Each month, we share highlights on how innovations and changemakers are shaping society for New Longevity.

 

  • The New Longevity BrAIn is here. A powerful AI tool created by Ashoka New longevity and Apurva.ai to unlock the collective intelligence of the global longevity ecosystem. Designed to bridge the Global North and South, the BrAIn connects the voices of social innovators, researchers, policymakers, and communities. Whether you are working on care, climate, health, sports, or lifelong learning, the BrAIn helps you uncover patterns, sharpen strategies, and deepen your systems thinking. Available in five languages and open to all. Start exploring and don’t miss the key BrAIn insight from July, featured at the end of this newsletter.

 

  • A new report by Think Global Health, titled Going Gray: National Aging Plans Gain Global Traction, reveals that 87% of the World Health Organization’s member states now have a national policy for healthy aging; a 14% increase since 2020. Countries like Chile, Costa Rica, and Malta are leading the way with integrated policies that address ageism, financial security, long-term care, and lifelong learning. The report encourages countries to shift from planning to action, ensuring older people can age with dignity and purpose. Read more.

 

  • Loneliness is a growing global health threat, raising the risk of early death by up to 32%, on par with smoking, according to the WHO Commission on Social Connection report. The report outlines practical actions for governments, schools, workplaces, and health systems to rebuild the social fabric and strengthen community ties. The Thrive Together Guide, developed by Ashoka - New Longevity and the Grandmother Collective, offers hands-on tools to strengthen intergenerational bonds and foster social connection across communities, schools, and workplaces.

 

  • Intergenerational living is proving to be a powerful antidote to loneliness and rising housing costs. At Humanitas in the Netherlands, university students live rent-free in a nursing home in exchange for spending time with older residents sharing meals, conversation, and companionship. The model strengthens mental well-being and bridges generational divides. In Spain, Kuvu is advancing this approach by pairing older adults with younger tenants, offering affordable housing while reducing isolation. Read more.

 

  • Connected care is transforming how we age at home, and the Milken Institute’s latest report highlights why it is important now. The report details six clear steps to scale connected care, from developing sustainable payment models to co-designing technology with caregivers and older adults. In the Netherlands, Ashoka Fellow Jos De Blok is leading the shift through Buurtzorg, a home care model that delivers person-centred support, cutting costs and reducing the need for formal care settings. The model is also featured in a Harvard Business School case study for its impact and scalability.

 

  • New York State’s first-ever Master Plan for Aging - a roadmap to help older adults age with dignity, independence, and the support they deserve. The plan includes more than 100 proposals developed through collaboration across sectors. It focuses on priorities like affordable housing, caregiving, local services, and digital access. New York’s aging population is growing fast and is expected to surpass 5.3 million by 2030. This plan positions the state as a leader in building systems that work for all ages. Explore New York’s Master Plan for Aging.

 

  • What if midlife is not a crisis but a powerful time of transformation? In this energizing conversation hosted by What’s neXT 50?!, Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy, joins journalist Alison Smith to explore why midlife is the new frontier for purpose, reinvention, and connection. From age-fluidity to friendship as a wellness practice, this talk offers bold insights for anyone navigating life’s second half. Join the conversation.

 

  • Two insightful articles: TIME magazine’s 2025 feature, "The Issue with Living Longer," discusses new, different stages. It reminds us that we are living through more complex phases without the systems to support them. To truly benefit from longevity, we need to invest in healthspan so those extra years are lived with strength, connection, and dignity. The Atlantic article The Psychological Secret to Longevity explores why time feels like it speeds up as we age. As we get older, routine and fewer new memories compress our sense of time. But we can slow it down by seeking meaning, embracing novelty, and being fully present. The key isn’t having more time - it’s using it with intention.

 

"Cogenerational leadership has created shared responsibility for the big picture, which is a huge relief to me after decades of holding the CEO job alone. It's less solidarity and more fun. And it's given me the time and space needed to achieve a healthier work/life balance, which is something I admire younger leaders for prioritising." – Marc Freedman founder of CoGenerate , reflects on the power of co-leadership across generations in a new study What Older Leaders Want and Don’t Want from Younger Allies.

What are we learning from the New Longevity BrAIn?

Each month, we ask the New Longevity BrAIn: What are people most curious about? We review the questions received, identify the top theme, and distill it into sharp, actionable insights. Here is what stood out this month:

1. How can we improve caregiving and eldercare, especially through community-led and fair-driven approaches?

  • Sustainable eldercare cannot depend only on families who are overwhelmed or systems that lack funding. When communities take the lead with trained volunteers, integrated care models, and people of all ages involved, care becomes easier to access, more personal, and rooted in local culture. In India, for example, Tata Trusts runs Loneliness Mitigation centres, Dementia Day Care centres, and Chai Masti centres that provide meals, health check-ups, and social activities to improve the quality of life for older adults, demonstrating how community-driven care can be both practical and dignified. At the same time, fair policies that support both older adults and their caregivers with things like pensions, caregiver breaks, and training are key to ensuring dignity and fairness. Together, these efforts help reduce loneliness, build stronger local connections, and create a care system where everyone is supported and included. Key-finding: Community-led and fair policies to support caregiving strengthen social fabric and enable healthy living and longevity.

Your Turn

What powerful social innovations around the world are promoting community-led care and shaping new policies to support caregivers? What solutions or models do you recommend? Share with us here