The Rising Need for Elderly Care in India

India is experiencing rapid growth in its elderly population over the age of 60. According to United Nations population projections, the number of Indians aged 60 years or over is expected to grow from 103 million in 2011 to 323 million by 2050. This demographic shift poses enormous social and economic challenges for India where families have traditionally cared for older relatives. Research shows nearly 70% of elderly Indians rely on their families for care in their old age. However, societal changes like migration of children away from parents for jobs and education means the family support system is breaking down. This has resulted in more elderly Indians living alone or in old age homes with little familial support.

Lack of Adequate Elderly Care Facilities

Despite the growing need, India Geriatric Care Service lags far behind in developing quality elderly care services. There are only around 800 old age homes in the country catering to a tiny fraction of the elderly population in need of institutional care. Most of these facilities are understaffed and lack necessary healthcare provisions. They are often run on charitable donations with little government support and oversight. Dedicated elderly care centers, nursing homes, assisted living communities and home healthcare services are scarce even in major cities. The few premium facilities charge hefty fees making them unaffordable for most. This has left millions of elderly Indians without access to basic care, leaving them vulnerable in their old age.

Most Elderly Indians Can't Afford Private Care

The lack of social security and pension for a large section of informal workers means many elderly Indians barely have funds for their sustenance, let alone pay hefty private care fees. A 2017 study found 61% of elderly lived on income of less than Rs. 5000 per month mainly through children’s support or meagre state pension. Regular household expenses itself consume much of this limited income leaving little tonothing for healthcare or assisted living costs. Private nursing homes and elderly care communities often charge over Rs. 15,000-25,000 per month making them financially out of reach. Even basic homecare services including caregivers are unaffordable for most elderly given the high cost averaging Rs. 8000-12,000 per month.

Need for Govt Policy and Investment in Elderly Care

There is a compelling need for the Indian government to form a coherent elderly care policy and increase budgetary support. Developing a universal pension scheme has been promised for years but implementation remains limited. Expanding coverage of existing Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and Atal Pension Yojana is an urgent requirement. The government must set up more affordable public old age homes, day care centers and expand telemedicine access to serve semi-urban and rural elderly. Public-private partnerships can help set up satellite elderly care facilities attached to existing healthcare infrastructure. States should form streamlined regulatory guidelines and incentives for individuals and organizations looking to enter the elderly care sector. With proper policies and funding support, India's geriatric care sector has huge potential for growth to meet the needs of its aging population.

Role of Technology and Innovation

Technology and innovation also have a promising role to play in improving elderlycare accessibility and affordability in India. Telemedicine platforms leveraging mobile networks and smartphones allow quality healthcare consultations with specialists at much lower costs than in-person visits. Remote patient monitoring devices help track vital signs and enable aging-in-place. Assistive technology like fall detectors, smart home devices and wearables enhance independent living and safety. Startups are piloting affordable homecare packages including trained caregivers, medicine reminders and emergency response systems via app-based platforms. If incentivized and scaled, such innovations could help overcome financial and geographical barriers expanding care coverage even in remote areas.

Investing in the elderly care sector is vital not just from a humanitarian perspective but for long term economic growth as well. A healthy, cared for senior population means reducing the burden on overstretched public healthcare facilities. It enables productivity of working age citizens unburdened from full time eldercare responsibilities. Perhaps most importantly, it ensures dignity and wellbeing for those who built the nation now in their sunset years. The time for India to establish a robust elderly care infrastructure is now to prepare for the silver tsunami ahead. Concerted policy reforms and public-private cooperation hold the key to resolving this looming demographic challenge.

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