Social Innovation as an Instrument for Productive and Self-reliant Ageing

Ageing is characterised by number of physical, emotional, economic, and social changes that makes their life entirely different from others. Elderly period or late adulthood is considered as the second childhood of a person, which requires care and protection by the family and society, similar to the care they give to a child. Physical illness, social isolation, economic dependence, and loneliness are coming hand-in-hand with ageing. Since the elderly population of India crosses 104 million (Census, 2011), addressing their concerns are gaining momentum. Ensuring a healthy ageing by engaging with them, making their life economically, socially and culturally more productive with social innovation are introduced in the elderly care. These innovative ideas integrate the existing systems, services and resources with novel concepts, which are usually cost-effective in nature and easy to use, can make the life of elderly more secure and joyful. With the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based services and products, creation of opportunities for better social interaction and social networks, economic and health care services, social innovation can play an important role to ensure a productive and self-reliant ageing.