Google India has launched a comprehensive Elder Care Program aimed at supporting employees who are caring for aging family members.
The initiative addresses a growing challenge in modern Indian households, where professionals often juggle demanding careers alongside caregiving responsibilities for elderly parents or relatives.
Announced by Shraddhanjali Rao, Head of HR at Google India, the program is designed to provide structured support across three key areas: emotional wellbeing, physical health, and safety services.
Emotional Wellbeing: Combating Isolation and Building Connection
The emotional wellbeing component of the program focuses on reducing social isolation among elders and supporting employees emotionally.
It includes:
- Regular wellness check-in calls
- Virtual engagement sessions
- Curated support groups
- Personalized assistance services
These offerings aim to foster human connection and ensure that elderly family members feel engaged and cared for, even when their caregivers are occupied with professional commitments.
Physical Health: Ensuring Consistent and Preventive Care
To support the physical health of elders, Google India’s program provides:
- Full-body health screenings
- Telemedicine consultations with doctors
- Quarterly in-home medical visits
- Access to vetted home care professionals
This proactive approach ensures that elders receive timely medical attention and preventive care, reducing the stress on employees who may otherwise struggle to coordinate such services independently.
Google India Safety Services: Emergency Support and Home Safety
The safety pillar of the program is designed to offer peace of mind during emergencies and improve the safety of living environments.
Key features include:
- 24/7 emergency coordination
- On-call physician access
- Ambulance evacuation services
- Virtual home safety consultations
These services help employees feel confident that their loved ones are protected, even in critical situations.
A Culture of Empathy and Inclusion
Shraddhanjali Rao emphasized that the program is not just a corporate benefit but a reflection of Google India’s commitment to understanding the multifaceted lives of its employees.
“Caring for an elderly loved one while balancing a demanding career is a profound act of commitment,” she noted, adding that the initiative allows employees to “bring their best selves to work” by ensuring their families are supported.
The program also aligns with broader demographic trends.
As India’s population ages—with projections indicating that nearly 20% of the population will be over 60 by 2050—the need for formalized elder care support is becoming increasingly urgent.
Google India Setting a New Standard in Workplace Support
Industry leaders are hailing Google India’s Elder Care Program as a model for employee-centric innovation, not just in tech but across sectors.
The company acknowledges the emotional and logistical complexities of elder care.
This approach is helping reshape workplace culture to be more inclusive and responsive to real-life challenges.
This initiative may inspire other organizations to adopt similar frameworks.
Urban migration, nuclear family structures, and rising work pressures are steadily redefining caregiving norms in India.
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