basics of geriatric health

1. Geriatric Health
Dr. Abhishek Tiwari,
Assistant Professor
Department of Community Medicine
MLN Medical College, Prayagraj

2. Learning Objectives
● Know what is Geriatric Medicine
● The magnitude of problem & reasons behind it
● Various health problems in elderly
● To appreciate that these problems & solutions are different
from other age groups.
● Approach to prevent these problems
● Able to discuss recent advances

3. Geriatric Medicine
● From the Greek "geron" meaning "old man"+"iatreia"
meaning" the treatment of disease.
● The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis,
treatment & prevention of disease in older people &
problems specific to ageing.
● Gerontology - study of physical & psychological changes
incident to old age.

4. Ageing & Senescence
● A natural process.
● Biological age ⇎ Chronological age
● Ageing = growing old
● Senescence = deterioration in vitality or biological
efficiency that accompanies ageing.
● WHD theme 2012 “Ageing & Health”

5. Healthy Ageing
● WHO defines healthy ageing as “the process of developing
& maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing
in older age.”
● Functional ability is about having the capabilities that
enable all people to be & do what they have reason to value.
● A comprehensive Global Strategy & Action Plan on Ageing
& Health has been developed by WHO

6. Magnitude
● Between 2015 - 2050, proportion of world's
population > 60 years will double 12% to 22%.
● By 2020, people aged 60 years & older will
outnumber children younger than 5 years.
● In 2050, 80% of older people will be living in LMIC

7. Magnitude
● The pace of population ageing is much faster than in
the past.
● 1st October – International day of older persons
● 15th June – world elder abuse day
● The United Nations General Assembly declared
2021–2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing

8. Demographic Transition
● Demographic cycle – India in 3rd stage (DR decline
but BR also fall, population still grows)
● Overall Life expectancy – 70.8 India
● Healthy Life expectancy - 60.3 India
● Socio-economic development
● High standard of living

9. Health issues of aged
● Problems due to ageing
● Problems associated with long term illness
● Psychological problems

10. Problems due to ageing
● Senile cataract,
● Glaucoma,
● Nerve deafness,
● Osteoporosis affecting mobility,
● Emphysema.
● Failure of special senses,
● Changes in mental outlook……...many more

11. Problems associated with long term illness
● Degenerative diseases of heart & blood vessels
● Cancer
● Accidents
● Diabetes
● Diseases of locomotor system
● Respiratory illnesses
● Genitourinary system………….many more

12. Psychological problems
● Mental changes
● Sexual adjustment
● Emotional disorders

13. The I’s of geriatric morbidities
● Instability
● Inanition ( malnutrition )
● Intellectual impairment
● Impoverishment (! Earnings)
● Incontinence
● Incoherence (delirium)
● Insulin resistance (DM)
● Immobility

14. The preventive approach in Geriatrics
● Lifestyle & healthy ageing
● Diet & nutrition
● Exercise
● Weight
● Smoking
● Alcohol
● Social activities

15. Policy & Programmes
● National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) – 1999,2011
● Maintenance & welfare of parents & senior citizens 2007
● National Program for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) –
2010
● The Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens
Act, 2007- provisions for maintenance & welfare of parents &
senior citizens

16. Working for elderly
● Special Q at public amenities
● Senior citizen concession in travelling
● Rebate in Income Tax, old age pension schemes, insurance
cover for elderly
● Old age homes, SHG by Government & NGO
● NGOs like Help age India
● Much more needs to be done

18. Implications of ageing

19. The Potential for disease prevention