Dr. Mrigna Nagraj, Founder, 50Plus
Assist
Could you introduce yourself to our
audience?
I’m Dr.
Mrigna Nagraj. My journey in healthcare began with my education in Brazil,
shaping my approach to patient care with a global perspective. In 2010, I had
the honor of being part of the medical team for the Commonwealth Games, an
experience that reinforced my commitment to high-performance medical care and
was recently part of the 2024 futsal world cup team.
With over a
decade of experience in elder care, I have dedicated my career to enhancing the
well-being and quality of life for older adults. My work focuses on providing
compassionate, evidence-based care, ensuring that aging is met with dignity and
support. I’m passionate about continuous learning and integrating innovative
approaches to improve healthcare for seniors.
Could you provide a brief overview
of your venture 50 plus assist, their services, and what inspired you to start
this business?
50PlusAssist was born from a deeply personal journey. Witnessing my grandmother’s
struggle with dementia and being closely involved in her care opened my eyes to
the glaring gaps in elder care in India. It became evident that we are
ill-equipped to provide the specialized support seniors need, particularly in
areas like cognitive well-being, companionship, and home management. This
realization fueled my commitment to step in and create a meaningful difference.
Our mission
at 50Plus Assist is to ensure that aging adults receive compassionate,
comprehensive, and dignified care in the comfort of their homes.
Our Specialties
●
Intellectual Companionship – Engaging seniors in stimulating
conversations and activities that promote mental and emotional well-being.
●
Dementia Care – Providing specialized care for individuals with
dementia, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued.
●
Home Management – Assisting with everyday tasks to help seniors
maintain independence and a comfortable living environment.
At 50Plus
Assist, we go beyond basic caregiving—we foster meaningful connections, bridge
critical gaps in elder care, and empower families to provide the best for their
loved ones.
Celebrating A Decade of
Compassionate Elder Care
Next month,
we proudly celebrate 10 years of dedicated service in elder care. This
milestone is a reflection of our passion, perseverance, and the trust families
have placed in us over the years. As we step into the next decade, our
assurance to enrich the lives of seniors remains stronger than ever.
Could you walk us through your
educational background and professional trajectory, and also elaborate on your
current role and responsibilities?
I graduated
from Subharthi medical college and moved to Brazil for my higher education. My
journey in elder care began with a pioneering organization in India where I
worked as an elder care specialist. That experience laid the foundation for my
understanding of senior care needs in India. Ten years ago this month, I took
the leap to start 50Plus Assist, and it has been an incredibly rewarding
journey ever since.
Currently,
my focus is on the growth and expansion of the business—bringing in new clients
while ensuring we retain the trust and satisfaction of those we already serve.
This means refining our services, strengthening our team, and constantly
innovating to meet the evolving needs of seniors and their families.
Despite the
push for growth, I remain deeply invested in every senior we work with. Elder
care is personal, and at 50Plus Assist, we prioritize individual attention for
each client. As we scale, maintaining this personalized, compassionate approach
remains our top priority. For me, success isn’t just about numbers; it’s about
ensuring that every senior under our care feels valued, supported, and truly at
home.
What are your key areas of expertise, and what skills are essential for success in geriatric care?
With team and seniors at Kiran Nadar Museum of Art after a hands-on workshop
Success in
the field of elder care requires a blend of medical knowledge, leadership
skills, and deep empathy for seniors. My expertise has been shaped by years of
hands-on experience and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older
adults.
What It Takes to Succeed in
Geriatric Care
●
A deep sense of patience and emotional resilience
●
Strong communication skills to interact with seniors, families,
and caregivers
●
A commitment to continuous learning in aging-related health
challenges
●
An ability to personalize care while scaling a business in elder
care
At its
heart, geriatric care is about dignity, respect, and ensuring that aging is a
fulfilling journey. Those who succeed in this field are not just caregivers or
specialists—they are advocates for the elderly, committed to making a tangible
difference in their lives.
What are your long-term goals for 50
Plus Assist, and what has been the most fulfilling aspect of your journey as a
Geriatric Care Consultant and Founder to date?
At 50Plus
Assist, our vision extends beyond just providing care—we aim to make quality
elder care accessible to all. Currently, access to specialized senior care is
often limited to major cities, leaving many older adults in smaller towns
without adequate support. Our long-term goal is to expand into tier-two and
tier-three cities, ensuring that seniors across India receive the dignity,
companionship, and medical attention they deserve, no matter where they live.
We believe
that elder care should not be a privilege but a fundamental right. By growing
our reach, training more professionals, and developing scalable yet
personalized care models, we hope to bridge the existing gaps in senior care
services across the country.
One of the
most rewarding parts of my journey has been witnessing the impact we have on
the lives of seniors and their families. A moment that has stayed with me is a
conversation with an 80-year-old former gynecologist we work with. She once
told me:
"During
my time, if I had the option to be an elder care specialist, I would have
chosen that as a career."
Hearing this
from someone who dedicated her life to medicine reinforced how vital and
meaningful elder care truly is. It’s more than just a service, it’s a
profession rooted in compassion, dignity, and purpose. Moments like these
remind me why I started this journey and fuel my commitment to making a lasting
difference in the field of geriatric care.
What achievements in your career are
you most proud of, and how have they shaped the direction of 50 Plus Assist?
Journey in
elder care has been driven by a passion for making a real difference in the
lives of seniors. Over the years, 50Plus Assist has grown into a trusted name
in the industry, and some of our most significant milestones include being
recognized as one of the Top 10 Elder Care Companies in India by Silicon India
Magazine – a testament to our commitment to quality care and innovation in
senior services and Running a COVID-19 Support Hotline with over 2,000
volunteers, helping seniors navigate one of the most challenging times in
recent history. At its peak, our team handled more than 1,400 distress calls a
day, providing medical assistance, emotional support, and logistical help to
those in need.
These
achievements are not just professional milestones but deep personal victories.
They reflect the impact we have made in the elder care space and inspire us to
continue striving for excellence, accessibility, and compassion in everything
we do.
As a mentor in the geriatric care
field, what advice would you give to those looking to pursue a career in
elderly care or related industries?
For anyone
considering a career in elder care, my biggest advice is this: only step into
this field if you are truly passionate about working with seniors. Geriatric
care is not just a profession—it’s a calling that demands deep empathy,
patience, and commitment.
Caring for
the elderly comes with unique challenges. It requires emotional resilience, the
ability to listen and adapt, and an unwavering dedication to their well-being.
There will be difficult days, but the impact you make on someone’s life—whether
it’s through companionship, medical support, or simply making them feel
valued—makes it incredibly rewarding.
If your
heart is in the right place, this field will give you fulfillment like no
other. Watching a senior regain confidence, feel heard, or live comfortably
because of the care you provide is an experience that stays with you forever.
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