New Delhi, 15 March, 2024: Antara, an integrated service provider for all lifestyle and lifecare solutions for seniors, a part of the $4 bn Max Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) announcing a collaboration for senior specific offerings.
As per Antara, in recent decades, India has witnessed a notable increase in life expectancy due to improved living conditions and advancements in healthcare. Consequently, the proportion and size of the elderly population have risen steadily. Mobility associated disabilities are almost inevitable after attaining a certain age, followed by hearing and visual impairments.
Antara, recognising these concerns, has collaborated with IIT Delhi for research and offerings for seniors. This partnership will encompass diverse projects, ranging from mobility-assisting physical products to cognitive enhancement games aimed at delaying the onset of Dementia.
The collaboration includes knowledge transfer, research consultancy, EDPs, and the sharing of laboratories. It focuses on developing inclusive design solutions to enhance safety, independence, cognition, and communication issues for the geriatric population at large. One such project is designing a walking aid for the elderly.
According to Antara, extensive research, including surveys and interviews with elderly individuals, revealed that seniors prefer mobility aids that offer intermittent rest options. This insight led to the conceptualization of a new mobility aid, which will address such issues faced by seniors through inclusive design solutions.
While signing the MOU, Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean of Corporate Relations, IIT Delhi said “Addressing the needs of our senior citizens is crucial, and through this collaboration, it is aimed to create innovative solutions that enhance their quality of life. Mobility aid products not only provide physical support but also promote independence and confidence, enabling the elderly to maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services, “For Antara, this association is the natural progression towards offering comprehensive, quality solutions for seniors as it incorporates our learnings over the past decade. As the only integrated service provider for senior care, we have continuously evolved to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the seniors in India. This collaboration with IIT Delhi will help us leverage technology and R&D to co-create innovative relevant solutions to address the lifestyle and life care needs of seniors, empowering them to lead a life of dignity and autonomy.”