Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility (SHATAYU)

Key Highlights:

• SHATAYU (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility) is a digital initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment.
• Launched on May 22, 2026, it functions as a centralized national Geriatric Caregiver Dashboard and Directory.
• The platform aims to bridge the gap between professionally trained geriatric caregivers and senior citizens, their families, and institutions.
• It currently features 30,151 caregivers in its national directory, enabling location-based searches and callback requests.
• SHATAYU facilitates access to specialized caregiving services, including general, post-surgical, dementia, and palliative care.

Detailed Insights:

• The initiative addresses the increasing demand for a structured, skilled, and accessible geriatric care workforce in India.
• It strengthens India's care economy by creating organized employment pathways for trained caregivers.
• Features like OTP-based verification, enrolment tracking, and a feedback mechanism ensure transparency and accountability.
• The platform offers free access for searching the directory and placing callback requests for both full-time and hourly care.
• It recognizes four professional training categories: Geriatric Care Provider, Geriatric Caregiver, Wellness Therapist (Elderly), and Elderly Care Companion.
• The training framework is supported by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Key Concepts Involved:

• SHATAYU: A digital platform by the Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment connecting trained geriatric caregivers with those requiring elderly care services.
• Geriatric Care: Specialized healthcare and support services tailored to the unique physical, mental, and social needs of older adults.
• Care Economy: The sector encompassing paid and unpaid care work, including services for children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.