Rise in demand for trained caregivers

Home healthcare industry, which was in a fledgling state a decade ago, has received an accelerating push with a surge in the number of set ups offering round the clock services for senior citizens.

Almost 10 years ago, when Ravi Raghavan, a city-based industrialist was looking for a professional caregiver, to look after his 85-yearold father, he was left with limited options. His family doctor had recommended a nurse. 

However, Ravi realised she was ill-equipped to handle his father’s mood swings. However, today people like Ravi have a range of service providers, who offer round-the-clock nurses and nursing aid for the elderly. It was a similar experience that prompted Sharvesh Bulchandani, founder of Ashirwad Home Health care, to start an agency that provides a range of services for all those families looking for specialised care for their loved ones. 

He says, “When I was looking for nurses for my grandparents, I realised that those who came forward for the job weren’t qualified. I wanted to bridge the gap through Ashirwad.” Today, Ashirwad that is based in Ambattur, caters to the requirement of those in Chennai, with services relating to elderly care, post-operative care and special children care. 

 A report released by the United Nations Population Fund and HelpAge India suggests that India had 90 million elderly persons in 2011, with the number expected to grow to 173 million by 2026. 

Of the 90 million seniors, 30 million are living alone. Dr Annalakshmi, co-founder of ANEW, an organisation that trains nurses and nursing aid to serve as caregivers, says there has been a steady rise in the demand. 

“These are nuclear families and in most of these homes, both the spouses are working. They need professionals to take care of the elderly. We train them intensively for six months— three months at our centre and three months on the job at various hospitals,” she says. For a 10-hour shift, these nurses earn anywhere between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000 per month. The mixed clientele, such services are a huge boon for NRIs who are looking for a reliable care for their aging parents. 

NRI clientele: 

India Home Health Care, which began in 2009 has almost 60 per cent of its clientele in the spectrum of elderly care. Dr Anitha Arockiasamy, president of the organisation, says, “ On an average we see about 250-300 clients in the city, out of which 60 per cent are related to elderly care. Most of them in Chennai and Hyderabad have children settled abroad.” 

She adds that the growth has been beyond their expectations. Similarly, Dr Renuka David, wellness consultant, who runs Radiant Home Health Care, says that over the years she has seen an increase in the demand for nursing aid.“At least 70-75 per cent of her clients seek the services of such aid who are trained to handle the requirements of an elderly person. 

We provide them in two shifts and the nurses are also keen on such arrangements because there is no extra work burden,” she says. Protea Medical and Health heal are some of the other popular set ups that cater to the growing need for care for the elderly through a professional structure.