Thiruvananthapuram | All old-age homes functioning under the government and private managements in Keralam will now be called 'Snehalayam' (a home of love).

State Social Justice Minister V E Abdul Gafoor has directed that the name 'old-age home' be replaced with 'Snehalayam' on the signboards and in all official records of such institutions, the minister's office has said in a statement.

The minister also visited a Snehalayam functioning under the Social Justice Department at Poojappura here on Wednesday, it said.

The government decided to rename the institutions as 'Snehalayam' following a recent directive from the State Human Rights Commission to use the term in all documents related to such facilities.

The minister's directive comes after it was found that the Commission's recommendation had not been fully implemented, the statement said.

Gafoor said awareness activities were needed to completely remove the term 'old-age home' from public usage.

He directed that the change of name be ensured on name boards, official websites, publications and other documents used by the public.

The director of the Social Justice Department had earlier informed that the names of old-age homes had been changed to 'Snehalayam' as per a government order. However, the old name was still widely used in several places, prompting the minister's intervention, it said.

The minister said efforts would be made to transform homes for senior citizens into more loving, safe and happy spaces.

"Every senior citizen deserves not a shelter, but a Snehalayam," he added.