India’s eldercare start-ups expand as families live farther apart

Start-ups in India are expanding eldercare services as smaller households and younger relatives moving away change how families support ageing parents. Businesses offer specialised housing, home care, companionship and technology-assisted monitoring. Government think-tank NITI Aayog estimates the country’s senior care industry is worth around $7bn, while UNFPA projections put people aged over 60 at close to 21% of India’s population by 2050.

The expansion faces constraints in staffing and access. Ratings firm CareEdge warns that inadequate training could leave the sector short of skilled workers. Costs also put services beyond many older people’s reach: NITI Aayog says 78% of India’s elderly population has no pension. Experts cited by the BBC say businesses cannot meet the country’s care needs alone.

The gap extends beyond medical assistance to housing and everyday support. Property consultancy Colliers estimates demand for senior living in India at 2–2.2 million units, compared with around 25,000 available. Meanwhile, some older people prefer remaining at home, where paid attendants and nurses increasingly take primary caregiving roles.