Empowering Seniors with Inclusive technology – SeniorWorld

Elaborate more about the company, the mission, and the vision?

SeniorWorld was inspired by a strong vision of promoting positive ageing. Rahul & Deepu felt a deep calling to serve the elderly population in India, which they believed was often overlooked. Established in 2015, the company emerged from their desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors. With the senior population set to rise dramatically—projected to constitute one in five individuals by 2050—the need to address their specific needs and aspirations is becoming increasingly urgent.

Despite this demographic shift, many industries focus primarily on youth. SeniorWorld saw an opportunity to create a platform tailored to seniors, offering personalised solutions to enrich their lives. Committed to treating every customer like their own parents, SeniorWorld’s core value of empathy and understanding drives their mission to anticipate and meet the needs of seniors, making a genuine positive impact.

How do you differentiate yourself and stay ahead of your competitors in this industry?

At SeniorWorld, we differentiate ourselves and stay ahead of competitors through a blend of innovation, empathy, and personalised service.

1. Senior-Centric Innovation: We prioritise developing products and services specifically tailored to seniors’ needs. Our offerings include user-friendly feature phones like easyfone, the SilverWings app, and the SilverWings Holidays service. This specialised approach ensures that our solutions are practical and thoughtfully designed to address the unique challenges and preferences of older adults.
2. Personalised Service: Treating every customer with the same care and attention as our own parents is a core value for us. This philosophy drives our approach to customer service, ensuring that each interaction is empathetic and that solutions are customised to meet individual needs.
3. Holistic Approach: We offer a range of services beyond just products, including senior-friendly technology support, wellness programs, and community-building initiatives. This comprehensive approach addresses various aspects of senior living and enhances overall quality of life.
4. Commitment to Quality: Our focus on high-quality products and services, coupled with continuous innovation, sets us apart. We prioritise reliability, ease of use, and effective solutions that truly make a difference in seniors’ lives.
5. Strong Vision and Mission: Our clear vision of promoting positive ageing and our mission to improve the lives of seniors through thoughtful and effective solutions guide our strategic decisions and operational practices. This helps us stay ahead in the industry.

By integrating these elements into our business model, we not only differentiate ourselves from competitors but also create a meaningful and lasting impact on the senior community.

Can you elaborate on the thought process behind choosing this particular segment? How is it going so far?

The thought process behind founding SeniorWorld was deeply rooted in a vision of promoting positive ageing and addressing the unique needs of the elderly population in India.

1. Rising Senior Population: Recognizing the significant rise in India’s senior population, the founders saw an urgent need to address their specific needs and aspirations. The growing demographic trend highlighted a gap in the market for tailored products and services that could cater to older adults’ unique requirements.
2. Lack of Focus on Seniors: At the time, many industries primarily focused on younger demographics, leaving a substantial gap for services and products designed specifically for seniors. This oversight presented an opportunity for us to fill this void and provide solutions that would cater to seniors’ needs and preferences.
3. Opportunity for Impact: With projections indicating that seniors would make up a significant portion of the population by 2050, we saw an opportunity to make a profound impact. Our goal was to create a company that not only addressed immediate needs but also contributed to enhancing the overall quality of life for older adults, enriching their experiences in meaningful ways.
4. Personal Connection: Our personal experiences and values deeply influenced our decision. We were committed to treating every customer with the same care and attention as we would our own parents. This core value shaped our approach to customer service, ensuring that our solutions were empathetic and personalised.

Since our establishment in 2015, SeniorWorld has made significant strides in meeting the needs of seniors. We’ve launched various initiatives such as the easyfone, SilverWings app, and SilverWings Holidays service, all designed to cater specifically to older adults. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and personalised service has helped us build a strong reputation in the industry. We continue to see positive feedback and growth, affirming our belief in the importance of this segment and our mission to improve the lives of seniors.

What is the Company’s next phase of growth in products, technologies ?

