By 2050, nearly 21% of India’s population, around 347 million people, will be senior citizens. Age brings in special needs, and that is what geriatric care does. Geriatric patient care is meant to address both the support of chronic illness and help maintain a healthy emotional and social life. Understanding geriatric care meaning, benefits, and how insurance can help is essential for families and caregivers.
Plans start at just ₹21/day*.
We pay 100% of your hospital bills
From syringes to surgeries
No limit on hospital room rent
No compromises on recovery
How Does Health Insurance Support Geriatric Care Coordination?
Let’s start by understanding what is geriatric care. Geriatrics is a specialized kind of health care that specifically targets senior citizens. It contains preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services that focus on the conditions related to aging issues, including arthritis, dementia, cardiovascular illnesses, and lack of mobility.
Geriatric care meaning in simplified terms, can be understood as the provision of care that enhances the quality of life of older adults, not only in regard to their physical conditions but also their mental and emotional status.
Geriatric care coordination ensures elderly individuals get comprehensive, efficient, and personalised care. The following benefits highlight the importance of geriatric care in health insurance.
General healthcare offers standard, comprehensive medical care for individuals of all ages. It focuses on physical health andadopts a general approach to treating and preventing illness.
Care of geriatric patients differs from general healthcare in the following ways:
| Comparison Criteria | Geriatric Care | General Healthcare |
| Treatment approach | Targeted specifically for chronic conditions and age-related issues. | Standard and comprehensive healthcare treatment that applies to the general population |
| Target Demographic | Individuals aged 65 and older | All age groups |
| Patient-centred care | Focuses on physical, social, and emotional well-being | Chiefly focuses on physical health |
| Medication management | Considers reducing multiple medication use and focuses on drug interactions | Adopts general medication management with less focus on age-related considerations |
| Preventive measures | Considers age-related preventive measures, like fall prevention | Comprehensive preventive strategies targeted at the general public |
Here are aspects you can consider when selecting an insurance plan for geriatric patient care:
Check whether the policy supports home healthcare, assisted living, and nursing home care. It is better to choose a long-term care insurance option that offers financial support to meet specific medical needs. Make sure the plan covers costs for medical equipment, prescription medications, and mobility aids.
Care coordinators are made available in some insurance policies. They assist patients with booking medical appointments and treatments.
Check if the insurance plan covers chronic disease management (like arthritis, dementia, and diabetes). It is advisable to choose a plan that offers rehabilitation benefits, including post-hospitalisation care and physiotherapy.
Look for a policy that supports emergency coordination services, especially for elderly individuals living alone. Some plans support home visits by nurses and doctors (for routine check-ups).
Compare premium costs to ensure an affordable choice. Look for flexible payment options. You can choose a government-backed insurance scheme to get subsidies for elderly individuals.
Factors like the type of services needed, insurance coverage, and location decide the cost of specialised geriatric care. Typically, the home elder care services range from INR 15,000 to INR 30,000 per month in India.
The cost may vary depending on the care requirements. For example, geriatric care post-surgery may be needed for a short term, while caring for elderly patients with dementia may be needed for a long term.
Geriatric care definition is more complex than a simple medical care. It denotes specialised health care accommodating the physical, emotional, and social needs of old people. Geriatric care is beneficial in enhancing the quality of life of older adults by coordinating and providing complex support to senior citizens.
2.5K Linkedin Followers 
Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya 
Acko Technology & Services Private Limited
#36/5, Hustlehub One East, Somasandrapalya, 27th Main Rd, Sector 2, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
Products 
Company
Legal
Support
Car Insurance 
Bike Insurance
Health Insurance
Group Health Insurance
Travel Insurance
Life Insurance
