Category: Blogs

I am sure no one in the world would like to see their mothers being abandoned, destitute and helpless because of circumstances or otherwise, but unfortunately the other side of the coin has a different story to tell.

There are millions of elderly women who are still facing the brunt of societal discrimination and economic deprivation, it is those mother’s who need our maximum support.

The attached document “Innovative practices for Care of Elderly Women in India” which was prepared with support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Stree Shakti – The Parallel Force is a good read.

The aim behind the initiative was to promote the rights of ageing women and showcase effective models that are dedicated to restoring their dignity.

Though the report is slightly dated, however a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then, but that does not mean that the undercurrent is not flowing.

Women who are single, abandoned (‘half widows’) or widowed face multiple barriers due to illiteracy, malnutrition, abuse, isolation, ill health, lack of housing and exclusion from economic benefits are the ones who are always facing the blazing Sun. 

While the elderly face a number of challenges, the situation is worse for elderly women. 

Many women face bias and discrimination throughout their lives and most of the time they either succumb to it or do not raise their voices against it. 

The Global Report on Ageing in the 21st Century reinforces the observations made in India that older persons, particularly older women, experience multiple discriminations, including access to jobs and health care, abuse, denial of the right to own and inherit property, and lack of basic minimum income and social security.

While on one hand we are celebrating the growth story of India, in my opinion we should also ensure that the marginalized, underprivileged and those stuck with bad luck or circumstances should also be respected and included in the landscape of the country with due dignity and care. 

Since the Government cannot do everything on their own, hence concerned citizens, Civil Society and Corporate Houses under their CSR need to look at Elderly Care with the binoculars of Empathy, Respect, Responsibility and Concern.

The document can be accessed on UNFPA website or here.

Pankaj Mehrotra

John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,”, somehow his words made an impact to my outlook.

This snapshot of the Elderly Care Homes / Senior Citizen Homes, is my way of contributing to society. 

Since I was struggling to find the all India district wise statistics on senior care homes, I decided to compile the same myself.

In my opinion if any sector has to grow, then people need to share their learning for the larger cause. It is always better to share the knowledge and be of help rather than taking all the knowledge and learnings to the grave.

Though the data on senior citizen homes was/is not easily available and accessible, however I would like to thank the Senior Citizen Homes, District Magistrates, District Collectors who responded to my queries.

I personally feel the tides are changing for the better. India could become one of the most advanced countries in the world with a well developed Senior Care sector, provided we take corrective steps as of yesterday. Though it is still a long way to go but the next 10 years will surely see great progress.

I hope this snapshot of Assisted Living Homes / Care Homes can give some direction to the policy makers, decision makers, investors and concerned citizens.

It will be great to see that each district has one SCH which is recommended in the National guidelines. If educated people like us do not raise the issues on behalf of the underprivileged then who will??

Pankaj Mehrotra

It seems India market is gradually realising Senior Care as a growing sector. 

The number of Home Care providers and Care Home operators are increasing by the day. This means investors are seeing the Indian Seniors as the next target segment.

The term Old Age Home is slowly being replaced by Care Homes, Assisted Living and Retirement Homes, which is definitely a positive step in the right direction. For decades we were stuck with the taboo word Old Age Home, but now the awareness of independent living supported by care is the new norm.

Having seen the industry/sector grow from its inception stage, one of the learning is, there is still a visible divide in the level of senior care services. 

Most of the new companies are targeting the segment with purchasing capacity, which is but natural being in business, but my views are what are we doing for the underprivileged, poor and destitute??

Should we solely depend upon NGO’s or it is high time that the respective States start taking Elderly Care seriously.

The next 10 years will witness a major population boom of people above 60 years. The point of debate and implementation is are we prepared and heading in the right direction.

Pankaj Mehrotra

The Indian Senior Living Sector seems to be gradually shedding it’s negative image associated with the word Old Age Home.

I guess it’s been too long that society has been stuck with the assumed taboo linked with Old Age Homes or Vridhashram.

As the urban population realises the importance of Senior Citizen Care Homes, Assisted Living, Retirement Homes, Memory Care Homes etc, hence the demand for such facilities are slowly gaining traction.

It is not that as if Senior Living is a recent phenomenon, such homes have been around for centuries but unfortunately we all associated such places to be meant only for the poor, destitute and homeless older people.

As they say “only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches” the same holds true for senior living also. 

In earlier days, most of us used to look at Old Age Homes through the lense of pity and sympathy, however when we started requiring the same facilities for ourselves we want an image makeover and branding of the same facilities.

The rise of senior living market in India can be a tricky business, probably that is why private sector is focusing on the urban areas and the upper middle class segment.

Not everyone in India is blessed to be able to afford private Senior Living facilities hence it is important that government and CSR should do a deep dive to understand the volcanic needs of the rural and poor elderly before the boiling lava of Aged Care erupts, engulfs and destroys the social balance and fabric of welfare policies.

A recent report by JLL titled “The rise of senior living market in India” is attached for a quick read.

