How startups are tackling older adult care by launching new products and offers

The current market for older adult care is massive — and growing at an unprecedented rate. In India, alone, there are approximately 70-100 million differently-abled people. In a country where the struggle is a daily constant, life is even harder for the differently-abled/Senior citizens. Be in terms of traveling, living an independent life or going out, there are certain challenges that need to be addressed for them.

Bridging the gaps and tackling issues are startups such as Droom, Seniority & Elder Ease who are doing their best to improve the lives of the elderly and of those who take care of them by introducing new products and offerings for the senior citizens and differently abled.

Here is the list of startups who are tapping the older and disable citizens;

Droom: Droom is an AI and data science-driven online transactional platform, which offers 21st-century experience in buying and selling of used and new automobiles in India and other emerging markets. Droom has been offering a wide range of automobile categories from bicycles to planes on its platform. The first company in its domain to introduce such a category especially for senior citizens and the differently-abled, this initiative underlines Droom’s vision of providing mobility solutions for all. Manufactured leveraging state-of-art technologies, these electric wheelchairs are more navigable, durable, and cost-effective when compared to other powered wheelchairs available in the market. Moreover, it is a wheelchair with ‘Split Frame Technology’, thereby assuring good drive control capabilities and better maneuverability even on rough terrain. By introducing a cost-effective all-terrain wheelchair frame technology on its platform, Droom envisions to maximize safety, comfort, and independence for the elderly and the differently-abled.

Seniority: Seniority is India's first destination created especially for all senior citizens. They say that they are here to help consumers with their specially curated products, selected specifically with users in mind. One can browse through their e-commerce platform (www.seniority.in) or even chain of retail stores. To build a thriving community with our constant push for innovation in their products. They believe in providing products of the highest quality. With their retail stores as well as user-friendly e-commerce website, they are aiming to provide for all needs.

Elder Ease: ElderEaseTM, a store for senior home care solutions. ElderEaseTM was found by a team that endeavors to find quality products to address needs and comforts. Given their passion for enabling seniors to keep well, active and independent, they have identified some of the challenges of senior living. To fulfill their needs they have selected some of the best products from a host of global players, including the USA, UK, and Germany. Their focus remains on quality, simplicity and great service. If you or you’re loved one needs a little help – or a lot – they offer practical and very affordable solutions that make life a little easier.

Emoha elder care: Senior and assisted living options may be thriving in India, but a majority of elders are keen to live in their own homes for as long as they can. Gurugram-based EMOHA Eldercare makes this possible. The tech-backed, holistic eldercare service promises health monitoring, support, safety, engagement, and emergency care, promoting an active and energized lifestyle for senior citizens.

Run by former defense personnel, the startup uses the military “buddy concept” to ensure the wellbeing of elders in the absence of family support. EMOHA, which stands for “Emotional Happiness”, is also an anagram of “a home”. The eldercare startup was founded in January 2019 by Saumyajit Roy, who has been in the eldercare industry for over a decade and anchored by Lumis Partners.

Athulya Living: Among the crop of products and services that are catering to the needs of young India stand out startups like Chennai-based Athulya Assisted Living serving senior citizens, who may form a niche audience now, but not for long.

Athulya is positioned as an assisted living center and focuses on people living abroad as well as busy professionals who need professional care for their parents. From assisted beds to high-end ECG machines and a doctor-on-call round-the-clock, Athulya does all its bookings online, the verifications over a phone call, followed by physical verifications as well. The startup charges its clients on a rental (monthly) basis.