Karnataka has an estimated 400+ documented old age homes, and the largest number of them are in Bengaluru. Business listing data records around 402 old age homes across the state. There is no single official count, because the government only tracks the homes it funds, while hundreds of charitable trusts and private senior living homes are counted separately. Karnataka ranks among India's top states for old age homes — alongside Kerala and Tamil Nadu — driven by a fast-ageing population and a large base of Bengaluru seniors living apart from children who have moved away for work.
The number changes from one report to another for a simple reason: no agency counts every home in one place. This guide gives the real figures, where they come from, why an exact number does not exist, and what families across Karnataka should actually look for.
How many old age homes in karnataka: The exact numbers, from the available sources
Each source below measures a slightly different thing, which is why the figures differ.
Of the ~402 old age homes recorded in Karnataka, only about 34 have a website, while 368 do not — a sign that most are small charitable or trust-run homes rather than large branded facilities.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has stated clearly that it does not maintain data on privately managed old age homes. It funds destitute-care homes across states under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), now part of the AVYAY scheme, but there is no published single total of every old age home operating in Karnataka.
So, the honest answer to "how many old age homes in Karnataka" is: around 400 documented homes, likely more once you add unlisted charitable and new private facilities — and Bengaluru holds the biggest share.
Where old age homes are concentrated in Karnataka
Bengaluru has the most old age homes in Karnataka by a wide margin. The city is home to two very different types of care: long-running charitable homes for destitute elders, and modern paid senior living communities.
- Bengaluru — the clear hub, with everything from decades-old charitable homes (some running since the late 1980s) to premium retirement communities on Kanakapura Road, Bannerghatta Road and Sarjapur Road.
- Mysuru — a growing base of retirement and assisted-living homes.
- Mangaluru (Dakshina Kannada) and Udupi — strong coastal cluster, helped by high overseas migration of adult children.
- Hubballi–Dharwad and Belagavi — expanding options in North Karnataka.
Bengaluru's lead is easy to explain. It has a large population of retired professionals, many of whom have children living in other cities or abroad, plus the best concentration of hospitals and trained caregivers in the state.
Why Karnataka has no single exact number
Four practical reasons explain why the count is an estimate.
1. Only government-funded homes are tracked. Homes supported under IPSrC/AVYAY are recorded. Private and self-funded charitable homes are not.
2. Registration is fragmented. Old age homes register with different bodies — the Karnataka Department of Social Welfare / Women and Child Development, charity commissioners, or as trusts and societies. There is no single state registry.
3. "Old age home" means different things. A free charitable vridhashram, a paid retirement home, and a modern assisted-living residence are all called "old age homes." The count rises or falls depending on the definition.
4. The sector is growing fast. New private senior living projects open in and around Bengaluru every year, so any count is out of date within months.
Old age home vs modern senior living: know the difference
This distinction matters, because the "old age home" you picture may not be what your family actually needs.
- Old age home (vridhashram): Traditionally a charitable or trust-run home for destitute or abandoned elders, often free of cost.
- Independent living: For active, healthy seniors who want a safe community with their own space. Explore independent living communities in Bengaluru if the elder can live on their own but wants companionship and security.
- Assisted living: For seniors who need daily help with bathing, medication, meals or mobility. See assisted living homes in Bengaluru for this level of support.
- Memory care: Specialised care for elders with dementia or Alzheimer's.
Many families search for an "old age home in Karnataka" when they really need assisted living or memory care. Getting the category right saves time, money and stress. You can compare all of these in one place and browse verified senior living homes in Bengaluru and across Karnataka by area and care type.
The numbers behind the demand: Karnataka's ageing population
The rise in old age homes across Karnataka is tied directly to the state's ageing population. Southern India is ageing faster than the national average.
- Across India, there were 149 million people aged 60 and above in 2022, projected to double to 347 million by 2050 — one in every five Indians (source: UNFPA India Ageing Report 2023).
