How to Connect with your Elders

We live in 21st century where Change is fast and constant, there is so much happening in our life and its difficult to keep the pace and take everyone along. New Development, urge to grow, explore new things and stay ahead from all; is not only taking toll on our mental and physical health but also on our relationship. In all this, fast 'vertical growth' of our life we unknowingly leave behind some and the gap between generations is growing. While we move ahead we forget basic ethics of life which can keep bond between families and humans intact. In this life journey our Elders at home and elders in our life suffer most and they live life in isolation and loneliness. Our Elder deserve Respect and they need us, they need youth to connect with them. Different generations coming together will not only help our human development and keep family together but it will also let our Elders know that we value them, we care for them, we respect them. 

Don't Leave Your Elders Behind 

With our Silver Innings experiences and wonderful article by 'Wits End Parenting and Hunter Rising' we have found out some basic ways, Tips; which will help you to start the conversation and connect to your Elders and these meaningful ways will help to build wonderful relationship with your elders. Our mission is to #LeaveNoOneBehind .

Tip 1 : Give them a Call, it can be either audio call or video call and message them when ever you have time. It might be not possible to visit them, but hearing your voice or seeing you, will make them feel good and they will appreciate it. 

Tip 2 : Whenever possible visit them it can be surprise visit. Plan a visit according to their daily routine, seeing you in person and that face to face chat will boost their well-being. 

Tip 3: Elders like when someone greets them, shake hand, giving hug or say Namaste. Talk to them in normal tone, talk slow and in simple language; remember happy face makes things better; communication is important for any relationship.  

 Tip 4: Elders love when we seek their Advice. They are rich source of experience, they have knowledge, they have lived the life of ups and down. You can seek their advice on job, relationship, happy life and issues you are not clear about, elder like to be heard  and let them know you appreciate their advice.  

Tip 5: Everyone of us has a story and our Elders have many stories to be told. They love to talk about their life, their job, their travel, their friendship, their family moments, their struggle; give them ears and they will love you.  

Tip 6: Elders like when you give them compliment and when you admire them; tell them that they have made good contribution to family, they have made positive contribution to you and people around.  Appreciate them. 

Tip 7: Find out if your Elder or some Elder you know is in difficulty, offer them Help, Ask them if they need help in medication, grocery, utility payments, activity of daily living; this will help them to feel that they are not alone.   

Tip 8: There is nothing in this world better then enjoying meal together; sitting down and having tea, coffee, snack or meal together is excellent way of  socializing and bonding.  Have a 'Meal Date' with Elder and make that small meal chat, its Friendship between generation.  

Tip 9: We all love Celebration, whether its festivals, match, win or our special days, birthdays. Celebrate these Special days with your elders, either at home, planned holiday or hotels. Let them know they are not Forgotten. 

Tip 10: Due to ageing, ours Elders have specific needs, it can be while sleeping, seating; make them comfortable, be gentle to them, understand them and ask them if they need anything.   

Tip 11: It is always better to make person independent and not be over protective, Elders will need space, let them do things till they can. Make things easier for them. 

Tip 12: If you don't have your home nearby or your elder staying near you, its nice to reach out to elders in community, society, elder home, nursing homes, assisted living, dementia home, adult day care. Visit once a week or when ever you have time and spending meaningful time with elders through activities, events, picnics, recreation, entertainment; will only add life to years of these elders.  

At Silver Innings since 2008 we are working towards creating Elder and Dementia Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

Creative by Gayatri Patel - GGrafix360

Concept by #SilverInnings 

What is Ageing Process

 Ageing is a natural process that occurs in living organisms over time, characterized by a gradual decline in physiological function and an increased vulnerability to disease and death. It is a complex and multifactorial process influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Image copyright: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jc4yK0zZ-cQ/maxresdefault.jpg

At the cellular level, ageing is associated with a range of changes including a decrease in cellular energy production, accumulation of damage to cellular components such as DNA, and altered gene expression. These changes can lead to a variety of age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia.

While ageing is an inevitable part of life, there are things that individuals can do to promote healthy ageing, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, reducing stress, and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Researchers are also exploring various interventions and treatments aimed at slowing down or reversing the ageing process.

Ageing is the process of growing old or maturing, which involves a gradual decline in the functioning of various physiological systems in the body. This decline is a natural and inevitable part of the human life cycle and affects everyone as they grow older. Ageing can be characterized by changes in appearance, such as wrinkles and gray hair, as well as changes in physical and cognitive abilities. Some of the factors that contribute to ageing include genetic factors, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and other external factors. While ageing is a normal and expected part of the human life cycle, it can also increase the risk of certain health problems and chronic diseases.

