Kerala drafts bill to professionalise elderly caregiving and boost silver economy
Kerala's chief minister announced a draft law to formalise the elderly-care sector, introducing certification, standards and a state-wide caregiver registry.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister VD Satheesan led a meeting to examine the draft Keralam State Elderly Persons (Care and Protection) Bill, directing rapid progress on the legislation. The bill seeks to build a comprehensive, elderly-friendly framework that aligns with Kerala's shifting demographics, where those aged 60 and above are projected to reach one-quarter of the population within a decade. It would impose quality standards and define responsibilities for assisted-living facilities, home-care agencies, and government homes for destitute seniors.
A central feature is a geriatric-care certification scheme, requiring training, background verification and inclusion in a state-wide caregiver registry, aimed at creating skilled employment opportunities. The government frames the initiative as part of a broader "silver economy" strategy, linking rising elder-care needs with new economic growth. State and district mechanisms are to be established to ensure effective implementation once the bill passes.
Why it matters
The law could reshape elder care in Kerala, improving service quality and creating jobs as the senior population expands.
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