Quick answer: Kerala has around 700 old age homes, the highest number of any Indian state. That is 16 government-run homes, now officially called Snehalayam, plus about 680 homes registered with the Orphanage Control Board, according to the Kerala Economic Review 2024. Ernakulam district has the most, and government homes are free for destitute seniors.
The government homes are managed by the Social Justice Department, while most registered homes are run by charitable, religious and voluntary organisations. The real figure is higher still, because many private, paid senior living and retirement communities are not counted in these government registers.
If you are searching for old age homes in Kerala for a parent or planning ahead, this guide gives you the exact numbers, how they have grown, where they are, and the different types available.
How many government old age homes are there in Kerala?
Kerala has 16 government-run old age homes, and every other legal home in the state must register with the Orphanage Control Board. The breakdown below shows how the two groups add up.
Kerala's old age homes fall into two main groups in official records:
- Government-run homes: 16 old age homes are run directly by the Kerala Social Justice Department, including dementia care centres and facilities for persons with disabilities.
- Registered (NGO and charitable) homes: Around 680 old age homes are registered under the Orphanage Control Board (officially the Board of Control for Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes).
Together that is roughly 700 registered old age homes in the state, based on the Economic Review 2024, the state government's own annual review of Kerala's economy and social sectors.
It is worth being clear about what these numbers do and do not include. They count registered charitable and government homes. They do not fully capture the growing number of private, paid retirement and assisted living communities that have opened across Kerala in recent years, so the total number of places serving seniors is larger than 700.
How the number has grown
Old age homes in Kerala have risen sharply in less than a decade:
- Around 500 homes were registered in 2015.
- This grew to about 630 homes by 2023.
- The latest figure is about 680 registered homes (Economic Review 2024), plus 16 government homes.
Demand is climbing just as fast. The number of residents living in Kerala's care homes rose from 19,149 in 2016-17 to 32,032 in 2023-24, an increase of over 67% in about seven years, according to the Directorate of Social Justice. Kerala's overall picture matches the national trend covered in our guide on how many old age homes there are across India.
Why Kerala has the most old age homes in India
Kerala leads the country in old age homes for clear reasons tied to its unique demographics.
Kerala is India's oldest state by age profile. It has the highest share of elderly people among Indian states. Its old-age dependency ratio (the number of people aged 60 and above for every 100 people aged 15 to 59) was 19.6 in the 2011 Census and is projected to reach 34.3 by 2031, far above the national average.
Youth migration abroad. Kerala sends a large share of its young people to the Gulf and other countries for work. This often leaves elderly parents living alone, increasing the need for structured care and companionship.
Nuclear families and longer life spans. Kerala has one of the highest life expectancies in India. Combined with the shift from joint to nuclear families, more seniors are living longer with fewer family members nearby to provide daily care.
Fading stigma. Older Keralites, including financially secure ones, increasingly choose community living for the safety, companionship, and structured activities it offers, rather than being placed there out of necessity.
Are there government free old age homes in Kerala?
Yes. Kerala's 16 government homes give free shelter, food, clothing and medical care to seniors who are destitute or have no one to look after them, and many charitable homes registered with the Orphanage Control Board also take residents free or for a small contribution.
Two recent changes matter if you are searching for one:
- New name: a government order of 2 December 2024 (G.O. No. 247/2024/SJD) renamed the state's old age homes "Snehalayam", and in July 2026 the State Human Rights Commission told the department to use the new name on its boards and websites. Search for Snehalayam as well as "old age home".
- New department: in May 2026 Kerala set up a separate Department of Senior Citizens Welfare, split from the Social Justice Department, whose listed functions include old age homes. Some homes may now be handled by the new department.
How do you get admission to a government old age home in Kerala?
Apply through the District Social Justice Office, which works in all 14 districts and can tell you which government or registered home has a free place. Elder Line 14567, the national senior citizens helpline, also works in Kerala.
- Who qualifies: usually seniors aged 60 or above who are destitute, abandoned or without family support.
- What to carry: age proof, Aadhaar, a ration card or income document, and a report from the local police station or panchayat where the home asks for one.
- Expect a wait: places are limited, so ask about more than one home.
Our step-by-step guide on how to get admission in an old age home covers the forms and interview.
Is there a government old age home in Kollam or Kochi?
The Social Justice Department's 16 homes are spread across Kerala, but its district-by-district list is not published in a form we could verify online, so we do not name individual homes here. For Kollam, ask the District Social Justice Office in Kollam. For Kochi, ask the office in Ernakulam district, which also has the largest number of registered charitable homes in the state.
Our separate guide to old age homes in Kochi covers the city in more detail.
Types of old age homes in Kerala
Not every old age home is the same. In Kerala you will mainly find:
Type | Run by | Cost | Best for |
Government homes | Social Justice Department | Free / subsidised | Elderly with no income or family support |
Charitable / NGO homes | Trusts, religious and social organisations | Free or low "pay and stay" | Low and middle income seniors |
Private paid homes | Private operators | Monthly or deposit-based fees | Seniors wanting modern amenities and care |
Assisted living and memory care | Private senior living operators | Premium fees | Seniors needing daily help or dementia care |
Homes are also classified by whom they serve: aged men, aged women, or both. Government records list details such as registration number, sanctioned capacity, and current residents, with capacities commonly ranging from about 15 to 70 residents per home.
