PDA

View Full Version : Senior Citizens of Ind-“TOMORROW’S ELDERLY ARE TODAY’S ADULTS



dahiyars
April 8th, 2007, 09:55 PM
Dear All

The senior population of India is increasing. Some thaughts on the issues relating them is relevant.
One of the major impacts of corporate led economic globalization and market led autonomous liberalization is the increasing dehumanization of society where value of life, people, environment, relationships work is increasingly seen in mercenary terms.

Those who cannot contribute in economic terms are devalued eg., women,poor, disabled and the elderly.

For a generation that has been conditioned in a social environment where elderly were respected and addressed as BUZURG and not as ‘old’ who are considered a liability this change in last few decades specially the last decade has been drastic and demeaning, epitomized poignantly in Baghban.

It is important to see the health needs of the elderly in existing present social context and economic reality.

As 75% people live in rural areas majority of elderly are also in rural areas and a significant percentage is women and many are widows, illiterate, unaware of their rights as citizens.

The health needs of the elderly have been neglected in the past and much more at present as institutions set up for their support collapse as the institution of joint family had provided a role as grand parents, as useful members of a family of which they continued to be considered member make same meaningful contribution with their mere presence.

This loss of a meaningful role resulting in loneliness, depression, anxiety and insecurity. This aspect of emotional mental health is considered more serious than the physical health problems of the elderly.

The erosion of human values of care, compassion, concern, consideration, kindness, selflessness, sharing, sacrifice, harmony, integrity in a changing paradigm where ‘money’ ‘power’ ‘property’ by hook or crook defines success – the losers are those who need the caring and compassion.

Health problems of the elderly

In India there is a dual burden of disease communicable and also degenerative.

As immune functions decline and atrophic changes take place in the various organs, poor malnutrition there is an increase in vulnerability to infections. Degenerative changes take place Cardio vascular diseases, hyper tension, dental problems, hardness of hearing, joint pains, poor digestion.

Disorders of respiratory system were found to be the most common INFECTIUON. Among the infection diseases Pneumonia is 50 times more common in the elderly than in adolescents and 50% of the respiratory deaths excluding Cancer are accounted for by this.

Mental Health

Depression, delirium psychosis, dementia, constitute some of the mental health cancers of the elderly.

10% of the elderly suffer from depression and 40-50% elderly need psychological or psychometric intervention.

Paranoid Schizophrenia alcohol abuse, anxiety disorders following physical illness, loss of spouse resulting in loss of confidence.

• ALZHEIMERS
• DELIRIUM more common in women
• DEPRESSION is more common in women - 2.5% as compared to 2.12% in men

Magnitude of Health Problem

NSS findings on chronic disease and physical mobility shows that

• 44 to 47% elderly males were physically immovable as compared to 67-68% females.
• Proportion of elderly with chronic diseases was 44.3 to 45.5%
• Joint problems 46.96%
• Coughs and related complaints 34.47%


To address the health problems of the elderly there has to be a lifecycle approach.

Healthy aging must be emphasized.

R.S.Dahiya