1>>
Lack of adequate care for senior citizens is a real issue in India that cuts across economic and social strata. Many of us have personally lived through and experienced it with our parents and elders. Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need. As a result, they compromise on their needs and lifestyle. Their children or caregivers are forced to spend disproportionate time, and/or resources to support them. So much so, that many women are forced to stay away from the workforce to take care of elders at home. The imminent demographic, economic and social changes that accompany the growing population of senior citizens, together with the rising aspirations of the young, leading to more women in the workforce, are rapidly driving up the magnitude of this problem.
lack of = 没有，缺乏，不足，不够
adequate = 充足的，适当的
senior citizens = 老年人
cus across = 超越（分界）
strata = 阶层
elder = 老人
compromise on = 在……上妥协，让步
caregiver = 照料者，护理者
disproportionate = 不成比例的
imminent = 即将来临的，迫近的
demographic = 人口统计学的，人口学的
aspiration = 渴望，抱负
magnitude = 重要性，严重性
2>>
If we look at numbers, India is home to 115 million elderly, which is more than 8% of the population. Many of us don't realize it, but that puts India into the category of "aging' countries. While India's overall population will grow by about 40% from 2006 to 2050, the population of the oldest elderly, 80 plus, will grow 500 % over the same period. This should be enough to make one take notice. Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country. Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.
category = 范畴
overall = 全部的，全体的
take notice = 注意
engage with = 与…接洽，与……打交道
3>>
Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent. But there has been very little effort to provide products and services. The reasons for such apathy, especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess. Many feel that the elderly are cynical, not open to experiment and not willing to spend. Investors see bigger opportunities for exponential growth in addressing young, upwardly mobile consumers. Still, I'm left with the question of why aren't more products and services designed for the elderly? I sense a problem looking for a solution.
attempt = 企图，试图，尝试
address = 处理，解决
sporadically = 零星地；偶发地
poignant = 深刻的，感伤的
apathy = 冷漠
entrepreneur = 企业家
cynical = 愤世嫉俗的
experiment = 实验，试验
exponential = 指数的
upwardly = 向上地
Exercises:
1. The author seems puzzled because he sees an opportunity that isn't being addressed.
2. In which sector do investors see a big opportunity for growth?
>> young, upwardly mobile consumers
3. What sector of India's population will grow the fastest between 2006 and 2050?
>> those who are 80 or older
4. Social strata refers to layers of status within a society, such as upper an lower class.
5. A person has aspiration has hopes and dreams of reaching goals.
Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:
1. What haven't businesses done to address demographic?
>> But there has been very little effort to provide products and services.
2. Why do more women want to join the workforce?
>> The imminent demographic, economic and social changes that accompany the growing population of senior citizens, together with the rising aspirations of the young, leading to more women in the workforce, are rapidly driving up the magnitude of this problem.
3. Why do many elderly compromise on their needs or lifestyle?
>> Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need.
Fill in the blanks:
1. Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent.
2. While India's overall population will grow by about 40% from 2006 to 2050, the population of the oldest elderly, 80 plus, will grow 500 % over the same period. This should be enough to make one take notice. Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country. Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.
Put the sentences below in order:
(1) Many feel that the elderly are cynical, not open to experiment and not willing to spend.
(2) Investors see bigger opportunities for exponential growth in addressing young, upwardly mobile consumers.
(3) The reasons for such apathy, especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess.
(4) But there has been very little effort to provide products and services.
(5) Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent.
Correct Order: (5) (4) (3) (1) (2)
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.
2. This should be enough to make onetake notice.
3. There is a growing opportunity to provide products and services to the elderly.
4. Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need.
5. If we look at numbers, India is home to 115 million elderly, which is more than 8% of the population.
6.The author thinks there is a significant business opportunity.