Kerala High Court: courts must appoint guardians for persons with dementia and Alzheimer's where circumstances warrant

8 October 2026

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala High Court held that courts must appoint a guardian for a person with dementia or Alzheimer's if the condition worsens and the circumstances warrant it.
The petitioner, sister of a 93-year-old bedridden woman with advanced dementia and Alzheimer's, was appointed guardian to handle her sister's bank accounts.
The court directed the General Hospital, Ernakulam, to constitute a Medical Board to report on the patient's condition.
The guardian must file reports once in six months with the Registrar General of the High Court.