Geriatric care training launched in Diu to build elderly support network
Synopsis
The Centre has launched a five-day geriatric care training programme in Diu, targeting grassroots functionaries who will serve as the last mile of elderly support for senior citizens — including those living alone. With India's ageing population expanding rapidly, the NISD-led initiative signals a push to build community-level care capacity in Union Territories.
Key Takeaways
Social Justice Secretary Sudhansh Pant inaugurated the Five-Day Geriatric Care Training Programme in Diu on 9 October 2026 .
The programme is organised by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) in collaboration with the Office of the Collector, Diu .
Training covers geriatric care principles, dementia awareness, fall prevention, psychosocial support and emergency first aid.
The initiative aims to create a locally available pool of trained frontline caregivers for senior citizens in Diu District .
Joint Secretaries Sandeep R Rathod and Sajeesh Kumar N , and NISD Director Gaurav Singh Rajawat attended the event.
Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary Sudhansh Pant on 9 October 2026 inaugurated a Five-Day Geriatric Care Training Programme at the Education Hub, Kevdi, Diu, aimed at equipping grassroots-level functionaries with the skills needed to care for an ageing population, including senior citizens living alone. The programme is being conducted by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in collaboration with the Office of the Collector, Diu, under the Union Territory Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH&DD).
What the Programme Covers
Secretary Pant said the training is designed to give participants a thorough grounding in the physical, psychological, emotional and social dimensions of ageing. Participants will develop practical competencies for providing safe, dignified and compassionate care to older persons at the community level.
Key topics include the ageing process and the evolving needs of senior citizens; rights, dignity and well-being of older persons; roles of families, communities and frontline caregivers; principles of basic geriatric care; assistance with routine activities and activities of daily living (ADLs); personal hygiene; nutrition and hydration; medication-related support; mobility assistance; safe transfer techniques; and fall prevention and home safety.
The curriculum also covers basic first aid and emergency response, communication skills, psychosocial support, loneliness and social isolation, emotional well-being, and dementia awareness along with basic caregiving approaches.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
Pant said the initiative seeks to create a pool of trained, sensitised and locally available frontline personnel capable of providing basic geriatric care, identifying emerging care requirements, facilitating access to appropriate government schemes and services, and extending emotional and psychosocial support to senior citizens. He described it as a 'focused capacity-building intervention' to strengthen the local ecosystem of elderly care in Diu District.
By developing locally available trained personnel, the programme aims to promote a more responsive, inclusive and supportive environment for senior citizens, contributing to their dignity, safety, independence, social inclusion and quality of life, he added.
Officials Present at the Inauguration
Joint Secretaries Sandeep R Rathod and Sajeesh Kumar N, along with NISD Director Gaurav Singh Rajawat, attended the inaugural session. Diu Collector Rahul Dev Boora formally welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
NISD's Broader Role in Geriatric Care
The NISD has been conducting capacity-building and training programmes in geriatric care as part of its continuing mandate to strengthen the availability of trained human resources for the care, welfare and protection of senior citizens across India. This programme in Diu represents an extension of that national effort to the Union Territory level, reflecting the Centre's stated priority of last-mile service delivery for the elderly. As India's elderly population continues to grow, initiatives such as this are expected to become increasingly central to social welfare planning.
Point of View
Community-level caregivers for an ageing population that is growing faster than institutional care capacity. The focus on Union Territories, where administrative reach is more direct, may allow for quicker iteration — but whether such training translates into sustained service delivery depends on follow-through beyond the five-day window. India's elderly care architecture remains heavily family-dependent; programmes like this one need to be systematically scaled, not remain one-off capacity exercises. The real measure will be whether these trained functionaries are formally integrated into local government service delivery frameworks.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Geriatric Care Training Programme launched in Diu?
It is a five-day training programme inaugurated on 9 October 2026 in Diu to equip grassroots-level functionaries with skills in elderly care, including physical, psychological and psychosocial support for senior citizens. It is organised by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Who inaugurated the geriatric care training in Diu?
Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary Sudhansh Pant inaugurated the programme at the Education Hub, Kevdi, Diu. Joint Secretaries Sandeep R Rathod and Sajeesh Kumar N, NISD Director Gaurav Singh Rajawat, and Diu Collector Rahul Dev Boora also attended.
What topics are covered in the geriatric care training?
The training covers the ageing process, rights and dignity of older persons, basic geriatric care principles, activities of daily living, nutrition, medication support, fall prevention, dementia awareness, psychosocial support and basic first aid, among other subjects.
Why is geriatric care training important in India right now?
India's elderly population is growing rapidly, with increasing numbers of senior citizens living alone or with limited family support. Grassroots-level trained caregivers are seen as essential for last-mile service delivery, particularly in areas where institutional care infrastructure is limited.
Which organisation is conducting the geriatric care training in Diu?
The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), operating under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is conducting the programme in collaboration with the Office of the Collector, Diu, under the Union Territory Administration of DNH&DD.
