, 43% of elders in urban areas feel unsafe navigating the city on their own. That number isn’t just a statistic; it reflects a serious oversight in the way we build our environments. Breaking the Stereotypes Around Senior Living One of the biggest challenges the sector faces is perception. Senior living is often confused with old-age homes or institutions that come with outdated stereotypes. But modern senior living is about independence with support, autonomy with access. The best communities focus on enabling seniors to lead full, active lives while being equipped with support systems that can step in when needed. This misperception also bleeds into policy. Government support for elder care infrastructure remains patchy and inconsistent. While schemes exist, implementation often falters at the local level. There is also a lack of standardised regulations and incentives to encourage private players to invest in and scale quality senior living options. Technology as an Enabler, Not a Substitute In recent years, technology has emerged as a powerful ally in elder care. From wearable health trackers and telemedicine platforms to AI-enabled emergency monitoring, tech innovation is helping improve health outcomes and safety for seniors. Many senior living communities are now integrating smart health systems and digital tools for proactive wellness management. However, it is crucial to remember that technology can complement but not replace the human care and physical infrastructure that seniors need. Moreover, the digital divide still persists. Access to and comfort with technology vary widely among seniors, and any tech integration must be accompanied by user-friendly design and on-ground support. A Cultural Shift in How We View Ageing As a society, we also need to rethink how we view ageing. In many ways, ageism is still deeply rooted — from how we talk about seniors, to how we design our cities and workplaces. But there is hope. The last few years have seen a wave of startups, not-for-profits and community leaders focusing on holistic ageing, active retirement, and age-friendly environments. What we must realise is that this isn’t about preparing for some distant future. It’s happening now. And by 2031, nearly 14% of India’s population will be over 60. We need to act today. In addition to infrastructure, emotional well-being and dignity must be at the heart of any senior care solution. This means ensuring that seniors are not isolated, that they remain part of the cultural and social fabric of communities, and that they are empowered to make choices about how they live. The burden cannot lie on individual families alone — it must be supported by community models, public-private partnerships, and policies that keep our ageing citizens front and centre. Also read: How Can India Redesign Its Healthcare Beyond 2025? A National Response for a Demographic Reality India is facing a demographic certainty, not a possibility. The ageing population is no longer a future problem; it is a present and growing reality. Yet, the systems needed to support this shift are lagging far behind. Without a strategic and coordinated response, India risks creating a public health, urban planning, and social welfare crisis. Senior living and elder care must be integrated into national development agendas, including smart city initiatives, housing missions, healthcare reforms, and labour policies. This is not about privilege—it is about preparedness. If India is to ensure that its elderly citizens live with dignity, independence, and care, it must act with urgency and vision. The Silver Wave has already arrived. Our response must match its scale and speed. Views expressed by: Rajagopal G, CEO, Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific

With India’s elderly population projected to reach over 300 million by 2050, the need for innovative and integrated senior care solutions has never been more critical. In an exclusive interview with Rajagopal G, Co-Founder, Director & CEO of Lifebridge Group, Dr. Asawari Savant from Elets News Network (ENN), explores how Lifebridge Group’s collaborative ecosystem, comprising Columbia Pacific Communities, KITES Senior Care, and seniorshield, is redefining the future of elderly well-being. Edited excerpts With Columbia Pacific Communities, KITES Senior Care, and seniorshield under your leadership, how do these entities collectively redefine senior living and elderly healthcare in India? What sets them apart in the growing senior care market? The collaboration between Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific, KITES Senior Care, and seniorshield creates a comprehensive ecosystem that supports both the physical and mental well-being of seniors. Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific is India’s first and largest Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), leading the way in providing modern, thoughtfully designed senior living spaces that prioritise safety, engagement, and comfort. KITES Senior Care delivers specialised out-of-hospital services, including post-hospitalisation rehabilitation, dementia care, and palliative care, ensuring that seniors continue to receive the care they need after leaving medical facilities. Seniorshield adds another layer by offering a tech-enabled solution that allows for real-time health monitoring, teleconsultations, and social interaction, ensuring that families can remain involved and provide continuous support. What sets us apart is our seamless approach, where healthcare services, living environments, and technology work together to create a well-rounded experience for seniors. We address not only their medical needs but also focus on mental stimulation, social interaction, and maintaining an active lifestyle. What inspired the launch of seniorshield, and how does it integrate with KITES Senior Care and Columbia Pacific Communities to provide a holistic ecosystem for elderly well-being? The launch of seniorshield was driven by the growing need among families for continuous health monitoring and support for seniors after they transition from formal care settings. This platform is not exclusive to KITES Senior Care and is accessible to all seniors in need of ongoing health management and assistance. Families were concerned about their elderly loved ones experiencing isolation and missing out on the consistent care they received in those environments. seniorshield bridges this gap by integrating seamlessly with KITES Senior Care, providing continuous health tracking and easy access to teleconsultations