Kerala's 'Time Bank' to improve mental health of the elderly: Here's how it works

Hi chetta, how are you? Had your coffee?
How's life? All good?

Ready to engage in some light-hearted but genuine conversations with the elderly? If so, Kerala's local self-government department can hire you and provide compensation, too. The department is all set to launch the 'Time Bank' scheme in Kerala, a concept that has been successfully implemented in countries such as the US, UK and Japan. It will be launched with the help of Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K DISC). The Time Bank project's first launch on an experimental basis is in Elikkulam panchayat in Kottayam district. 

What is Time Bank scheme?
Essential services would be provided to elderly persons by volunteers. The services include engaging the elderly in meaningful conversations or giving them company, getting medicines, driving them around, taking them shopping, cooking, doing laundry and cleaning. The time spent by the volunteer for these would be marked on a digital platform. The volunteers would then receive time credit for their services. Meanwhile, the specific time credits would be determined by local self-government institutions. But the remuneration wouldn’t be provided as cash to the volunteers. In foreign countries, the volunteers can ‘cash’ their time credits in the form of similar services during their old age. However, here, incentives would be provided to avoid the technical complexities. 

How to become a volunteer?
People under 50 years old can volunteer for this scheme. They will be cleared for services only after police verification. The platform admin will provide them approval based on their willingness and ability to be assigned specific tasks. Besides, the volunteers would receive proper training to interact with older people and provide them with services. 

How to book Time Bank service?
The panchayat authorities will find old people who require this service. Ward members and ASHA workers would be assigned this task. Currently, this service is coordinated via this website. The applicants could register on this website by providing their name, email address, phone number, and address. They can request services whenever they require. The platform would then assign a volunteer who is willing to provide the requested services. The applicant (old people) will receive an OTP when the volunteer accepts their notification. The service duration begins when the elderly receive the OTP on their phones. 

Mobile app
In addition to the website, the department plans to launch a mobile app to support the project's statewide expansion. The app has been designed with bigger and clearer fonts to make it easier for the elderly to read and understand. The list of services would be available in the mobile app. The authorities said that elderly people with limited digital knowledge could also easily navigate the app. Besides, they plan to set up helpline numbers to assist the elderly. 

Elikkulam model
7,652 old people will receive Time Bank services in Elikkulam, which won the state government’s award for the best elderly-friendly panchayat. The winners were selected based on a 45-question survey prepared by doctors, psychologists, and other experts. Volunteers of the Time Bank services would be given gift coupons. Besides the panchayat’s fund, CSR funds of companies and cooperation of merchants would be utilised for this. Meanwhile, Elikkulam panchayat is all set to resume the project, which had been paused due to the code of conduct in place ahead of the local body elections. Elikkulam panchayat had made headlines when it organised leisure trips and Pakalveedu facilities to help the elderly overcome loneliness during old age.