In our next phase of growth, we are committed to expanding and enhancing our offerings for seniors by leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and innovative product development. One of our key focuses is on growing the SilverWings app. By tying up with partners, we aim to leverage their offerings to provide more holistic solutions, ensuring seniors have access to a broader spectrum of activities and services. We also plan to host more city meet-ups and collaborate with local organisations to create community events that foster connection and engagement.

In our travel segment, we’re introducing new and exciting destinations tailored for senior travellers, ensuring comfortable and memorable experiences. On the technology front, we’re continually improving our products, such as the Easyfone. With the recent launch of our 4G models, we can now introduce more advanced features, further enhancing usability and connectivity for seniors.

Our ongoing commitment is to use technology and partnerships to create comprehensive solutions that enrich the lives of our senior customers.

Elaborate on how SeniorWorld is gaining momentum in the industry from Easyfone, SilverWings App, and SilverWings Holidays.

SeniorWorld is rapidly gaining momentum in the industry by offering a comprehensive suite of products and services that cater to the unique needs of seniors.

1. easyfone: Empowering Seniors with Inclusive Technology

Introduced in 2015, easyfone has revolutionised mobile technology for seniors by offering a range of customised, easy-to-use mobile phones. Designed with an inclusive approach, these phones feature big buttons, loud sound, effortless charging, photo dial, and an external torch—ensuring that seniors can stay connected with ease.

Recognized as a Game Changer by NexBrands Inc., easyfone stands out with two key features tailored specifically for seniors:

• CareTouch: This remote configuration functionality allows children and caregivers to monitor the senior’s location, well-being, and safety. It also enables them to remotely change menu settings, set alarms, and reminders, providing peace of mind for both seniors and their families.
• Dedicated SOS Key: In emergencies, a single press of the SOS key triggers a siren to alert nearby people while also calling and sending SMS messages to five emergency contacts, potentially saving lives.

easyfone’s impact is evident, with over 1 lakh families trusting it for senior-friendly mobile technology, making it a leading choice in this segment.

2.SilverWings App: Combating Loneliness and Enhancing Connectivity

With 65% of urban seniors experiencing loneliness, the launch of the SilverWings App marked a significant step toward helping elders live fuller, more connected lives. Developed with feedback from our 3 lakh+ strong senior community on Facebook, the app is built around the 4E’s: express, engage, explore, and enjoy.

The app offers a wide range of features:

• Engaging Content: Daily updates that resonate with seniors, encouraging them to express themselves and engage with others.
• Social Connections: Facilitating connections through shared interests, allowing seniors to form new friendships and strengthen existing ones.
• Technology Classes and Hobby Exploration: Empowering seniors to explore new skills and hobbies in a supportive environment.
• Wellness Support: Offering daily yoga sessions, doctor talks, health articles, and medicine reminders to promote physical and mental well-being.

As Mrs. Mahajan from Noida aptly puts it, “SilverWings is my daily dose of tonic for engagement and fun.” The app has quickly become an indispensable tool for many seniors, enhancing their quality of life by keeping them connected and engaged.

3.SilverWings Holidays: Tailored Travel Experiences for Seniors

Launched in 2016, SilverWings Holidays has redefined travel for seniors by offering customizable and assisted travel services. With over 500 trips organised and more than 10,000 satisfied customers, we have explored 20+ countries and numerous destinations within India, making travel a joyful and accessible experience for seniors.

• Safe and Hassle-Free Tours: Ensuring peace of mind with every journey. ● Dedicated Care: The presence of a dedicated and experienced tour manager to assist throughout the trip.
• Comfort and Convenience: High-quality, well-located hotels, curated sightseeing experiences, comfortable transportation, and a slow-paced itinerary to ensure maximum comfort.
• Fun and Friendship: Opportunities for seniors to travel with their peers, rediscover themselves, and forge new friendships.
• Small Groups: Providing a highly customised and intimate travel experience.

