Targeting the silver economy

Ras Adiba checking out a vintage typewriter she received at the Senior Festival. With her are (from left) emcee Jennifer Palencia, Low and Jasmin.

Seniors now have their own app, launched to mark International Day of Older Persons.

The Amazing Seniors app was revealed during the three-day Senior Festival at Atria Shopping Gallery in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Amazing Seniors co-founder Datin Jasmin Amirul said the app aimed to connect seniors with service and product providers, together with programmes and activities.

“We aim to provide a platform where the elderly can come together and interact with others, both virtually and physically,” she added.

Amazing Seniors director and co-founder Penny Low said they created the platform to provide social support to those aged 50 and above.

“When I turned 50, I realised that I was growing old in a space that was not really designed for people my age.

“I wanted a world where seniors don’t fade into obscurity and to nurture a generation of old folk who celebrate and embrace ageing,” said Low.

Visitors to the festival undergoing basic health screening at one of the exhibition booths.

She noted that Malaysia was beginning to experience a shift towards a silver economy in which the number of consumers aged above 50 would grow rapidly.

As such, she said another primary goal for Amazing Seniors was to reassert senior citizens as a consumer class and highlight their potential.

“One of the reasons there is not a lot of focus on mature adults is because major corporations don’t see them as a viable market.

“With Amazing Seniors, we want to return that status back to older persons,” she added.

Senior citizens performing during the launch of the Amazing Seniors app at Atria Shopping Gallery, Petaling Jaya. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star

The festival titled “Life Begins At 50: The Celebration” hosted a variety of performances, fitness classes and exhibition booths.

Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, who was the guest of honour, said Malaysia’s older demographic was often ignored.

She emphasised that those in the senior age bracket were still an important part of society.

“People don’t talk enough about senior citizens.

“We are like a silenced group of people,” said Ras Adiba, who is 54.

She said seniors had much to share with the younger generation.

“We want a Malaysia that is more accessible to the elderly and the disabled,” she added.