Like a typical consulting firm they have done a great job but unfortunately there is no mention, statistics or recommendation on how to address the Aged Care needs of 90 odd million elders who are living in the rural areas and the hinterlands of the country.

Pankaj Mehrotra

FY – 2021-2022
A budget of Rs.10,517.62 crore was allocated for the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for financial year 2021-2022.

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), formerly National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC) which is the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, was assigned a total budget for the welfare of Senior Citizens at Rs.533.81 crore for FY – 2021-2022.

Amongst other welfare schemes for the elderly, there was a proposal for grant to set up / fund existing or new 163 Senior Citizen Homes. The total budget allocation for funding new / existing residential facilities for senior living was Rs.55.09 crore for FY – 2021-2022.

FY – 2020-2021
A budget of Rs.8207.56 crore was allocated for the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for FY – 2020-2021.

In National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC) 2020-2021, the annual budget allocated was Rs.365 crore.

Amongst other schemes, there was a proposal for grant to set up / fund existing or new 250 Senior Citizen Homes. The total budget allocation for funding new / existing residential facilities for senior living was Rs.67.15 crore in 2020-2021.

The larger point of debate and concern is, where and which are the 163 and 250 Senior Citizen Homes for the FY 2021-2022 & 2020-2021?

How does the industry and concerned citizens get to know of the actual development / progress on the ground??

I hope this year’s budget allocation for Elderly Care is proportional to the population of Senior Citizens in the country. 

As the country moves towards a digital friendly format, it is important to have a transparent system of showcasing the amount spent from previous budgets and the progress / number of beneficiaries impacted.

Pankaj Mehrotra

Off late I have been receiving a lot of queries about Senior Living by Hotel Groups, Real Estate Developers and High Net worth Individuals.

My typical response to them is;

1) Senior Living is not a hotel business where the customer rents a room for a few days, here the residents are long stay family members and not customers.

2) If one is looking at this model like a typical startup and expecting the valuations to multiply in a short span then this is not the game they should play.

3) Companies should be willing to look at it as a long term opportunity in order to succeed.

4) This is a business which requires passion and empathy without them it won’t last long.

To give an idea of the overall business model, I have prepared a sample costing and revenue format. These costing are estimated figures and would differ from city to city.

While this takes care of the middle and upper middle-income groups but unfortunately the poor would have to depend upon the Government support.

I would be happy to incorporate relevant inputs and feedback.

Pankaj Mehrotra

Internationally Senior Living and Home Care is a well-developed sector/industry. Countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Europe and a few South Eastern countries have well defined laws and legislative acts which regulate the functioning of the sector.

India is also seeing a growth in the Aged Care sector but unfortunately there are no national standards and guidelines. As the elderly population is growing at a much faster pace as compared to the other age groups, it will become imperative and critical to bring all the existing and future senior care operators under the same umbrella.

I have made an attempt to compile the necessary intervention areas that require immediate attention. I hope that quality information and knowledge can be shared with all stakeholders by the concerned authorities and ministries.

I was searching for the list of Elder Care Homes in India. To my surprise, I could not find a single website which offers an accurate database in searchable format.

While on one hand, India is seen as the software hub of the world but unfortunately we don’t have a simple software.

I am sure it is not difficult to capture real time data on the facilities, services, charges and occupancy levels of 900 odd senior living facilities.

A project like this will help elders who are either homeless, destitute, isolated, neglected or facing abuse.

In-case anyone can help please forward this to companies under their CSR activity. A sample is being shared.

Pankaj Mehrotra

I was searching for the list of Elder Care Homes in India. To my surprise, I could not find a single website which offers an accurate database in searchable format.

While on one hand, India is seen as the software hub of the world but unfortunately we don’t have a simple software.

I am sure it is not difficult to capture real time data on the facilities, services, charges and occupancy levels of 900 odd senior living facilities.

A project like this will help elders who are either homeless, destitute, isolated, neglected or facing abuse.

In-case anyone can help please forward this to companies under their CSR activity. A sample is being shared.

Pankaj Mehrotra

Senior Living and Elder Care in India is going to witness an exponential growth in the next two decades. The new crop of urban Seniors would be financially sound and will be willing to spend on themselves, rather than leaving a legacy for their children. They would be technologically savvy and would be more demanding about the competence levels of service providers.

There is a great opportunity for Senior Care operators to explore the large market which consists of approximately 9% of the present population. At present the senior care market is largely unregulated, which in my opinion would start maturing with the introduction of National Standards & Guidelines. The chart presents the existing models and the scope of intervention in the Senior Living space.

Pankaj Mehrotra

Senior Living in India is witnessing a positive growth with various projects coming up across the country. Operators are experimenting with various formats ranging from Independent Living, Assisted Living to Specialized Care. Though some formats are popular amongst the private players due to their financial viability, however I feel that other non-revenue generating formats also needs to be developed.

An attempt has been made to identify and document the various senior living needs/ formats which is attached for reference. International operators looking at entering the Senior Living market in India or the Central / State Governments can evaluate these formats.

Pankaj Mehrotra