New department for welfare of elderly people

Kerala has become the first state in India to create a separate department for senior citizens. The new department aims to introduce welfare schemes for elderly people and bring existing programs under one umbrella for better coordination. The formation of the department was one of the promises made in the UDF election manifesto. Studies show that within the next ten years, one out of every four people in Kerala will be above the age of 60. Reports also suggest that by 2036, senior citizens will make up 22.8 percent of Kerala's population. Kerala already has the highest proportion of elderly people in India. According to the 2011 Census, senior citizens made up 12.6 percent of the state's population, which increased to 16.5 percent in 2021. Kerala also has the highest life expectancy in the country.

Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said that the new department is not just a technical change but the beginning of a new policy approach. He said the aim is to make the protection and care of senior citizens a responsibility of the state, following the model used in Japan. Migration of youngsters from Kerala to other states and foreign countries for education and jobs has been increasing. In this situation, ensuring the welfare and emotional support of elderly people has become an important responsibility of the state government. Kerala was also the first state in India to set up a commission for protecting the rights of senior citizens and preventing their exploitation. Financial assistance is already being provided to eligible elderly people, and laws exist to ensure that children take care of their parents. However, cases of neglect and abandonment of elderly people are still regularly reported.

The new department should mainly focus on solving the emotional and mental health problems faced by senior citizens. Many elderly people struggle with loneliness caused by financial difficulties, the death of a spouse, and children living far away. Regular visits by government representatives to check on their well-being could provide a strong sense of comfort and security. The Chief Minister also said the department would work based on the Japanese model for elderly care. Some features of the Japanese system include special insurance schemes for senior citizens, government centres where elderly people can gather during the day, free medical treatment, special care for memory-related illnesses, and healthcare services provided at home. In Japan, robots are also used to assist elderly people living alone. While such advanced systems may not be possible immediately in Kerala, better coordination of welfare programs under the new department could still improve services without major financial costs.

Like Japan, China is also facing the challenge of an ageing population. China has been using the skills and experience of senior citizens in areas that create new products and businesses. The Chinese model shows that successful startups can be created not only by young people but also by groups of elderly people. Along with creating a separate department for senior citizens, the government should also appoint an imaginative and efficient civil service officer to lead it. When Kudumbashree was first launched, nobody expected it to grow so large or become such a success. In the same way, if the initiatives of the senior citizens’ department can achieve similar success, it could become a model for the whole of India.