Costs Associated With Elderly Care in India

Life’s relentless march tends to pull us away from our roots, sometimes even across seas and borders. Sadly, this means leaving behind our elderly parents, their faces silently asking for our presence. This distance weighs heavily, filling us with guilt and concern for their health.

As they stand at the twilight of their years, vulnerable and longing for our presence, we are equally yearning for the peace of mind that they are well and happy. It’s within this battle of distance and duty that elder care services in India come into the picture, hoping to bridge that gap.

However, the reality of elder care costs in India—a complex maze of financial commitments and a bewildering array of services—often leaves families feeling lost in the shuffle. Our goal is to ease your journey, offering clarity on the spectrum of elder care solutions and costs, along with sharing tips to ensure your parents receive the care they deserve.

Why Families Should Have an Elder Care Plan

“It takes a village to raise a child,” and similarly, our elderly parents, transitioning back to a phase of dependence, need your care and attention. Regardless of where you are, an elder care plan acts as your contribution to that village, ensuring their well-being and dignity are preserved.

Here are a few reasons why you should have an elder care plan in place:

Understanding the Emotional and Physical Needs of Aging Parents

With old age, our parents tend to face a number of health issues. From something simple like mobility issues and difficulty in managing daily tasks to something more complex like severe heart conditions, paralysis, different kinds of dementias, and so on.

And not just that. Emotional well-being also becomes a crucial priority for our aged parents as our absence may make them experience feelings of loneliness or depression.

If you’re not present around your parents to witness their daily lives and gradual deterioration, it’s difficult to fully understand the depth and complexity of their needs and illnesses. 

This gap in understanding and care can be significantly bridged by having dedicated elder care professionals with your parents. As professional caregivers, they are equipped to provide the necessary support and assistance and serve as your eyes and ears, offering regular updates and insights into your parent’s condition.

Anticipating Future Health Issues

It’s fairly common for seniors to encounter new health issues as they age. Therefore, it’s critical for us to anticipate and prepare for their future health challenges.

This proactive stance helps prepare for unexpected health challenges, aligning care strategies with any potential development. It’s also about being one step ahead. An elder care plan for your parents ensures that you and your parents can adapt to any curveball life throws at you. 

Maintaining Independence and Dignity

Research by Frontiers in Psychiatry highlights that dignity in older adults significantly intertwines with their independence, alongside aspects like social inclusion and recognition of their identity. Essentially, it means that feeling valued, respected, and having a sense of belonging are as crucial to them as their physical health.

A comprehensive and holistic elder care service can support your aged parents’ physical, emotional, and social needs, thus making them feel valued and confident about their rightful place in society.

For instance, at Samarth Eldercare, the focus on assisting with technology enhances seniors’ independence by easing their daily tasks and connecting them with their communities, embodying the essence of dignified aging.

Financial Planning for Care Expenses

As our parents age, many of the regular things they do start to become challenges. For instance, finances. Something that happens very normally might now need more help. Getting along with these changes requires understanding, patience, and a plan.

Another crucial elder care service is financial planning, which ensures that your loved ones can access the care they need without compromising their financial security. Families can create a safety net that supports their parents’ health and well-being by exploring options like personal savings, insurance, and government programs.

In India, elder care professionals highlight several government aid programs for senior citizens:

• National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): Health services
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: Aid for those in poverty
• Varistha Mediclaim Policy: Comprehensive health coverage
• Varishta Pension Bima Yojana: Financial support with a steady pension

Ensuring Peace of Mind

This is the overarching benefit of elder care services, which offer a comprehensive safety net for parents and reassure you of their well-being.

Elder care services like Samarth Eldercare provide a holistic approach to care, covering health, financial needs, and daily assistance, thus encouraging a serene environment for both elders and their loved ones. With a set of dedicated professionals offering support, you gain the comfort of knowing your parents are in caring and capable hands.

Essential Elderly Care Services and Associated Costs

Understanding elder care services and selecting the right options for your parents can be daunting due to the variety of services available. Hence, it’s important to first familiarize yourself with these services and their average costs in India. This will help you make more informed decisions that align with your parents’ needs and financial planning. Let’s break this down one by one:

Home Care Services

Home care services in India offer a comprehensive approach to elder care, allowing your parents to receive personalized assistance right in the comfort of their homes. These services can range from basic daily task assistance to more specialized medical care, ensuring that your parent’s needs are met across the full spectrum of care needs.

Typically, the average cost of these services in India ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 30,000 per month. Of course, the number can be significantly higher depending on the extent of services required.

At Samarth Eldercare, we exemplify a holistic model of home care services, providing emergency support, health and hospitalization assistance, verified nurses and attendants, and even help with daily conveniences like repairs, bill payments, and social engagement activities. This approach is designed to meet the needs of seniors better, ensuring safety, security, and improved quality of life through personalized emergency care.

Assisted Living

Assisted living provides a more structured environment where your parents can receive customized care within a community, ensuring their health and wellness needs are met. This strikes a balance, suiting those from relatively independent individuals with minor ailments to those needing extensive support.

The costs of assisted living range significantly from INR 25,000 to INR 250,000 per month, depending on its location (metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are more expensive than small towns), the services offered, and the level of care needed. 

