After Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a notable shift and growth towards in-home care healthcare services in Bengaluru.
Home nursing services in Bengaluru have seen a significant increase in demand, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most companies providing home nursing services have said that there has been a 20 to 30 percent growth in business especially after Covid-19.
Home nursing services are convenient and offer personalised care that appeal to individuals who prefer to receive medical care in the comfort of their own homes.
Priyanka from Care24, a home nursing service in Bengaluru said that there has been a noticeable growth in their business in recent years. She attributes this growth to a priority shift in people with more individuals preferring comfort and convenience.
She added, “The affordability of home nursing services has made it a more attractive option for patients and their families, who may be looking for alternatives to hospital care. A nurse service is easier and more affordable compared to hospital admissions and paying a large amount for bed and room.”
Anil Das, Managing Director of DAS Home Nursing Services in Bangalore, said that the increase in demand for home nursing services is partly due the improved quality of nurses in the industry. Firms are focusing on hiring well-educated and highly trained nurses who can offer a higher standard of care to their patients. He continued that this has contributed to the industry growth of 20 percent to 30 percent.
Lakshmi from Sumukha Nursing Centre in Bengaluru, said that the demands of modern life have made it challenging for families to care for their elderly members. Many families are nuclear and have working members so it can be difficult to provide the necessary support and attention to elderly loved ones. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a change in attitude towards the health of elderly family members. People have started giving importance to the health of elder people in the family.
She added, “The easy affordability of nursing services is a key factor for the demand hike in the sector. A family can hire a nurse for just Rs. 10,000 per month depending on the condition of the patient which is an easier and better substitute to hospital services. This is why home nursing industry is doing well.”
Taryee, granddaughter of patient in Bengaluru said that they have hired a nurse for Rs. 10,000 a month and the nurse has been very helpful to them. Her grandma has some medical problems and hiring a nurse has been an affordable option for them as she takes care of her basic needs. The company replacement policy is also very convenient where they can easily replace a particular nurse if they do not like them.
Gayathri, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at Ramaiah Medical College said, “Nurse housing firms have developed attractive policies that are easy to navigate. These policies often offer health insurance coverage, medication deliveries and hassle-free nurse replacements. Such benefits add to the appeal of home care, making it a more convenient and accessible option for patients who require regular medical attention.”
She added that the increasing trend of home care is largely due to the accessibility of medical equipment that is both affordable and available for rental. This approach not only reduces expenses for patients but also creates a comfortable environment that improves their overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally.
According to a report by Grand View Research (GVR), home healthcare services can help patients lower their medical treatment costs by 10 percent to 25 percent. For example, a hospital ICU stay can cost between Rs.40,000 to Rs. 55,000 per day whereas establishing an ICU setup at home with medical equipment and professionals can cost between Rs.8,000 to Rs.12,000 per day.
Another report said that the healthcare market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as increasing need for high-quality healthcare services, a rise in elderly population, a shift from communicable diseases to chronic diseases, advancements in technology, higher disposable income, and the demand for cost-effective healthcare services.
The report also shows that to support the growth of home healthcare services and adopt the latest healthcare technology, the Indian Government has introduced various measures. These include the launch of the National Digital Health Program in September 2021 to promote the use of electronic medical data for home healthcare services, and the introduction of Home Healthcare 2.0 by the Healthcare Federation of India (HFI) in January 2022, which seeks to incorporate professional perspectives on home care and drive the expansion of home healthcare services in the country.
GVR report further says that the Indian home healthcare market had a value of USD 8.8 billion in 2022 and is predicted to increase at an annual growth rate of 19.29 percent from 2023 until 2030. The growing rate of chronic diseases in the elderly people and demand for improved primary and postoperative care is anticipated to propel the home care services market in India. According to the Union History’s aging study of India, around 70 precent of senior citizens in the country are affected by chronic illnesses, which necessitates the use of hospices, nursing homes, and home healthcare services.
However, the updated figures show that over 90 percent of the aged have at least one chronic disease and nearly 80 percent have two or more.
