Kerala Faces The Challenge Of A Rising Elderly Population Keralam

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan?s announcement after the first Cabinet meeting about creating a dedicated department for the elderly is promising, but delivering quality geriatric care in a state like Kerala will take massive effort and strong political will. 

Kerala has the largest elderly population in the country, thanks to its longest life expectancy, yet it still lacks organised elderly care programs. With the elderly population projected to rise from the current 18.7 per cent to 22.8 per cent of the



state?s total population in the next decade, there?s an urgent need for a comprehensive policy to address the core issues faced by senior citizens.

A significant reason for the high percentage of elderly residents is the decline in both birth and death rates. 

Many elderly people in the state deal with chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetic nephropathy, age-related eye problems, cataracts, muscular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.