Institutionalizing Geriatric Care: An Analysis of Kerala’s Proposed Elderly Protection Framework

Furthermore, the bill is expected to integrate institutional mechanisms for the protection of the elderly against neglect and abuse. By creating a robust legal framework, the state aims to empower local bodies and social welfare departments to monitor the well-being of the elderly more effectively. This move aligns with the broader constitutional mandate under the Directive Principles of State Policy, which encourages states to make effective provisions for securing the right to public assistance in cases of old age. For policymakers, the success of this legislation will depend on the convergence of health, social justice, and labor departments to ensure that the care-giving workforce is adequately skilled and that the elderly have access to affordable, high-quality support systems. UPSC Relevance: This development is highly relevant for GS Paper II (Social Justice) and GS Paper I (Population and associated issues). Aspirants can cite this as a best-practice model for state-level policy intervention in addressing the challenges of an aging society, particularly when discussing the 'Silver Economy' and the need for formalizing the care-giving sector in India. SyllabusNodeIds: ["node_gs2_welfare_schemes_for_vulnerable_sections_of_the_population_by_the_centre_and_states_and_the_performance_of_these_schemes_mechanisms_laws_institutions_and_bodies_constituted_for_the_protection_and_betterment_of_these_vulnerable_sections", "node_gs2_issues_relating_to_development_and_management_of_social_sector_services_relating_to_health_education_human_resources", "node_gs1_role_of_women_and_women_s_organization_population_and_associated_issues_poverty_and_developmental_issues_urbanization_their_problems_and_their_remedies"]