Lifelong learning boosts cognitive health for India’s elderly

About 19,500 Indians turn 60 every day, and by 2046 the 60-plus population will outnumber those aged 0-14, The Hindu reports. The newspaper notes that healthy life expectancy in India lags behind overall life expectancy by nearly 11 years, meaning the average Indian spends their final decade with chronic illness.

Lifelong learning builds cognitive reserve, helping the brain cope with age-related damage and preserving memory and conversational skills, The Hindu says. The report highlights that women face greater hurdles due to financial dependence and caregiving duties, and favours flexible formats like online communities such as GetSetUp India. The article stresses that real-life shared learning through workshops or groups adds vitality to later years.