- Southern states, including Karnataka, already report a higher share of elderly people than the national average, and this gap is expected to widen by 2036. The old-age dependency ratio in South India is around 20 elderly per 100 working-age people, above the national figure.
- The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) found Karnataka's seniors face serious health challenges: nearly one-third of those aged 60+ have visual or hearing impairment — the highest in the country and double the national average — and close to 10% report ill-treatment, among the highest of any state.
At the same time, joint families are shrinking, adult children are migrating from Karnataka for work, and more elders live alone. Together, these forces push demand for senior care well beyond the current supply of homes.
How much does an old age home in Bengaluru cost?
Costs vary widely by type and location:
- Free / charitable homes: No fee. Meant for destitute elders without family or income. These fill up fast and usually have waiting lists.
- Nominal-fee homes: A small monthly charge for food and basics.
- Paid old age homes / assisted living: Typically range from a few thousand rupees to ₹40,000–₹60,000+ per month in Bengaluru, depending on the area, room type and level of medical care.
- Premium senior living communities: Charge a one-time deposit plus monthly maintenance, and offer amenities like 24/7 nursing, physiotherapy and recreation.
Always ask exactly what is included — meals, nursing, doctor visits, emergency response — before comparing two homes on price alone.
Are old age homes in Karnataka regulated?
Partly. Government-funded homes must follow IPSrC/AVYAY norms and admit indigent elders free of cost. The legal backbone is the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, which makes it a duty for children to care for elderly parents and empowers the state to set up old age homes. Beyond this, day-to-day oversight of private homes sits with the Karnataka state welfare department, and standards can vary from one home to another. This is exactly why families should visit in person, check hygiene and staffing, and verify facilities before deciding.
Key facts at a glance
- ~402 documented old age homes in Karnataka; likely more including unlisted charitable and new private homes.
- Bengaluru has the highest concentration in the state.
- Only about 34 of Karnataka's listed homes have a website — most are small trust-run homes.
- Southern India, including Karnataka, ages faster than the national average.
- India's 60+ population will reach 347 million by 2050.
- Senior care is one of Karnataka's fastest-growing service segments, centred on Bengaluru.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many old age homes are there in Karnataka?
Karnataka has an estimated 400+ documented old age homes, with business listing data recording around 402. The true number is likely higher once unlisted charitable and new private homes are added. No single agency counts every home, so figures vary by source.
Which city has the most old age homes in Karnataka?
Bengaluru has the most old age homes in Karnataka by a wide margin, followed by Mysuru, Mangaluru, Udupi, and the Hubballi–Dharwad and Belagavi regions.
Are old age homes in Karnataka free?
Some are. Charitable and government-funded homes provide free shelter, food and care for destitute elders. Most private old age homes and assisted living facilities, especially in Bengaluru, run on a paid monthly basis.
Is there a government old age home in Karnataka?
Yes. The central government funds NGO-run homes for destitute elders in Karnataka under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), part of the AVYAY scheme. These homes admit indigent elders free of cost, though the government does not publish a single count of all homes in the state.
What is the difference between an old age home and assisted living in Bengaluru?
An old age home traditionally provides basic shelter, food and care, often on a charitable basis. Assisted living is a paid service for seniors who need daily help with tasks like bathing, medication and mobility, with trained staff and medical support on site.
How much does an old age home in Bengaluru cost per month?
Charitable homes can be free. Paid old age homes and assisted living in Bengaluru typically range from a few thousand rupees to ₹40,000–₹60,000+ per month, depending on location, room type and the level of medical care included.
Why is demand for old age homes rising in Karnataka?
The main reasons are a rapidly ageing population (South India ages faster than the national average), the shift from joint to nuclear families, migration of adult children out of Karnataka for work, and a growing number of elders in Bengaluru and other cities living alone.
Sources: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment / IPSrC & AVYAY scheme; UNFPA India Ageing Report 2023; Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI); Karnataka state old age home listing data (2025); Archdiocese of Bangalore homes for the aged directory.
