Concerns In Geriatric Care That India Needs To Tackle Right Now

There has been a steady growth in the elderly population in India. As per the Census of India, the geriatric population has increased from 7.6 crores in 2001 to 10.4 crores in 2011, with an exponential growth anticipated in the coming years.

The elderly population today accounts for over 8 per cent of the country’s population. This growth is attributed to the progress that we’ve made in the health care services space. The extended lifespan and the fading away of the joint family have resulted in unfortunate consequences for the elderly. With the advent of new technologies, there is an increase in longevity, but the quality of life is not given due care.  

In this fast-moving materialistic world, people have less time to tend to their elderly parents. There is a pressing need to pay attention to the wellbeing of the senior cohort.

Owing to the changing lifestyles, diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Dementia, earlier prevalent in the western countries, are now penetrating the Indian population. However, the infrastructure and support system for the said diseases are yet to be regulated in India. 

According to recent statistics on elderly population by the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, around 75 per cent of the elderly population lives in rural areas and 66 per cent of senior citizens in India are in a vulnerable situation without adequate food, clothing, or shelter. About 90 per cent of the elderly belong to the unorganized sector, i.e., they have no regular source of income. 

The health care system in India has a dearth of geriatric care, which is limited to tertiary care hospitals alone. Also, most of the government facilities such as daycare centres, old age homes, counselling centres and recreational facilities are based in urban areas. Since a large percentage of the elderly reside in rural areas, geriatric health care services should be made available at primary care hospitals.

This then necessitates specialised training of health care professionals in geriatric medicine. Peripheral health workers and community health volunteers should also be trained to identify and refer elderly patients for timely and proper treatment. To address the health issues of the elderly who can afford medical treatment, a geriatric master health check-up, screening tests for mental illnesses such as dementia and depression should also be included.

Loneliness is a major illness among the elderly. In many cases, it takes a heavy toll on their physical and mental health, resulting in depression. Hence retirement homes today should focus on alleviating the depression by ensuring regular counselling sessions for the residents.

As service providers, we have adopted a balanced, three-pronged approach.

We care for their physical wellbeing by encouraging physical movement through regularly organised activity sessions including but not limited to yoga, Tai-Chi, dance.

We take care of their mental wellbeing by organising movie screenings, entertainment programmes, music concerts and chanting sessions.

We stimulate their intellectual thinking by organising discussions on various topics to encourage exchange between senior citizens and younger generations.

Besides connecting with the youth through debates, we also enable our residents to teach the children studying in nearby government schools. 

There is a need for spreading awareness about caring for the elderly and respecting their contribution to society. It is not just the government’s responsibility, but the responsibility of the community as a whole. Specialised geriatric is the need of the hour, thereby necessitating the need for research and progress in the space, as in any other field.

Dr. Karthiyayini Mahadevan

Guest Author The author is the Head of Wellness and Well-being at Columbia Pacific Communities.