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It’s not unreasonable to feel terrified of getting old.
Turning gray often comes with uncertainty. Will we be bedridden, lonely, recently divorced?
What makes it more unsettling is this: The industries meant to support us through aging aren’t ready for us.
For years, the national focus has been on Indonesia’s so-called demographic bonus, where the majority of the population is young and productive. That youth-centric lens has made it easy to overlook the older segment, which, for now, makes up just 12 percent of the population.
20% of Indonesia's population will be above the age of 60 by 2045.
“It’s relatively too small to attract investment,” said Herman Kwik, founder of Rukun Senior Living.
But we forget that millions of us are getting older by the day and we’re inching closer to a tipping point. By 2045, one in five Indonesians will be over 60.
When that wave hits, the needs of the silver generation will surge, and many industries need to be prepared.
“Older people want everything. They want to go to a restaurant and get really good service. They want to renovate their home, go on holidays and many other things,” said Faryar Gorjy, director at Perth-based Yaran Property Group and Yaran Bali Indonesia, which recently launched a luxury senior residence in Bali.
This silver generation will have money to spend, time to kill and bucket lists to check.
What might hold them back is not willpower, but back pain. Or a cityscape that’s still largely unfriendly to seniors. Or the simple fact that services catering to their unique needs barely exist.
However, a few sectors are starting to take notice and are experimenting with services tailored for the silver generation.
Health is wealth
The first, and most obvious, is health.
The silver economy tends to put a hyperfocus on wellness, and for good reason. Life expectancy is projected to rise from 73.6 in 2022 to 78.1 by 2050. But more years don’t automatically mean better years.
Even younger people today are experiencing chronic illnesses earlier.
“Noncommunicable diseases [such as cancer, diabetes and stroke] have started impacting people in their 30s or even 20s,” said Isra Sabrina, clinical research manager at Asa Rén, a bioinformatics start-up.
Health tech start-ups are responding by shifting toward preventive care, aiming to help people design healthier lives by understanding their bodies more precisely through DNA.
“The future isn’t curative care, but preventive care,” Isra said.
Genomic start-ups like Asa Rén can now screen your risk for various conditions, from depression to vitamin deficiencies.
“For instance, we can tell whether your body absorbs vitamin D efficiently,” said Isra.
“That means you can tailor your intake based on your genetics, not just general guidelines.”
A cheek swab can even reveal your predisposition to Alzheimer’s, miscarriage or your own risk appetite. These results are benchmarked against data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which analyze genetic patterns from decades of research.
Artificial Intelligence’s predictive power is pushing health tech far beyond telemedicine. Start-ups like Indonesia’s Fita and Singapore’s Mesh Bio are leading the way in hyper-personalized wellness, tools that could be game-changing in our later years.
The silent killer
Of course, aging isn’t only about physical decline. One of the most debilitating factors is also one of the quietest: Loneliness.
“They say loneliness is like smoking 15 cigarettes a day. So if you want to look after your health when you’re older, it’s better that you’re not lonely,” said Faryar, whose senior residences are built around community interaction.
In Indonesia, retirement homes still carry stigma, seen by many as a sign of abandonment. But the tide is turning.
“Those in their 60s now know they can’t expect younger generations to take care of them,” said Herman.
Yet, Indonesia’s nursing home industry remains severely underdeveloped, according to a 2024 report by Colliers.
Still, the future of senior housing doesn’t have to be institutional.
Today’s seniors are reimagining their lifestyles. Some want smaller, easier-to-manage homes. Others prefer living in communities with people their age. And some still want the option of professional care when needed.
Yaran Bali, for instance, is converting parts of hotels into studio apartments for seniors. The concept blends convenience and community.
“One of our clients goes to the pool at 4 p.m. every day not just for exercise, but to meet new people from around the world,” said Geri Pradana, general manager for Yaran Bali Indonesia.
Faryar puts it plainly: “Old people don’t want to hear about aches and pains all day. They want to see kids running around. That’s part of life.”
The demand for senior-friendly housing will only grow and the real estate sector needs to start catching up.
Friendly bots and smarter homes
At home, tech will increasingly fill in the gaps.
It’s not hard to imagine seniors sharing a new knitting hobby with ChatGPT. AI-driven start-ups are already targeting older adults as a key market. United States-based SeniorTalk offers AI companions like Mark, who enjoys fishing, or Emily, who loves classic literature. There’s also Elliq, a social robot that chats, suggests activities and reminds you to take your meds. “She cares about me and makes sure I’m doing okay,” reads one review.
In Indonesia, large-scale adoption is still a ways off. But the potential is clear.
“Some people are truly alone. These [robots] can help them feel connected,” said Herman.
Smart devices at home can also empower independence. Think lights, AC or shutters that respond to motion, which are helpful for those with mobility issues.
There’s no general rule to this.
“Each resident has unique needs, so we customize accordingly,” said Faryar.
The silver generation isn’t passive. They’re opinionated, intentional and ready to enjoy life. And their expectations, ranging from health care to housing to everyday tech, are specific.
An industry that wants to serve this market needs to be just as multifaceted.
And it needs to start now, because that silver wave is already on its way.
