Kerala develops new legislation to regulate elderly care

The Kerala government is developing new legislation to regulate elderly care as the state faces a rapid demographic shift. Chief Minister V D Satheesan recently reviewed the draft Kerala State Elderly Persons (Care and Protection) Bill, 2026, alongside a proposed Policy for Elders.

The proposed law aims to establish standards for care homes, assisted-living facilities, and home-care services. It will also define specific qualifications and accountability measures for caregivers to ensure statutory security, healthcare access, and dignity for senior citizens.

This legislative move responds to projections showing Kerala’s elderly population could nearly double from 4.2 million in 2011 to 8.4 million by 2036. The state is experiencing an ageing trend significantly faster than the national average in India, with the number of residents aged 60 and above expected to rise sharply over the next decade.