How many old age homes are there in Kerala, district wise?
No official district-wise list of old age homes is published online for Kerala. The most recent district figure available is for Ernakulam: a November 2023 count reported by Kerala Kaumudi from state figures put Kerala's total at 745 establishments, 16 of them government-run, with Ernakulam district highest at 144.
That 745 counts a slightly wider group of institutions than the Economic Review's 700, so treat the two as different snapshots. For a full district list, the Orphanage Control Board register and the District Social Justice Office in each district are the official sources.
Old age homes are spread across all districts, with higher concentrations in the more urban and populated regions. Popular areas for both charitable homes and modern senior living communities include Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam (Kochi), Kottayam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
Families looking beyond basic old age homes toward organised senior living increasingly explore options in the state's cities, such as senior living communities in Kochi and senior living options in Thiruvananthapuram, where healthcare access and infrastructure are strongest.
Here is where to start in each of the main districts:
| District | Main towns | Compare homes |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram city, Peroorkada, Sreekaryam | Assisted living in Thiruvananthapuram |
| Ernakulam | Kochi, Aluva, Kakkanad | Assisted living in Kochi |
| Kottayam | Kottayam town, Pampady, Puthuppally | Senior living in Kottayam |
| Thrissur | Thrissur city, Guruvayur | Senior living in Thrissur |
| Palakkad | Palakkad town, Malampuzha side | Senior living in Palakkad |
| Kannur | Kannur town | Senior living in Kannur |
For Kollam, Kozhikode and the other districts, start with the District Social Justice Office, or browse all senior living locations.
How much does an old age home cost per month in Kerala?
A basic paid old age home in Kerala costs about ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 a month in 2026, while government homes are free and many charitable homes charge ₹0 to ₹10,000. Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram sit at the top of each range and smaller towns lower.
| Type of home | Indicative monthly cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Government home (Snehalayam) | Free for eligible seniors |
| Charitable or "pay and stay" home | ₹0 to ₹10,000 |
| Basic paid old age home | ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 |
| Independent living or retirement community | ₹15,000 to ₹50,000, often plus a deposit |
| Assisted living | ₹30,000 to ₹70,000 |
| Memory care | ₹75,000 and above |
These are indicative ranges, not quotes, so confirm with each home and ask what the fee includes. Our guide to old age home costs in India explains deposits and extra charges.
Old age homes vs modern senior living in Kerala
It helps to know the difference before you choose:
- Old age homes in the traditional sense often focus on shelter, food, and basic care, and many are charitable or government-run for those without support.
- Senior living and assisted living communities are usually private, fee-based, and built around independence, health services, social activity, and safety, aimed at seniors who can pay for a higher standard of living.
Both are part of Kerala's fast-growing elderly care landscape, and the right choice depends on the senior's health, budget, and preferences.
Key facts and stats: old age homes in Kerala
- Kerala has around 700 registered old age homes, the most of any Indian state.
- 16 are government-run; about 680 are registered under the Orphanage Control Board (Economic Review 2024).
- Registered homes grew from about 500 (2015) to 680 (2024).
- Care home residents rose 67%, from 19,149 (2016-17) to 32,032 (2023-24).
- Kerala's old-age dependency ratio is projected to hit 34.3% by 2031.
Frequently asked questions
How many old age homes are there in Kerala?
Kerala has around 700 old age homes, made up of 16 government-run homes and about 680 registered under the Orphanage Control Board, as per the Kerala Economic Review 2024. This is the highest count of any state in India.
Which state has the most old age homes in India?
Kerala. It leads all Indian states in the number of old age homes, driven by its ageing population, high youth migration abroad, and long life expectancy.
Are old age homes in Kerala free?
Some are. Government homes and many charitable or NGO-run homes are free or offer low-cost "pay and stay" options. Private old age homes and senior living communities charge monthly or deposit-based fees. To find a free place, ask the District Social Justice Office in your district.
Who regulates old age homes in Kerala?
The Kerala Social Justice Department runs government homes, while charitable and private homes are registered under the Orphanage Control Board (Board of Control for Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes). Since May 2026, a separate Department of Senior Citizens Welfare also covers old age homes.
Why does Kerala have so many old age homes?
Kerala has India's highest share of elderly people, high youth migration to other countries, longer life spans, and smaller nuclear families, all of which raise the need for elderly care and old age homes.
Is the number of old age homes in Kerala increasing?
Yes. Registered homes grew from about 500 in 2015 to around 680 in 2024, and the number of residents rose by more than 67% between 2016-17 and 2023-24.
Figures are based on the latest available government data, mainly the Kerala Economic Review 2024 and the Directorate of Social Justice. Numbers change as new homes register, so treat these as the most recent official estimates rather than a fixed total.
