A FIRST IN INDIA: KERALAM ESTABLISHES DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS

Keralam has become the first state in India to establish a dedicated Department of Senior Citizens, underscoring its vision of “A New Age Keralam, An Elder-Friendly Keralam.” With innovative schemes ranging from dementia-friendly initiatives to intergenerational exchanges, the department aims to promote healthy ageing, social protection, and community-based care.  

Keralam has once again set a national benchmark in social innovation by becoming the first state in India to establish a dedicated Department of Senior Citizens. The initiative, launched under the banner “A New Age Keralam, An Elder-Friendly Keralam,” reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring dignity, independence, and active participation for its ageing population.  

The department’s objectives are ambitious yet deeply humane. At its core lies the promotion of healthy and active ageing, enabling senior citizens to remain engaged and empowered in their communities. It also seeks to strengthen community-based care and independent living, ensuring that older people are not isolated but supported by neighbourhood networks and local institutions. Universal social protection and the safeguarding of rights form another cornerstone, alongside the development of Keralam’s care economy and silver economy—recognising the immense social and economic value of its senior citizens.  

Equally significant is the department’s emphasis on research, data collection, and innovation in ageing. By building a robust knowledge base, Kerala aims to design evidence-driven policies that respond to the evolving needs of its elderly population. This forward-looking approach positions the state as a pioneer in integrating ageing into the broader development agenda.  

The department has already announced a series of new schemes and programmes that highlight its inclusive vision. The ‘Honour a Home’ scheme is designed to foster coexistence and exchange of ideas between senior citizens and younger generations, bridging the gap between tradition and modernity. Neighbourhood support networks will provide immediate assistance and companionship, reinforcing the social fabric at the grassroots level.  

Local self-government institutions will host Senior Citizens’ Facilitation Desks, ensuring that services and entitlements are accessible without bureaucratic hurdles. In a groundbreaking move, Kerala has also unveiled the ‘Dementia Friendly Keralam’ initiative, recognising the growing prevalence of cognitive health challenges and committing to compassionate, community-based responses.  

Technology and innovation are central to the department’s plans. An integrated portal will serve as a one-stop platform for welfare activities, offering information, services, and support tailored to senior citizens. Meanwhile, the Elder-Friendly Office Certification programme will encourage workplaces and institutions to adopt practices that respect and accommodate the needs of older individuals.  

Together, these measures signal a paradigm shift in how ageing is perceived and addressed. No longer confined to welfare or charity, Keralam’s approach treats senior citizens as active contributors to society, deserving of respect, protection, and opportunities. The establishment of the Department of Senior Citizens is not merely an administrative reform—it is a moral statement about the kind of society Kerala aspires to be.  

As the state embarks on this journey, it offers a model for the rest of India: one where ageing is not feared but embraced, where elders are not marginalised but celebrated, and where the promise of an elder-friendly future is woven into the very fabric of governance.