With failing health, quantum growth in the 80+ year segment (by 500%) and their increased predisposition to non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart diseases & cancer; there is a rise in dependency ratio (from 10.9% in 1961 to 14.2% in 2011) amongst the elderly requiring health, care and support. With increasing breakdown in the joint family system accentuated by an increasing migration of young family members from smaller cities to larger cities and from larger cities to foreign countries in search of job; the traditional support & care system is fast disappearing in our modern cities. This is leading to an elderly caregivers’ crisis in our tier I & II cities with the demand for reliable Caregivers (who are trained & qualified and have undergone training under a standardized caregiving curriculum) far outstripping the current supply.

To meet this challenge, HelpAge India has been running geriatric caregivers training program since 2012 in association with its training & hospital partners. The Caregiver training Program is unique and innovative in itself – a blend of academic, soft-skills, practical classes & on the job training. Students are offered classroom training and they also get an opportunity to visit various old-age homes and hospitals to gain practical hands on experience. At the end of the course, students are offered free placement where they can earn a salary.