Music and dance good for Senior Citizens

Why we started UMANG Senior Citizens Talent Show since 2008, our goal is not only to provide platform/ opportunity to showcase their hidden Talent but to also promote Active Ageing. ❤️

Music and dance have been linked to improved physical and mental health in older adults. Studies have shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain, as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. 

Participating in the arts, such as music and dance, has been shown to have positive effects on cognitive function, memory, self-esteem, and social interaction.

Research has also found that dance can have a positive impact on brain health, particularly when it involves learning complex patterns or movements .

Additionally, a one-week dance residency program has been developed to help older adults stay active and engaged.

Overall, music and dance can be beneficial for healthy and active aging. It can help to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, and promote social interaction.

#SeniorCitizens #SeniorCitizen #SilverInnings #UMANG2023 

UMANG 2023 - India’s Largest Stage Talent Show for Senior Citizens

UMANG 2023 is presented by Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point, Rotaract Club and Inner Wheel Club of Mumbai Nariman point in association with Silver Inning Foundation, NGO working with Senior Citizens.

UMANG’ a Unique Talent show of Senior Citizens is being organized by Silver Inning Foundation since 2008.

We at Silver Innings believe “Ageing is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength” – Betty Friedan.

USP about this unique event is that Participant and Audience do not belong to any particular organization, NGO or group. People from different part of Mumbai from Virar, Thane, Navi Mumbai to South Mumbai came to witness and perform the ageless talent.

This year UMANG 2023, is biggest ever Senior Citizens Stage Talent Show, this time total 170 Performers are presenting 21 Performance - breaking all previous years record. Total 1000 people will witness the Silver Magic

Event Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 Event Time: 9am to 12.30pm Venue: Birla Matoshree, New Marine Lines, near Bombay Hospital, Mumbai.

Entry through Invitation only. Registration is mandatory.

Our Networking Partners are: HelpAge India OYA - Open Your Arms Sophia College, Mumbai Nirmala Niketan Senior Citizens Alumni Association, The Federation of Senior Citizen's Organisations of Maharashtra (FESCOM) and Photomist.

Email: silverinnings@gmail com

Website: https://silverinnings.in/

#umang2023 #seniorcitizens #SENIORCITIZEN #Silverinnings #oldage #mumbai #talent #talentshow

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 Report

This year due to Corona Lockdown, WEAAD could not happen on ground, but we tried Innovative ONLINE Global event.

It was one of most successful event, hundreds of people of different age group, across globe from different country - India, Nepal, Africa, Australia, USA, South America, Europe participated with enthusiasm in this unique Online event, Posing with Purple Dot, creating awareness and raising voice against Elder Abuse. They posted Photo's with Purple Dot on all Social Media Platform including - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, ,Linkedin.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

How did this happen ?  Our INPEA active member Sailesh Mishra from India who is social media expert came with idea to involve all age and gender people across globe with mass reach out, the whole program revolved around Two Hastag #StandWithOlderPersons AND #PurpleDotChallenge. Susan Somers - Inpea President and Ellen Graham- Secretariat Coordinator of Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, approved the idea with deliberation. 

A hashtag, is sign #, is a type of metadata tag used on social networks such as Twitter and Instagram and other microblogging services. It lets users apply dynamic, user-generated tagging that helps other users easily find messages with a specific theme or content.

Some of photo's and images have been captured by Google search:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%23PurpleDotChallenge&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBD_enIN874IN874&sxsrf=ALeKk00S8WnfZ0p5gJmVHe9Tgx8Fv5rdWQ:1603339916100&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP0JzRqsfsAhVDzjgGHY1_BeUQ_AUoA3oECAQQBQ&biw=1366&bih=625

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Please find below content and image that was used for successful Program: 

  

We #StandWithOlderPersons and accept #PurpleDotChallenge to raise Awareness and Prevention of Elder Abuse.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

INPEA wants social media users to post a picture of a #PurpleDot on their palm or any other place or paper and express their thoughts about Elder Abuse, Awareness, Stigma and Prevention.

INPEA has created a separate hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons to take a strong stand on Elders issues. Accept the Purple Dot Challenge and post it on your social media handles with hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons and #PurpleDotChallange

So friends let’s #StandWithOlderPersons and send your Purple dot challenge pictures with your thoughts on our / post social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

This Challenge is open from 1st June to 30th June. 

