Kathmandu, July 10 -- A draft of the National Policy on Senior Citizens 2026 proposes making families the primary support system for elderly care, while placing greater responsibility on local governments to expand community-based services. Prepared by the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security, the draft prioritises family and community-based care to help address loneliness among senior citizens.

The draft, which has been released for public consultation and feedback, states that old age homes or institutional care should be arranged only when care within the family or community is not possible. This effectively positions institutional care as a last resort rather than the preferred option.

Accor...