Every month, we share highlights on how innovations and changemakers shape society for New Longevity. 

1. Social ties, Care and Connections 

  • In a powerful episode of The Diary of a CEO, Simon Sinek reflects on the meaning of friendship in an increasingly disconnected world. He discusses why he wrote a book about how we recognize and sustain true connection, making the case for friendship essential not just emotionally, but for how we age. Decades of research conducted by Harvard confirm that strong social bonds are among the most powerful predictors of longevity, shaping both how long and how well we live.  Listen now. 

 

 

  • A 2025 Harvard Business Review article highlights a growing reality: nearly 23 million working Americans are now caring for aging family members; outnumbering those caring for young children. As the population ages, the article calls on employers to adopt eldercare policies as standard practice, just like childcare. Companies that offer paid caregiver leave, flexible work schedules, and backup care report on higher retention and better workforce morale. Ashoka Fellows Laura Baena and Riccarda Zezza are championing this shift by reframing caregiving as a leadership asset, not a liability.  Learn more. 

 

2. The Longevity Workforce Revolution 

  • India has taken a bold step toward reproductive justice with a landmark Supreme Court ruling expanding maternity rights. As reported by the Indian Express, the Court affirmed that maternity leave is a constitutional right tied to dignity, privacy, and equality even for mothers seeking leave after a third child. While the Maternity Benefit Act limits the duration of leave based on the number of surviving children, the ruling makes it clear: population control norms cannot override a woman's right to recover from childbirth and care for her baby. This decision marks a pivotal moment for workplace equality and reproductive autonomy in one of the world’s most populous nations. Read more. 

 

  • Rising life expectancy and declining birth rates are redefining what growth looks like, as outlined in the World Economic Forum’s new article on the longevity economy. With retirement periods doubling and global populations aging fast, traditional pension models and workforce structures are under strain. But this shift also unlocks opportunities. Societies that modernize retirement systems, embrace flexible work, and support older workers through lifelong learning and caregiving infrastructure can turn demographic change into a strategic advantage. As the longevity economy grows, investing in intergenerational resilience and productivity will be essential. Read more 

 

 

 

3. Dementia and Financial Security 

  • In 2021, 57 million people had dementia worldwide, over 60% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Bill Gates shared a personal essay reflecting on his father’s experience with Alzheimer’s and the progress made since in the development of new drugs and early detection tests. These are hopeful signs, but he warns that continued progress depends on strong public support and funding. Learn more.  

 

  • One of the biggest challenges faced by people with dementia and their families is financial mismanagement, which often begins years before diagnosis. AARP’s new BankSafe Dementia Hub equips banks and credit unions with tools to recognize early warning signs, intervene compassionately, and protect vulnerable clients. The hub builds on findings from the AARP and MIT AgeLab report, Before the Diagnosis: Dementia’s Early Financial Toll, which reveals that missed payments and declining credit scores can appear up to six years before diagnosis, and median household wealth can drop by more than half in the eight years prior. With dementia on the rise, the BankSafe Dementia Hub helps financial institutions play a frontline role in safeguarding both dignity and resources. Learn more. 

 

4. A Global Shift in perspective  

  • Aging populations are often viewed as an economic burden, but a growing body of evidence tells a different story. The latest International Monetary Fund Article, The Longevity Dividend by Andrew Scott and Peter Piot highlights how older adults are already significant contributors to economic growth. As longer lives become the norm, the real challenge lies in adapting our systems from health care to employment—to enable people to thrive in later years. This perspective aligns with insights from The Longevity Economy by Joseph F. Coughlin, which underscores the economic and social potential of older adults and calls for innovation to meet their evolving needs. Investing in prevention, age-inclusive work environments, and lifelong learning are essential for unlocking the full potential of an aging population. Championing this shift, over 100 Ashoka Fellows around the world are leading innovations that make societies longevity ready. Learn more. 

 

  • As global populations age, older adults face compounding inequities from gender pay gaps to age-based discrimination, especially within LGBTQ+ communities. A recent article by the Human Rights Funders Network urges philanthropy to apply an ageing lens to human rights work, following the UN Human Rights Council’s endorsement of a new convention on older persons’ rights. In Spain, Ashoka Fellow Federico Armenteros is responding to these challenges through Fundación 26 de Diciembre, creating inclusive, intergenerational spaces for LGBTQ+ seniors to lead, connect, and thrive. The article calls on funders to invest in age-inclusive care, pensions, and older-led advocacy, recognizing older adults not just as beneficiaries, but as agents of equity, climate justice, and civic inclusion. 

 

“Longevity readiness is not about redesigning the world for older people. It's about redesigning the world so that longer lives are healthy and fulfilling at every stage." 
- Laura Carstensen, Director, Stanford Center on Longevity 

 

Your Turn 

What if ageing were seen as a powerful force for change? Longevity: A New Way of Understanding Ageing in India changes the perspective, showing us, how older adults are reshaping communities and why building age-ready systems benefits us all. Download the report now.