The Keralam government has decided to form a neighbourhood elder support network from the ward level up to ensure a strong social support mechanism for the elderly.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had recently announced that the network would ensure a neighbourhood’s attention to the elderly and their needs. It would have digital data on the elderly and the level of their vulnerability in each ward and would function in coordination with the care-giving force that the government planned to create. This should be made possible since those who needed special attention among the elderly were not many in number, he had said.
The government will make use of the Kudumbashree mechanism to form the network from the ward level to the local self-government institution level. The network will identify and assess the needs of older persons who are in need of special attention such as the elderly who live alone, are bed-ridden or differently abled, and those who are economically and socially marginalised. It will then connect the elderly to government services and schemes and provide coordinated support at the local level during times of emergencies.
Vulnerability mapping
The network will conduct vulnerability mapping of the elderly in each ward, decide the services to be provided to them based on requirements, and formulate individual support plans. It will make use of a ‘service directory’ for emergency/referral services and a ‘digital dashboard’ for monitoring activities.
The network will function in coordination with local self-government institutions, Health department, Kudumbashree, and voluntary organisations as part of the 100-day action plan of the government, according to an order of the newly formed Department of Senior Citizens.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) government had announced a dedicated department for senior citizens as the State grapples with a steadily rising ageing population.
Published – October 03, 2026 07:24 pm IST
