Kerala Reviews Draft Bill to Protect Elderly Rights and Boost Care Sector
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan reviewed the draft Keralam State Elderly Persons (Care and Protection) Bill 2026, which seeks to ensure care, dignity and rights of the elderly.
The Kerala government has moved a step closer to enacting a dedicated law for the welfare of its elderly population, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan chairing a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the draft Keralam State Elderly Persons (Care and Protection) Bill 2026.
The proposed legislation is designed to safeguard the care, welfare, dignity and rights of senior citizens in the State. The Chief Minister, who also holds the elderly welfare portfolio, said the government would complete the necessary procedures and proceed with the legislation soon.
Against the backdrop of shifting demographics, the Bill seeks to build an elderly-friendly system that encourages healthy and active ageing. It aims to enable senior citizens to remain in their own homes within a familial and social environment, while ensuring safe and quality care when required.
The draft law includes provisions to enforce responsibility and quality across services such as elderly care centres, assisted living facilities, day care centres known as Pakal Veedu, and home care.
A key focus is the transformation of the caregiving sector into a professional setup. To achieve this, the government plans to prepare a Kerala Geriatric Care Certification Framework, impart training to caregivers, and carry out certification and background checks to build a State-level register of trained caregivers.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office, the move is expected to enhance the quality of elderly care while creating a cadre of trained caregivers and opening up new job opportunities.
The government will also prioritise the development of a silver economy that links the growing needs of the elderly with financial and job opportunities. The objective is to build a sustainable elderly care sector covering services, skills, entrepreneurship and employment by promoting quality caregiving services, technology, health care, assisted living, home care and elderly-friendly products.
The Bill envisages State- and district-level mechanisms for effective implementation, monitoring and grievance redressal, and includes provisions for digital and financial safety as well as support for elderly persons requiring special care.
The Chief Minister stressed that Kerala should gear up to address the challenges faced by the elderly and harness the possibilities that lie therein.