It is observed that many seniors face loneliness, financial insecurity, and a lack of immediate support as nuclear families become the norm, and children move away, or in the case of the issueless, are not present. Issueless elderly often face unique vulnerabilities, relying on nephews, nieces, or distant relatives for care, companionship, and support.
While relegating the assumption that children act as a guarantee for comfort in one’s old age is a myth to appropriate platforms for debate and argument, it cannot however be refuted that elders often face significant discomfort in old age due to caregiver burden, emotional strain, and financial dependency.
We are in an age where elder care has assumed the sort of importance reserved for national security, economic stability, and more importantly, the fundamental preservation of human dignity.
However, elderly care in India is viewed as an enigma due to the rapid collision of traditional, family-centric support systems with modern realities like nuclear families, urban migration, and the high financial and emotional costs. According to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India is facing a silent elderly care crisis.
Elder care is however moving from being viewed as a social obligation to a practical, ethical, and emotional necessity that requires robust institutional and community support.
Rather than being merely a service, elder care is now a statement of values, a top-tier societal priority.
Communities in India are assisting in elder care through a mix of traditional social support, volunteer-driven initiatives, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that address medical, emotional, and social needs.
While the family remains the primary caregiver, community-driven models supported by NGOs, local volunteers, and government initiatives have proven successful in addressing social isolation, health monitoring, and daily needs.
However, while there are growing private initiatives, the sheer scale of India’s aging population means that fragmented, small-scale efforts are insufficient.
It is rightly said that elder care needs to be treated as essential national infrastructure, similar to education or transport, ensuring it is a comprehensive system that protects the dignity of senior citizens rather than just providing them with shelter.
It is in the context that I would like to mention about a WhatsApp post shared by my elderly friend of mine which was as unique as it was striking – about an innovative social security system developed in Switzerland. Switzerland’s pension system is considered to be very good and provides retirees with enough support in their later years so that they do not have to worry about food and shelter.
‘Time Bank’ is described as an elderly care pension programme developed by the Swiss Federal Social Security system.
People save ‘time’ by caring for elderly individuals, and when they themselves grow old, become ill, or need assistance, they can ‘withdraw’ that saved time.
This system is particularly designed to address the challenges faced by individuals without children or those in nuclear families requiring support in their later years.
Surveys by Swiss pension organisations reveal that more than half of the country’s citizens are willing to participate in such elderly care services. The Swiss government has also passed laws supporting the ‘Time Bank’ pension model.
Applicants must be healthy, good at communication, and caring. They provide daily or weekly assistance to elderly people in need. Their service hours are credited to personal ‘time’ accounts within the social security system. After one year of service, the ‘Time Bank’ calculates the total hours and issues a ‘Time Bank Card’. When they need care, they can use the card to withdraw their accumulated ‘time and interest’. After verification, the ‘Time Bank’ arranges volunteers to care for them either at home or in the hospital.
Today, in Switzerland, using ‘Time Banks’ to support old-age has reportedly become a common practice. It not only reduces pension expenses, but also helps solve other social issues. Many Swiss citizens support this model of elderly care.
The Swiss time bank concept for elder care, known as ‘Zeitvorsorge’ (time provision), was officially piloted around 2012 in the city of St Gallen, with backing from the Federal Social Insurance Office.
Community engagement is a powerful, proactive approach to addressing the dual challenges of elderly isolation and rising care costs by shifting from institutional care to community-based support.
By fostering social connections, creating age-friendly environments, and leveraging local resources, community engagement improves the quality of life for seniors while reducing the financial burden on families and healthcare systems.
Nevertheless, rather than depend solely on government initiatives, a comprehensive approach to elder care involves communities stepping forward to create a nurturing ecosystem through grassroots initiatives, voluntary support, and structured local programs.
This shift from institutional care to ‘aging in place’ ensures seniors remain part of society rather than isolated in facilities.
Elder care is being increasingly recognised as a vital social initiative and a critical social responsibility, rather than just a private family matter.
As a system built on reciprocity, the ‘Time Bank’ initiative in Switzerland is a highly regarded example of community engagement that addresses the challenges of an aging population while fostering social solidarity.
A concept identical to the Swiss model is worth adopting in India.
(Pachu Menon is a senior columnist and author based in Goa.)
