Demand for caregivers on the rise
Providing long-term care to patients suffering from cancer, paralysis, brain stroke and muscular dystrophy is increasingly becoming a challenge for families, especially as most members are working.
Not everyone can afford a trained nurse around the clock at home due to high charges. At the same time, hiring an untrained person is not advisable, given the complexities involved in handling different medical conditions.
To cater to such needs, a middle-ground option is now gaining traction in cities like Jalandhar, where the elderly population is relatively high due to the youth migrating abroad. Several agencies have come up, claiming to provide youth trained in patient care.
About a decade ago, nanny courses had become popular, as those holding such certificates had a higher chance of securing a work visa abroad. Today, many individuals from that same pool are finding employment closer to home, earning between Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000 per month depending on their skills.
Ruchi S Gaur, who holds a doctorate in science communication, has launched an NGO offering free training to the youth from Jalandhar and surrounding areas, equipping them to meet patient care needs. “My NGO, Amrit Caregivers, is providing free-of-cost training to the youth. I started the initiative about four years ago. Till now, I have trained about 600 youths and the majority of them have found employment. I train them in providing first aid in case of cuts and burns, handling BP apparatus, using a glucometer and maintaining daily medical charts as advised by doctors. They are taught post-delivery care, new-born handling, patient meal preparation and feeding, fracture management, basic physiotherapy and geriatric care. My last class is usually on the skill of administering CPR,” she shared.
Dr Gaur added, “I hail from Rajasthan and moved to Jalandhar after marriage. One of the first things I noticed was the high incidence of cancer and the lack of adequate home care for patients. This is largely because Jalandhar is an NRI belt and many youth have migrated abroad, leaving behind their ageing parents. Such patients often experience mental trauma and a lack of willpower. Good patient care, regular health monitoring, proper home-cooked meals and constant emotional support can make a huge difference.”
She clarified, “I do not run an agency of my own or provide manpower. I only train the youth, who are then quickly hired by various agencies.” Patient care agencies in Jalandhar are not only supplying trained caregivers but also offering equipment on rent such as ICU care facilities, ventilators, ambulances and physiotherapy services.
“We get requests for caregivers for accident victims, cancer patients, individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and those needing post-surgery care. Once discharged, patients often find no one at home who can quit jobs or take extended leaves, especially in terminal cases. That’s when they approach us,” said Vicky, the owner of one such agency. “The demand is constantly rising.”
Punjab