We will also post your support on our all social media accounts.

You can also forward us your pictures through E-mail at silverinnings@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 91+ 9987104.....

Creative Support by Web Solutions India.

Thanks to all for your support 

How to Help Senior citizens during Lock-down for Corona Virus ?

How you can Help #Seniorcitizens during Lockdown for Corona Virus ? 

A guide by #Silverinnings for Pan India

Senior citizens 60 plus are vulnerable to viral attack due to low immunity and underline Health condition like Diabetes, Cardiac, Vascular etc, due to this they will be homebound.

Senior citizens might not be in condition to move out or have mobility issues.

So we as responsible citizens, as Community can come together and give helping hand to our Elders.



Following are some ways you can help Senior citizens:

No need to think big

Form small local groups, in your housing society or locality / community of like minded people

Find out Where are these Senior staying ? Are they with family or alone ?

Try to find out what they need - cooked food, ration, finance, medicines, drinking water, health checkup, utility services like paying bills, banking, counseling, sanitizer, mask, house help, plumbing, electrician, Internet, email, spiritual, entertainment, recreation, communication, tax payment, repair, companion, help for pet etc

Some might just need a phone call sometime, someone to chat with

Divide responsibility / task among your group members

Arrange for resources like money, team members, grocery shop, vehicle etc

When you go and visit any Senior do remember you wear protective gear for Corona like Mask, gloves, sanitizer

They might get bored up staying home - for this evolve some meaningful activities - learning new skills, reading, music, yoga, fitness etc

Try to give a ID or badge to each of your member - for security reason

After providing the required service, do a follow up visit, if they are happy or if they need something more

Keep record of your Team members and Seniors you have enrolled

You may also contact a local NGO for more outreach or help

You may contact your housing society committee and Senior citizens association in your area

It will be good to take help from government authorities like Municipal corporation and Police

Your small act of kindness will save our elders, and will add Life to their years.

One day we all will grow old.

Let's together fight and defeat Corona.

Let's spread love for humanity .

For more information write to silverinnings@gmail.com

Please do share if you feel so

#CoronaWarriors

Published on Social Media on 22nd March 2020 

You are 60 plus and your children's are in another country / city, Will you relocate ?

On July 5th 2018 we posted this important question on Facebook and we got various comments, which we thought are not only interesting but also shows change in mindset of traditional Indian / Asian Ageing population.

The Question we asked:  

You are 60 plus and your children's are in another country / city, they can't come and stay with you, But they ask you to come and settle with them, What will you do ?

Following Comments / Answers we got: 
Susan Dmello Barton or just maybe your kids who are abroad can find solutions and caregivers in YOUR OWN HOME IN India... they financially stand by you and visit often so win win for all.

Nidhi Raj Kapoor Good question and great conversation here. You should do a study and compile the findings. I would love to hear more.

Rajeshwar Devarakonda Sailesh Mishra Apt question. In my case, the child - me, relocated. I tried and then understood that the parents too have their social life and to expect them to make yet another sacrifice and become yet another object in your house is inhuman.



Sailesh Mishra I posted above question as this is one of most discussed among seniors. But I never thought, next day I will get this sad news... Like one of the answer when you try to relocate a Senior..... So this is new: USA woman, 92, kills son to avoid being sent into care home : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44707643

Vanita Kumta This is where having a heart to heart conversation and abstaining from imposing ones point of view over another could perhaps have been helpful to avoid a sad incident.

Bernadette Ferrer Sailesh Mishra, the article reported is an isolated incident. The mindset of US white folks are Selfish and Narcissistic. Do not Ever compare with their mindset with ANY ASIAN whose embedded culture revolves around family!
Second, the SON who was shot by his mother Did Not RESPECT his own mother's wishes to Stay Home. The Sons was Enabled by HIS family members & Girlfriend to FORCE his own mother to leave her comfort zone. Alternative solutions for his mothers5care exists...PAY FOR 24 HOUR Nurse or Caregivers!
Son was a Lemming!
I truly Suspect that the SON and Family members had a Hidden Financial Agenda.
Sailesh Mishra, you're seasoned enough to Discern cultural Mindsets!




