SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) | NITI Aayog
The APEC Best Practice Report (December 2025) titeld ‘APEC Digital Solutions and Technologies for Senior Citizens’ Connectivity and Healthiness’ addresses the urgent need for digital inclusivity as the Asia-Pacific undergoes a historic demographic shift. With older adults projected to reach 900 million by 2050 in the APEC region, digital solutions are no longer peripheral but central to ensuring dignity, health, and social connectivity.
Key strategic pillars identified in the report include:
Inclusive Digital Design: Implementation of “Older User Modes” and age-friendly hardware, such as Japan’s Raku-Raku smartphone, which features large fonts, simplified interfaces, and one-touch assistance.
Empowerment through Literacy: Scaling community-based and peer-to-peer learning models, such as Singapore’s Seniors Go Digital and the global GetSetUp platform, to build confidence and self-efficacy.
AI-Driven Health & Safety: Deployment of proactive tools like the CLOVA CareCall (AI voice check-ins) and Kami Vision (AI fall detection), which provide safety nets for seniors living independently without requiring complex technical skills.
Integrated Care Ecosystems: Utilizing modular platforms like Thailand’s Nirun to link caregivers, electronic health records, and IoT monitoring, thereby reducing workload and improving care quality.
Supporting the Support System: Leveraging digital tools to provide training and emotional respite for caregivers, who are often ageing themselves.
What is the “Older User Mode” in Mobile Apps? It is a standardized design specification—now mandated for over 3,000 apps in China—that provides an optional simplified interface. It features scalable text (up to 30 pt), high-contrast buttons (minimum 4.5:1 ratio), simplified 3-step navigation, and the strict removal of advertising pop-ups to reduce cognitive load and prevent accidental clicks or digital fraud for senior users.
Policy Relevance
India is at a demographic crossroads; while currently enjoying a demographic dividend, its 60+ population is projected to double to 346 million by 2050, making up roughly 20% of the population. The APEC insights provide a direct blueprint for India’s evolving National Policy for Senior Citizens (2025) and the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
Strategic Alignments for India:
Infrastructure & Accessibility: MeitY can adopt APEC-style age-friendly design mandates within the GIGW 3.0 (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) to ensure that the 300 million seniors expected by 2050 can access banking, pensions, and healthcare without barriers.
Scaling Digital Literacy: India can transition from short-term “camps” to institutionalized, community-led models like Singapore’s Digital Ambassadors, utilizing local networks such as ASHAs and Panchayats to provide one-on-one “last-mile” guidance.
Health Stack Integration: Lessons from Thailand’s Nirun can help integrate India’s Ayushman Bharat with the National Senior Health Card, creating a unified digital health profile for the 1.4 lakh functional Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Fostering the Silver Economy: Through the SAGE (Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine) portal, the government can incentivize startups to localize APEC best practices, such as AI companion robots and smart-home safety systems, specifically for India’s linguistically diverse rural elderly.
Follow the full report here: APEC Digital Solutions and Technologies for Senior Citizens’ Connectivity and Healthiness