States » SouthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 6:19PM


Keralam to start caregiving courses from next academic year: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 17 (UNI) The Kerala government will introduce six-month certificate courses in caregiving for senior citizens from the next academic year, followed by a one-year internship, besides upgrading the palliative care system in local bodies and providing training to existing caregivers, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said here on Thursday.
Addressing a session on 'Keralam Silver Economy' held as part of the 'Reimagining Keralam' initiative, Satheesan said the caregiving courses could be offered by medical colleges, nursing colleges and private hospitals with adequate facilities.
The syllabus will integrate caregiving courses from the UK, Germany and Australia with Kerala's socio-economic context, he said, adding that the initiative would also generate employment opportunities.
"From the next academic year onwards, we can start these caregiving courses. All the medical colleges, nursing colleges and private hospitals with sufficient facilities can start this certificate course of six months' duration followed by one-year internship," he said.
The session was part of a series of Round Table Conferences organised to evolve an implementation framework for transformational projects announced in the State Budget for 2026-27.
Noting that "nobody should be alone" was the government's vision, Satheesan said Kerala was the first state in India to establish a department for senior citizens.
Referring to initiatives such as 'One Kerala, Karuthal Mission', he said the demographic shift over the next decade should be factored into future planning as the proportion of young people was declining due to demographic changes and brain drain.
He suggested leveraging the expertise of senior citizens to guide startups, with retired professionals serving as techno-mentors and management mentors for young entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister said the palliative care system in local bodies would be upgraded and existing caregivers in panchayats would be given further training. The process of preparing a database of people requiring care at the local-body level had already begun, he said.
He also proposed a tripartite arrangement involving the government, Local Self Government Department and other organisations to strengthen caregiving activities.
Satheesan said Kerala was preparing to set a model in old-age care by following standards prescribed by the World Health Organisation.
Women and Child Development, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Bindhu Krishna said the steadily increasing proportion of senior citizens in the population should be viewed not only as a social challenge but also in terms of the economic opportunities it could create.
The core idea of the silver economy was to view senior citizens not merely as a social welfare category or consumers, but as people whose knowledge, experience, skills, time and financial resources could contribute to new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, she said.
The Labour Department could play a key role in creating employment opportunities for senior workers by preparing a senior talent registry, Ms Krishna said.
The experience of retired teachers, technicians, accountants, craftsmen, managers, professionals and experts in various fields could be utilised for the benefit of society, she added.
She also suggested a dedicated silver economy employment platform bringing together senior citizens and care workers seeking employment with opportunities in elderly care, home support, consultancy, mentoring and part-time work.
In another session on 'Building A Keralam Where Older Persons Can Age With', State Planning Board Member G Vijayaraghavan made a presentation on long-term projects that could be considered for the welfare of senior citizens.
The session was chaired by Rathan U Kelkar, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of the Department of Senior Citizens' Welfare, and was organised by the Elderly Welfare Department.
The September 16-18 'Reimagining Keralam' event brings together ministers, senior bureaucrats, domain experts, government departments and agencies, regulatory authorities, knowledge institutions, industry, funding agencies and other stakeholders to give concrete shape to project proposals and establish clear implementation pathways.
UNI DS
Tags: #Keralam to start caregiving courses from next academic year: CM
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