Asha Uberoy No body wants to go and live in another country at this age. And remember a father can look after 10 kids. But 10 kids find it difficult to look after one father. It is the law of life. The water in the river keeps flowing forward. We must not, cannot blame our children or anyone else.
Bhavdeep Pandya We can always create ability to change.. greatest issue is people only change by force.
Bhavdeep Pandya I will go.. I am nearing 70 years


Vanita Kumta Firstly if one feels one can adjust to a new country at the age one has reached it is a good option,secondly one must have trust and faith in them only then,thirdly as long as one feels able to take care of ones needs independently it is worthwhile staying put,or resorting to assistance or joining an assisted living facility or a senior citizens home that suits ones needs financially. Most importantly one needs to keep on going on as far as possible,with a positive outlook and not succumb to the growing pressures around. It is a difficult situation and a level headed choice is necessary. Remaining as active as possible,without stretching out ones hands in desperation,yet asking and taking help when needed is imperative.

Vanita Kumta From real life instances I have seen ,I know seniors who have no children and lose their partner,I have also seen seniors who have children often living in India in the same city,yet at the crucial hour they are not in a position to reach out to their aged parents due to official engagements. All said and done life is unpredictable. It does not follow any book. One needs to actively accept everything 100% however unpleasant . Having said that it is necessary to have a plan of action worked out between the couple whilst they are both living,taking the children too into confidence. The problem more often than nought is that communication and discussion on certain unpleasant ,however obvious realities of life is often lacking or postponed for later. But unfortunately, ' Time And Tide Waits For No Man'.
Mohan Siroya Very sane advice.


Bina Umesh Raj Sharma I feel if at this age you can adjust and mentally prepated then one should go and stay with the children in India/abroad. The children will also be comfortable since the whole family is a one place unless they have an ulterior motive.


Bernadette Ferrer Your choice: Stubborn Self Independence versus You live by Their Rules of Their Home (Tables are turned..as children, they lived by Your Rules. As an elder parent, its pay back time ...hee heee)

Aileen Marques It will depend on what i feel, how I feel and why I feel... In terms of the choice of settling in a New place. In most cases i have handled senior citizens preferred the comfort of their house and neighbourhood in their silver years. they said they feel the urge to live life more independently.
Susan Dmello Barton I totally agree... the kids are always welcome to "visit" Also in this day and age you can monitor everything what with c.f. tv cameras and full time police cleared maids and home help... they enjoy their independence AND you are always welcome for visits and holidays etc... let's not take away their dignity.

Niraj Khedkar Something outside the question asked... With all due respect to all senior citizens:
Point is not who leaves his set life... Each life is earned with lot of effort... Kids aswell as parents... But Problem is something else...in India parents are so much emotional that they can't let there kids choose their life after 16/18yrs and accept it or not... Hence majority of parents never plan for their post retirement life... 
I am sure this generation already knows their kids are not going to take care of them... So they have already started saving and planning for post retirement life...
#healthyAging #postretirementplanning
#OnestopSolutionServices for all senior citizen needs Can be few solutions for such challenges


Mohit Sadh Just go ther for some time n check, if it's worth, otherwise come back n live here happily ever after


Aditi Misra Interesting responses! 
I think for me it’ll depend on a lot of things... my health / my finances/ my spouse!


Aseem Chandawarkar On Children
- Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, 
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, 
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, 
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, 
and He bends you with His might 
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, 
so He loves also the bow that is stable.


Umesh Gujjar Better to be in India with our Loved ones, even if one earns less (as compared to foreign earnings)


Niraj Khedkar Yes that action speaks a lot... No senior citizen wants to willingly go in a care home...


Doris Gomes I will go n spent sone time, esp because of my small grand kids...


वरिष्ठ नागरिक सेवा संस्थान It is difficult for parents to shift .

Ashok Maheshwari Never. I am Hindustani and at 80 crossed, I want to spend my allotted time in my own country.


Dileep Lad I will stay in My country. I am proud of my country भारत माता की जय

Adv Vidya Patil Very much right


Puneet Sunita Khurana I'd ask them to F... off!


Bhavdeep Pandya I will go n settle with my children


Amita Rs What about in olden days when people relocated from villages to town in search of better life? How did those older adults feel then when their children left them and the big farming lands behind for city jobs? Only some things have changed but rest of the issues remain same.


CA Hemant Damodar Mehta One has to choose with balanced mind .. to be useful to Society here in India or to spend life with son/daughter abroad depending your physical capacity and health.


We thank all for their views and opinion, this will help us to plan our Future.

Visit our website:  http://silverinnings.in/