About us
The reality
More than 60 years have gone by. And now you’re finally here in the golden years of your life. In this new phase, you have new needs to live life to the fullest with – independence, joy and dignity.
To ensure that the 50+ is taken care of, it is critical to take a closer look at the underserved within the senior cohort. The seniors who are at the bottom end of the economic pyramid need a friendly helping hand, and a safety net so that they can also make the most of their golden years with support from their own community.
- 10% (149 Million) of the total population is 60+
- More than 40 % of the elderly in India are in the poorest wealth quintile.
- 19% have no source of income.
- Nearly 62% of the 60+ are financially dependent.
- More than 55% of the elderly population is illiterate.
- More than 75% of the elderly people in India suffer from chronic diseases.
- Health-related expenses are the most common causes of indebtedness.
- 72% of the senior citizens are not aware of the concessions for the senior citizens. Most of them have either nor accessed it and if they have accessed it they find it difficult to avail it
Who we are
We believe that every senior is a SilverStar – bright with wisdom and experience. SilverStars have been responsible for leading their families, communities and society. As they get older, they are made to feel that they are a burden, many feel irrelevant, they don’t count, often they are forgotten. We are here to support and hand-hold them through these day-to-day struggles.
Vision
- To support every underserved 50+ in India.
- Make them aware of their rights.
- Help them get access to services.
- Help them get economically and emotionally independent.
Mission
- To create a network of partners, patrons & supporters for the cohort.
- Build awareness of their rights & state benefits.
- Help them get access to basic rights, necessities and health care.
- Supplement & upgrade their skills to enhance income.
- Leverage technology to reach the last mile and make our vision a reality.
Values that inspire us
People-centric
Able & supportive
Open & collaborative
Change-making
Founder's note
As children, we looked up to our parents, they were big and strong and beautiful and smart and knew their way around in the world. As a child, our view of the world came from our parents. The way they walked and talked, the language they used, their mannerisms and gestures would creep out from behind our actions. To be told that you were just like your mother or father was praise of the highest order. Their dreams became our dreams and their credit and praise fueled us and kept us going. Somehow, somewhere, life caught up with us and the reality of the relationship changed. The power shifted from your parents to you. Now they needed your approval, they needed your help. They started looking up to you, for decisions, for direction and for help.
Sometimes this role reversal can be frustrating for both child and parent. How can someone who was so powerful and the head in the family become so weak, so needy, so fearful. For the parent too, it is difficult to ask for help. It is tough to accept a sense of inadequacy. To feel dependent on the child. This complex relationship gets even more difficult when the economic foundations are weak. How do you handle acute resource scarcity when three generations are fighting for the same rupee. In the case of a tradeoff, the older generation is seen as being less deserving of resources. The future takes priority over the past and this is a very tough decision that many families have to face on an almost daily basis. Given this reality, how can we help the underserved 50+!
We at SilverStars help by addressing the basic requirements of this cohort.
- How do they stay healthy?
- Can they improve their earning potential?
- What is the information they need that can help them take charge of their lives?
- What skills do they need?
- How can we harness the power of technology to help them?
- How can we harness the power of the marketplace?
- Can we build an ecosystem where partners can come together to help add value to the lives of the underserved?
- How can the cohort support this group?
- What is it that we can do for those who need our help?