Uttar Pradesh Government Launches Comprehensive Senior Citizen Daycare Initiative Across 17 Cities to Combat Urban Isolation
With the rising trend of elderly parents being left alone at home, particularly in urban households where children are either working long hours or have moved away, the Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a large-scale plan to support senior citizens by developing modern daycare facilities across the state.
Recognising the emotional and social challenges faced by the elderly population in cities, the government aims to provide safe, engaging, and inclusive spaces where senior citizens can spend their daytime hours with dignity, purpose, and care.
Inauguration of the Daycare Initiative
The initiative was formally set into motion with the inauguration of one such state-of-the-art senior citizen daycare centre in Gorakhpur by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday.
This centre is the second of its kind in the state. The CM also inaugurated an urban facility centre at the same location. Together, both projects were completed at a cost of ₹14.22 crore.
While addressing the gathering during the inauguration, Chief Minister Adityanath emphasised the government’s inclusive development philosophy. He said that the citizens are not just ordinary people, but are revered as “Janta Janardan” in a democracy — a term that implies divine respect for the public.
He further remarked that the true prosperity of a nation can only be achieved when all its citizens, especially its senior members, are taken care of and made to feel socially included and valued.
Adityanath drew attention to the fast pace of urbanisation, pointing out that while cities have grown economically, the social bonds, especially with senior citizens, have weakened.
Many elderly individuals living in urban areas are experiencing increased loneliness, detachment from families, and isolation from their communities.
These emotional gaps are now being recognised as significant contributors to declining mental and physical health among older adults.
Wider Rollout Across 17 Cities
According to senior government officials, this initiative is not limited to Gorakhpur. The Urban Development Department has chalked out an expansive roadmap to establish daycare centres for the elderly in 17 major cities across the state.
Currently:
- One centre is already functional in Kanpur.
- A centre in Lucknow is fully prepared and will be launched shortly.
- Construction work in Agra and Jhansi is nearly complete.
- Twelve other urban centres are under various stages of development. These include:
- Ayodhya
- Varanasi
- Bareilly
- Moradabad
- Saharanpur
- Aligarh
- Firozabad
- Shahjahanpur
- Ghaziabad
- Meerut
- Prayagraj
- Mathura
Features and Facilities at the Centres
According to Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, these centres are being designed not just as care spaces but as vibrant, multifunctional hubs that offer both recreational and health services to senior citizens.
Unlike traditional elderly shelters or old-age homes managed by the Social Welfare Department for full-time residents, these new centres are daycare facilities.
Their objective is to provide a space where senior citizens, especially those who live alone in urban households, can spend their days meaningfully before returning to their homes at night.
Some of the key facilities being planned and developed at these centres include:
- Yoga and meditation classes to improve mental and physical health.
- Mini gyms and light exercise equipment are suitable for elderly fitness.
- Reading rooms and libraries promote mental engagement.
- Recreational areas encourage social interaction.
- In select cities, cafés or small food courts will be established, not only to serve the elderly but to be open to the general public. This will allow senior citizens to socialise with people from different age groups and also help generate sustainable revenue to support the operation of the centres.
Health and Wellness Support
In addition to recreational features, the centres will be equipped with essential healthcare services. These include:
- Regular health check-ups
- Physiotherapy sessions
- On-call doctor consultations
These provisions aim to address both the routine and preventive healthcare needs of the elderly, ensuring they receive timely attention in a comfortable, non-clinical environment.
Implementation and Operations
The infrastructure for each centre will be constructed and funded by the state government. Once operational, the running of the centres will be handed over to specialised expert agencies or NGOS with experience in geriatric care.
This collaborative model is intended to ensure that the centres are not only well-maintained but also staffed with compassionate and trained personnel who understand the unique needs of the elderly.
A senior official from the department stated that minor customisations are being made at different centres based on local needs and feedback from pilot projects.
The ultimate goal is to provide safe, inclusive, and engaging daytime environments for senior citizens, where they can maintain their independence while staying mentally, physically, and socially active.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s initiative comes at a crucial time when urban family structures are changing rapidly, often leaving the elderly feeling isolated.
By providing modern daycare centres tailored to their needs, the state is taking an important step toward ensuring that elderly citizens can age gracefully and remain integrated within society.
