Kerala Addresses Elderly Care Crisis
Thursday, 2026/07/02193 words3 minutes1661 reads
In Kerala, India's fastest-aging state, 70-year-old TO Dominic begins most days with a phone call to one of his sons. Both sons left home years ago seeking better employment opportunities - one in neighboring Karnataka, the other in the Middle East. This left Dominic and his wife Martha to manage alone, a situation becoming increasingly common in Kerala.
Last month, the state government announced a dedicated department for elderly welfare, reportedly the first of its kind in India. The department's strategy centers on "ageing in place" - helping older people remain in their homes and communities rather than moving into institutions. Plans include expanding home-based care, introducing social activities, and building elderly parks and day-care centers.
By 2036, nearly one in four people in Kerala is projected to be over 60, compared with a national average of 14.9%. Better healthcare and longer life expectancy have contributed to this trend, but migration has created a challenge: more older people spend their later years apart from their children. For Dominic and Martha, loneliness has become an increasingly common part of growing old. They depend entirely on neighbors for assistance, as their children visit very rarely.
