State govt mulls day care centres for the elderly

Karthik “The most common problem faced by the elders is seclusion. The day care centres will be a relief for them as they will have a common platform to live and spend their day-to-day activities with people of their age,” said S Madhumathi, Secretary, Social Welfare Department.

Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanised States with elders forming more than 11 per cent of the population, according to 2011 census. The elderly population is the second highest in the country only next to Kerala and to implement schemes for the elders, the government is involved in the process of framing a perspective plan on elders.

The plan will be based on the study conducted jointly by the State government with The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). The report of the study is yet to be submitted and once the report is tabled the plan on elders will be formulated.

The project will begin on a pilot basis. “As a pilot project, the government will launch day care centres in two blocks in all the 37 districts with the total outlay of Rs 37 lakh,” said Madhumathi, adding, the project is only in the planning stage.

She added that the proposed day care centres would be a closed house where elders can stay in the house from morning till evening, chat and indulge in whatever activities they want. If they wish to be taken to the parks nearby, they can also be taken as a group and will be brought back to the centres.

The day care centres will also have recreational features suitable to elders.

However, Madhumathi said that food will not be provided there and necessary arrangements would have to be made by the elders themselves.