Home based Care Service for the Aged: A business model of Social Welfare, Profit and Proverty Alleviation

Abstract

The present study conducted in Kolkata city, shows, how outside any government effort, purely on private business initiative, care service for the aged and employment for the marginalised women were made possible. This brings out a social welfare role of business which is not commonly associated with business. The total sample of the study was 475: ayahs (N=300), ayah centre owners (N=60), and a knowledgeable member of the households using ayah service and/or the aged person (N=115). The data was collected by using of interview schedules. It was found that in the process of earning profit by providing ayahs (women service providers) for home based care for the aged, the ayah centres not only ensure a steady and reliable care service for the aged, to the families in the need of such services, they also empower vulnerable women (ayahs) by providing them an earning that enables their needy families to survive.