Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection) Bill to focus on protection of rights, dignity of elderly

The Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection) Bill, 2026, that will be tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday aims at promoting healthy and active ageing, registration and regulation of senior citizen care centres, capacity-building for family and caregivers, and protection of rights, dignity, and social security of the elderly.

The Bill underscores the principles of right to dignity, ageing in place and home-based care, safety and social care ecosystem, and senior citizens’ participation in policy making. Thrust is also given to rights such as access care, safe public spaces, digital inclusion, legal aid, reporting of abuse, and access to dignity-preserving products.

The Bill points out that the population of the elderly has been increasing in Keralam. However, modernisation and globalisation had paved the way for nuclear families, adversely affecting the living conditions of the elderly. In order to accommodate their needs, various systems need to be put in place and long-term forward planning is required.

It calls for urgent policy intervention to integrate and standardise home-based health-care services and create a legal framework for their operation.

The government also aims at ensuring that older persons are not marginalised or left unprotected, advocating for their financial security, health care, shelter, and protection of rights.

Protection unit

According to the Bill, the government will set up a State Senior Citizen Protection Unit, besides a District Senior Citizen Protection Forum in each district. A District Senior Citizen Protection Unit will also be formed in each district to assist the District Senior Citizen Protection Forum.

The forum will monitor the policies and schemes of the government implemented through the District Senior Citizen Protection Unit, activities of care centres, mobilise local organisations to carry out activities related to care and protection of the elderly, and take suo motu action on complaints.

The Bill deals with registration of senior citizen care centres in detail.

It requires every home-care service agency that operates or engages caregivers through a digital platform, mobile application, website or other online intermediary to maintain an accurate and updated list of caregivers deployed through it.

Training to caregivers, with phased certification compliance, is another aspect. It proposes that the government establish a ‘Keralam Geriatric Care Certification Framework’ providing progressive certification pathways for caregivers. A ‘State Register of Caregivers’ is also mooted in the Bill.

Other mechanisms proposed include Senior Citizen Cyber Fraud Cell in all cyber police stations and a State reserve fund for protection, care, welfare and social security of the senior citizens.

The Bill also lays down punishment for violation of provisions of the Act and rules and guidelines issued under it.