Old Age Homes

Assisted living is more service-oriented and provides customizable care and support within a community. In contrast, old age homes can range from basic homes offering essential care and companionship to more comprehensive care homes. These facilities focus on providing a secure and supportive living space for seniors who may not require the intensive medical and personal care services typical of assisted living environments.

Like assisted living, the average monthly cost for an old age home depends on various factors. The range can be between INR 12,000 for a simple, basic old age home and INR 200,000+ for a more luxurious, high-end home.

Emergency and Safety Services

These services for your parents are crucial in ensuring immediate response to health emergencies or accidents. They typically entail 24/7 emergency call systems, on-call medical staff, medical emergency fund management, security measures, and other services tailored to your aging parent’s needs. Depending on the comprehensiveness of the selected service package, this service’s average monthly cost ranges between INR 5,000 and INR 20,000.

Mobility Assistance

This is crucial for seniors facing difficulties with movement, ensuring they can go about their daily lives safely and independently. This service encompasses support with walking, transferring from bed to chair, and using mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs. Mobility assistance is essential if your parents are prone to falls, a common cause of serious injuries among the elderly. While the cost for this service varies, it typically ranges from INR 8,000 to INR 20,000 per month, depending on the required support level and the service frequency.

Skilled Nursing Care

Skilled nursing care provides essential medical services. This care can range from monitoring vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate, managing medications, and providing wound care to more specialized services such as tracheostomy care and infusion therapy. Such comprehensive care ensures that your parents receive professional medical attention as needed.

The cost of skilled nursing care in India can vary widely depending on several factors, including the specific services required, the duration of care, and the location. However, a general range for 24-hour skilled nursing care starts from approximately INR 1,200 to INR 2,000 per day. 

Dementia Care

Dementia is becoming increasingly common among seniors. While the kind and severity may differ, dementia needs special care from elder care professionals. This personalized care ranges from assistance with daily activities like managing medication and meal preparation in the early stages to full-time care such as mobility support and continuous behavioral management in the advanced stages.

Each stage demands a tailored approach to maintain your parent’s dignity and quality of life, so the cost varies, too. However, the average full-time monthly cost is around INR 20,000, based on the severity and type of care required.

Cost Factors to be Considered in Elder Care

Elder care involves a wide range of expenses, from insurance to home modifications, facility fees, and more. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider for effective financial preparation.

Assessment and Care Management Fees

When planning for elder care in India, one critical financial aspect to consider is the fees associated with assessment and care management. These services involve professional evaluations to determine your parent’s care needs and the development of a personalized care plan. This upfront assessment is crucial for tailoring the care services to their specific requirements, ensuring their well-being and safety.

While the exact costs can vary based on the service provider’s expertise and the complexity of the care needed, they form an essential part of the initial stages of arranging elder care. This ensures families can make informed decisions about the types and levels of care their loved ones require.

In-Home Care and Associated Expenses

In-home care can include various services such as daily living assistance, nursing care, physiotherapy, medical consultations, etc. Costs for these services can significantly vary based on the type of care required, caregivers’ professional experience, and the service frequency.

For instance, nursing care might range from low to high costs depending on the level of care needed, while physiotherapy sessions and doctor consultations also have their own set pricing structures. Additionally, expenses for medical supplies, home safety modifications, and transportation for medical appointments should be included in the comprehensive cost of in-home care.

Thus, tailoring the services and modifications to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for your parents will help you estimate the necessary care costs.

Comprehensive Care Facilities

These care facilities, an alternative to in-home care, are suited for those who need more intensive care than can be provided at home. These facilities, which range from assisted living to skilled nursing homes, cater to varying degrees of healthcare and personal assistance needs. The costs associated with these facilities are influenced by factors such as the facility’s location, the scope of services offered, and the care level required.

Given the diversity in services and care levels, the cost of comprehensive care facilities can vary widely. It’s essential for families to explore and understand the options available, considering both the financial implications and the quality of life and care provided to make an informed decision.

Government Programs and Insurance for Elder Care in India

Government programs and insurance play a crucial role in mitigating the costs associated with elder care in India. Various schemes and policies provide financial relief, aiming for quality care for your parents. Among the notable programs are:

• National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE), focusing on preventive and promotive health care services for senior citizens, ensuring access to health facilities at all levels​.
• Varistha Mediclaim Policy offers comprehensive health coverage for seniors aged between 60 and 80 years, including costs for medicines, ambulance services, and diagnosis-related charges, with benefits like income tax rebates under Section 80D.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana targets senior citizens living in poverty, providing them with physical aids and assisted-living devices. The central government​fully funds the program.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) provides coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalization to economically vulnerable families, covering pre-existing conditions from the first day of insurance​.
• The Reverse Mortgage Scheme, introduced in 2007 by the Indian Ministry of Finance, allows senior citizens to mortgage their homes for regular income, aiding financial stability without losing home ownership.

How Samarth Can Help?

At Samarth Eldercare, we understand the profound love you hold for your parents. Our mission is to mirror that affection through the highest standard of care, ensuring they lead a safe, dignified, and fulfilling life. 

We offer a wide range of elder care services across India, providing a sustainable care ecosystem that is comprehensive, personalized, and proactive. Our services are meant for your parent’s physical and emotional needs, offering everything from health and hospitalization support to convenience services and social engagement. Find a plan that suits you and your parents the most.