A Case Study in Community-Driven Elder Care
EYQA-Vetted Transformations
Community of Practice: Social Work & Community Services
Topic: Volunteer-Driven, Tech-Enabled Resource Sharing for Elderly Care
Type: General Information Case Study
Introduction: Addressing India's Elder Care Gap
As of 2025, India's elderly population (aged 60+) has surpassed 158.7 million, with over 70% residing in rural areas where access to organized care remains limited (Aging in Asia).
Founded in January 2025 by Pankaj Mehrotra, Elderly Care India (ECI) tackles these gaps through a volunteer-led, tech-enabled model. Its mission:
"Make elderly care knowledge a public good, not a privilege."
How ECI Works: Four Pillars of Impact
1. National Eldercare Directory
- India's first centralized database covering:
- ✔ 1,665+ care homes & assisted living centers
- ✔ 95 retirement homes across 709 districts (33 states/UTs)
- ✔ 1,200+ free/subsidized homes for low-income seniors
- Effort Footprint: 1,800+ hours, outreach to 737 District Magistrates, and 500+ care homes reviewed online.
2. Adapted Global Best Practices
Curated guidelines from Australia, USA, UK, Canada, and Hong Kong, tailored to India's context.
3. Knowledge Supporters Network
- 116 individual experts (doctors, CEOs, social workers)
- 47 institutional partners (18 international)
- Governance: One-tier content review system (100% validity rate).
4. Accessible Technology Platform
- Low-bandwidth WordPress site
- Upcoming: Vision/hearing impairment tools
- Voice interfaces: English (with Hindi, Bengali, Marathi coming soon).
Impact & Recognition (2025 Snapshot)
- Digital Reach:
- 1,000+ LinkedIn followers (ECI page)
- 25,000+ connections (Pankaj Mehrotra's network)
- Users: 1,000+ monthly active users (60% Tier-1 cities; 25% MoM growth).
- Policy Influence: Drafted National Policy Framework and Service Delivery Framework.
"ECI's guidelines transformed our caregiving approach."
— LinkedIn feedback
Challenges & Future Roadmap
Current Barriers
- Rural Access: Only 30% of isolated elders can use digital tools independently.
- Funding: Fully pro bono (founder-funded; <₹10,000 spent).
Next Steps (2025–2026)
- Expand Reach: Target 700 districts via community radio partnerships.
- Tech Upgrades: Launch offline SMS-based query system.
- Sustainability: Pilot corporate knowledge partnerships (non-monetary).
Call to Action
Join ECI's movement:
- 🔍 Explore the Directory: elderlycareindia.org
- 🤝 Collaborate: Email care@elderlycareindia.org
- 📢 Share: #ElderlyCareForAll
References
EYQA Case Study Vetting Methodology
The EYQA Case Study Vetting Methodology applies our purpose-driven SHARE framework—Scalability, Human Value, Actionability, Replicability, and Evidence—to identify and amplify high-impact transformation stories.
Each case undergoes multi-dimensional review for:
- Strategic Viability (ROI, market readiness)
- Stakeholder Impact (from boardrooms to communities)
- Innovation Rigor (frugal to tech-driven solutions)
Designed to empower:
- Executives benchmarking industry-shaping models
- Investors validating scalable opportunities
- Changemakers driving equitable progress
Where insight meets execution—turning exceptional ideas into strategies worth sharing.
Case Study Contributor Acknowledgements
We thank Pankaj Mehrotra, Founder of Elderly Care India (ECI), for this case study. A 31-year veteran of corporate and social sectors, Pankaj merges strategic vision (ex-Tata, ICICI) with 20 years of elderly care innovation, including:
- India’s first National Eldercare Directory
- Dementia-inclusive design standards
- Policy frameworks adopted nationwide
“Elderly care knowledge must be a public good.”
— Pankaj Mehrotra
Learn more: elderlycareindia.org
By Pankaj Mendiratta
Last updated on April 17, 2025
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