Whether exploring sacred sites on spiritual tours, seeking adventure tailored for seniors, or enjoying the tranquillity of nature, SilverWings Holidays offers diverse options that cater to every senior’s travel desires. Destinations range from Varanasi, Gujarat, Kerala, and Kashmir in India to Japan, Europe, Dubai, Bali, and more internationally.

By staying true to our mission of promoting positive ageing and addressing the unique needs of seniors, SeniorWorld is poised to continue leading the industry and making a meaningful impact on the lives of the elderly.

Describe your distribution strategy, both online and offline.

At SeniorWorld, our distribution strategy combines both online and offline channels to effectively reach and serve our senior customers. We offer our easyfone mobile phones on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, while also partnering with retail stores such as Vijay Sales, Oxygen, and myG for in-person purchases. Our SilverWings app, which is free to download (both android & iOS) with premium services available for a nominal fee, provides easy access to our senior-friendly travel packages and other services. This integrated approach ensures that our products and services are accessible, convenient, and tailored to meet the needs of the elderly.

Need for Positive Ageing in today’s era. Retirement is not the end of life, rather it is a time to start living again. Elaborate.

The need for positive ageing is more important than ever in today’s era. Retirement isn’t the end of life; it’s an opportunity to start living anew. Rather than slowing down, this phase can be a time to explore new passions, embrace hobbies, and enjoy life to the fullest. Positive ageing encourages seniors to stay active, engaged, and fulfilled, proving that this stage of life can be just as vibrant and rewarding as any other.

How can Working Children support their Retired parents in more engaging ways?

Families, especially working children, play a crucial role in supporting their retired parents in several ways. Firstly, they can provide emotional support by maintaining regular communication and spending quality time together. This helps alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation often experienced by seniors. Secondly, families can assist in managing their parents’ healthcare needs, ensuring they attend medical appointments and adhere to prescribed treatments.

Financial support is another significant aspect, where children can help manage retirement funds and expenses, ensuring their parents’ financial security. Additionally, involving seniors in family decisions and activities helps them feel valued and engaged, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Ultimately, creating a supportive environment where seniors feel cared for and included enhances their overall well-being during retirement.

We actively involve family members and caregivers in supporting seniors’ social lives through various features and programs. Our easyfone includes a CareTouch feature, allowing caregivers to guide and monitor seniors remotely. During group travel, we form dedicated groups to keep caregivers updated about their seniors’ trips. On the SilverWings app, we conduct intergenerational sessions where caregivers can join

seniors in activities, fostering bonding and meaningful interactions. These initiatives ensure a collaborative and supportive environment for enhancing seniors’ social lives.

Name some of the important brand collaborations that SeniorWorld ?

SeniorWorld has partnered with Dial 4242 to offer 24/7 Ambulance Coordination Services for seniors across 700+ cities, enhancing emergency management and providing peace of mind. Additionally, a collaboration with Barista transforms coffee hangouts into social hubs for seniors, addressing isolation through events like game evenings and cyber fraud awareness sessions, and offering special discounts to SilverWings Club members.

In the future, we plan to partner with more strategic allies to create a holistic platform for seniors, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.

What are the different marketing strategies that SeniorWold is opting for better ROI?

We recently launched the “Mast Rehne Ka” campaign, which encourages a tension-free and joyful lifestyle for seniors. To achieve better ROI, we’re expanding our presence on digital channels to connect more effectively with seniors and their families. We’re also collaborating with senior resident facilities to engage directly with our target audience. Additionally, we’re exploring partnerships with corporates to reach seniors through their children, ensuring a broader and more impactful reach. These strategies are designed to maximise engagement and drive growth across multiple touchpoints.

What are your goals for the year 2024 – 2025?

For 2024-2025, SeniorWorld aims to advance our Easyfone models by integrating 4G capabilities to support additional services and features. We plan to expand our digital marketing efforts, enhance the SilverWings app with new holistic offerings, introduce more travel destinations through SilverWings Holidays, and strengthen partnerships with corporates and local organisations.