with specialists. Additionally, with the launch of seniorshield, we are working to bring senior living, care, and technology under one roof, offering a comprehensive solution that ensures seniors have access to personalised care and support wherever they are. Meanwhile, Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific offers senior living spaces that focus on active ageing, featuring social events and physical activities. This collaboration brings together health, safety, engagement, and convenience, creating a comprehensive approach to senior care that supports both seniors and their families. Together, these organisations are committed to improving the quality of life for seniors while reducing the challenges for families. Also Read :- How Localising Key Components and Scaling Production Can Drive Further Affordability of CAR T-Cell Therapy What is the current user base of seniorshield, and how actively engaged are seniors on the platform? How do you ensure accessibility and ease of use for elderly individuals who may not be tech-savvy? Seniorshield is in its early launch phase, and we tested the platform with over 100 seniors. Our goal is to onboard 10,000 active users within the first year. We are committed to ensuring that the platform is user-friendly and accessible, especially for seniors who may not be very tech-savvy. The app’s interface has been designed with simplicity in mind, with large buttons, clear instructions, and easy navigation. Additionally, the platform includes tutorials and family member support to help seniors get acquainted with using the app. Families can also monitor the health data of their loved ones, providing an extra layer of assistance. How does seniorshield leverage AI and advanced technology to enhance elderly healthcare, especially in predictive health monitoring and early disease detection? Seniorshield leverages AI and advanced data analytics to provide real-time predictive health monitoring, continuously tracking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. The platform uses sophisticated AI algorithms to analyse this data, identifying early warning signs of potential health issues. For example, it can detect abnormal vitals that may indicate underlying risks for conditions like heart disease or diabetes. By catching these issues early, seniorshield allows for timely intervention, preventing the progression of more serious health complications. This proactive approach helps ensure that seniors receive the attention they need before concerns escalate. Through this technology, we offer both seniors and their families peace of mind, knowing that their health is being closely monitored and any potential risks are flagged promptly. What role do IoT and wearable technologies play in seniorshield’s real-time health tracking, and how do they contribute to preventive and proactive healthcare for seniors? At the heart of seniorshield’s health tracking capabilities are IoT and wearable technologies. By integrating wearables that monitor key vitals such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep patterns, we ensure that seniors’ health is continuously tracked in real time. These wearables sync seamlessly with the seniorshield platform, providing instant access to vital health data for seniors, their families, and healthcare professionals alike. This continuous stream of data enables a more proactive approach to healthcare. With real-time insights, any irregularities can be detected early, allowing for timely intervention. For instance, if a senior experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure or oxygen levels, the system can send an immediate alert to the user or their family, prompting quick action. This level of monitoring not only helps seniors maintain better health but also reduces unnecessary hospital visits, ensuring that they receive ongoing, personalised care that’s responsive to their needs. Are there plans to collaborate with hospitals, senior care homes, and healthcare providers to expand seniorshield’s reach and impact? What kind of partnerships would be most valuable in scaling elderly healthcare solutions? We are prioritising reach to seniors through their children to make this more acceptable, since the children see the benefits of the app and the wearable being provided to their loved ones. Collaborating with senior care homes will ensure that residents benefit from seniorshield’s continuous monitoring and engagement features, contributing to a more cohesive care model. Furthermore, we’ve already partnered with PharmEasy, which allows us to offer convenient access to medications and healthcare products directly through the platform, making it easier for seniors to manage their prescriptions and health needs. Additionally, by forming strategic partnerships with insurance companies and pharmaceutical providers, we plan to offer valuable services such as discounted health checkups and convenient medication delivery. These partnerships will play a key role in scaling seniorshield and making it a more accessible, all-encompassing healthcare solution for seniors throughout India. With India’s senior population growing rapidly, what are your plans for expanding Columbia Pacific Communities, KITES Senior Care, and seniorshield? How do you envision the next phase of senior care in India? As India’s senior population continues to grow, we are committed to expanding our services across all three entities. Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific plans to develop additional senior living communities in key cities, ensuring that every senior has access to comfortable, secure, and vibrant living spaces designed for their well-being. KITES Senior Care will broaden its reach to more cities, offering specialised services such as post-hospitalisation support, dementia care, and palliative care to meet the diverse needs of seniors. Seniorshield, on the other hand, is focused on scaling rapidly and increasing its user base. As we continue to refine the platform, we will incorporate feedback and real-world insights to improve its features and functionality. Our vision is to create a future where seniors have access to integrated healthcare solutions, personalised care, and the opportunity to live active, fulfilling lives. The next phase of senior care in India will be defined by technology-driven solutions that make healthcare more accessible, while promoting seamless coordination between different service providers, ensuring that elderly individuals enjoy healthier and more connected lives.