India current state of care

Now more than ever, governments, public entities, the private sector and all citizens have roles to play in addressing the family (unpaid) carer problem. Carers should not have to face these hardships and inequities alone. As a society, we can help them, together. See why we need to provide more structured support and help from our key findings and insights directly from carers around the world.

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What is your country currently doing to support carers?

Find out all you need to know about the current state of care in India. Our information covers topics like legislation, working arrangement for carers, respite care, what your country is doing to financially support carers, pension credits and the information and training you have access to.

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Legislation

Current practises

Unpaid carers are not formally recognized in India. The Right to Persons with Disability Act 2016 defines a carer as any person including parents and other family members who with or without payment provides care, support or assistance to a person with disability.i

Opportunities to increase support

Strengthen the collective voice of unpaid carers at the community, regional and national level to legally recognize unpaid carers in policy initiatives.

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Working arrangements

Current practises

A majority of the workforce in India belongs to the informal sector, and therefore does not receive benefits such as paid leave or flexible working arrangements.iii

Opportunities to increase support

Bring about systemic change in the India workforce, allowing unpaid carers to care for their family and be a part of the formal workforce.

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Respite care

Current practises

Respite care is short supply, inaccessible or unaffordable.v

Opportunities to increase support

Increase respite care funding and make respite care services affordable and more readily available.

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Financial support

Current practises

India does not provide direct financial support to unpaid carers. The Right to Persons with Disability Act 2016 has a provision for a carer allowance to persons with disabilities with high support needs, but that provision has not yet been implemented.ii

Opportunities to increase support

Provide direct financial support to unpaid carers through private and/or public sectors.

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Pension credits

Current practises

India does not have a well-developed social security system and work- related pension is only available to those in the formal sector.iv

Opportunities to increase support

Revamp the social security system in India, recognizing the entire workforce and not just the 10% that are in the formal workforce.

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Information and training

Current practises

Carers Worldwide facilitates employment, training and education opportunities tailored to exist alongside caring responsibilities.

Opportunities to increase support

Add funding to support programs and initiatives

References

i Commonwealth Foundation and Carers Worldwide. (2017). Promoting the Recognition and Inclusion of Carers of the Disabled and Mentally ill in India. Page 10. https://www.carersworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Commonwealth-Foundation-Evaluation-Report.pdf [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]

ii Ibid.

iii Ageing International. (2016). Care Needs and Caregivers: Associations and Effects of Living Arrangements on Caregiving to Older Adults in India. Page 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4877410/ [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]

iv Ibid.

v The Hindu. (2016). Help for the Caregiver. Page 1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/help-for-the-caregiver/article5116330.ece [Date Accessed: 16 July 2018]

GL-NONPR-00332 [September 2022]

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