Kerala plans statewide Time Bank to reward elderly support
The proposed community system will convert voluntary service hours into digital credits for future use or transfer to family members.
The Kerala department of senior citizens has proposed a statewide Time Bank system to create a mechanism for reciprocal community support, according to The New Indian Express.
Under this system, the hours spent by registered volunteers assisting elderly people will be logged digitally and turned into time credits. These credits can be redeemed for assistance later or transferred to family members, following models used in countries like the UK.
Arun S Nair, director of the department, said that even senior citizens who are able-bodied can volunteer to earn credits for when they might need help in the future. The initiative will initially be piloted in certain local self-government institutions or select districts.
To encourage younger participants, the department is looking into ways to use credits earlier, such as through travel coupons, fuel vouchers, or academic grace marks. Volunteers will be mobilised through groups including the National Service Scheme (NSS), NCC, Kudumbashree, and various youth clubs.
Service activities include providing companionship, assisting with digital tools like UPI and smartphones, and organising recreational activities or reading clubs. A digital platform featuring a mobile app or web portal will manage volunteer registration and the recording of service hours.
The plan also includes an 'Honor a Home' initiative, which proposes a 'One Student-One Elderly Friend' model to foster partnerships between educational institutions and elderly-care homes.