Thiruvananthapuram: The chief minister V D Satheesan said that the procedures related to the Kerala State Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 would be completed quickly and that the state govt would soon move ahead with the legislation.He said this at a review meeting on the bill, which is being prepared to ensure the care, welfare, dignity and protection of the rights of elderly people in the state. The proposed law aims to create a senior-friendly and comprehensive support system in view of Keralam’s changing demographic pattern, he added.The bill emphasizes promoting healthy and active ageing, enabling older persons to remain in their own homes and within family and community settings as far as possible, and ensuring safe, quality care when needed.It also outlines a framework to guarantee standards and accountability for services such as elder care centres, assisted living facilities, day-care homes and home-care agencies.One of the major objectives of the bill is to develop caregiving as a professional sector. For this, it proposes the creation of a Kerala Geriatric Care Certification Framework along with systems for caregiver training, certification and background verification and a state-level registry of trained caregivers. This is expected to improve the quality of elder care while also building a skilled caregiving workforce and generating new employment opportunities.The govt will also focus on expanding the “silver economy” by linking the growing needs of older adults with new economic and job opportunities, he said.The goal is to build a sustainable elder-care sector that promotes quality care services, technology, healthcare, assisted living, home care, senior-friendly products and other innovative services, while encouraging service delivery, skill development, entrepreneurship and employment.The bill also envisions state district-level mechanisms for effective implementation, monitoring and grievance redressal. It includes provisions to strengthen digital and financial security and to support elderly people who require special care.Satheesan said the state must prepare not only to address the challenges of an ageing society but also to make use of the opportunities it presents. “Through this proposed legislation, govt aims to establish a future-ready system that gives priority to dignity, quality care, protection and active ageing,” he said.
