Positive ageing report gives insights on changing aspirations, needs of senior citizens

Life begins at 60; no work, only leisure; these are the best years, after all. More than two out of five respondents aged over 60 said this, while nearly a third of the over 2,000 respondents aged ove

Life begins at 60; no work, only leisure; these are the best years, after all. More than two out of five respondents aged over 60 said this, while nearly a third of the over 2,000 respondents aged over 18 believed that it is only after 60 that they would have the time and wisdom to achieve their ambitions. These were findings from ‘The Positive Ageing Report’, which gives key insights on the changing aspirations, needs of senior citizens and their view of ageing in the 21st century. The report was launched by Columbia Pacific Communities, a senior living community operator, ahead of World Senior Citizens’ Day, observed on August 21. It covered over 2,000 respondents aged above 18 from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. People older than 60 years account for 8% of the Indian population. However, by 2050, the number of elderly will almost double, with over 319 million people aged over 60. This necessitates reimagining of our existing infrastructure and services to support positive ageing and better senior care for the ageing population.