The document discusses health problems faced by the elderly, including age-related diseases, chronic illnesses, and psychological issues. It emphasizes the importance of lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and social engagement in promoting healthy aging. Additionally, it outlines national policies and programs in India aimed at supporting older adults, including pensions, healthcare facilities, and community support initiatives.

1. Health Problems In
Elderly
Presented by:
• Roll no. 19040 to 19046

2. Introduction
 Ageing is a progressive and generalised
impairment of body function resulting in
loss of adaptive responses to stress and
increasing the risk of age related
diseases.
 Geriatrics –
Means the care of Aged.It is derived
from Greek word ‘geras’ means ‘old age’
and ‘iatros’ means ‘doctor’.

3. A) Problems due to aging process
With the passage of time , certain
biological changes take place in the
human body that eventually lead to
death.
Ageing is associated with
deterioration in vitality and
lowering of biological efficiency.

4. Some of the disabilities incident to aging
process are :
 Senile cataract leading to diminished or
complete loss of vision
 Glaucoma
 Emphysema
 Osteoporosis which affects the mobility

5.  Changes in the mental outlook
 Failure of special senses
 Nerve deafness

6. B) Problems associated with long term
illness
Some chronic diseases are more
frequent among the older people
than younger people.
1. Degenerative diseases of heart
and blood vessels : eg.
Atherosclerosis and narrowing of
vessels leads to diminished blood
supply, thromus formation, rupture of
blood vessels and high BP.

7. 2. Cancer:
 It is the leading cause of death in
developed countries.
 Incidence of cancer rises after 40
years of age.
 Prostate cancer is common after
65 years of age.

8. 3. Accidents :
 Due to aging process, the bones of
elderly people become fragile due to
decalcification as a result of which
bones break easily.
 More common in home than
outside.
 Most common problem is fracture
of femur.

9. 4. Diabetes :
 Leading cause of death as the
population grows older.
 75% of diabetics are over 50
years of age.

10. 5. Diseases of locomotor system :
 Common in elderly.
 Cause more discomfort and
disability than any other chronic
disease in elderly.
 Example: Rheumatoid
arthritis,Gout, myositis,fibrositis,
osteoarthritis,etc.

11. 6. Respiratory illnesses :
Chronic bronchitis, asthma and
emphysema are of major importance.

12. 7. Genitourinary system :
Enlargement of prostate, dysuria,
nocturia, frequent and urgency of
micturition are common complaints.

13. C) Psychological Problems:
 Mental Illnes:
1. Impaired memory
2. Rigidity of outlook
3. Dislike of changes
 Sexual Adjustment:
Between 40-50 years there is
menopause in females and decrease in
sexual activity in males

14. It leads to irritability, jealousy, physical
& emotional disturbances.
 Emotional Disorder:
1. Results from social maladjustment
2. Failure to adapt can results in
bitterness, depression,or even
suicide.

15. Lifestyle and Healthy Ageing
People can do a great deal to influence the
individual risk of developing many of the
diseases of later life by paying careful
attention to lifestyle factors
These Factors are :

16. 1.Diet and Nutrition
 A good diet reduces the chances of
developing the diseases of old age.
 The diet should be balanced with less
saturated fats and oils; should contain
lots of fruits and vegetables; salt and
sugar should be less; include plenty of
calcium rich food; eat high fibre diet.

17. 2.Exercise
 It helps maintain good health as –
1. it helps to control weight
2. Improves emotional well being and
releives stress
3. Improves blood circulation
4. Increases flexibility and improves
balance
5. Lowers BP and blood sugar levels
6. Improves bone density

18. 3.Weight
 Overweight and obesity
have become major
problem world wide ,it
contributes to many
diseases of later life.
 Obesity is an important
factor in heart
diseases,stroke,hypertens
ion,diabetes,arthritis and
breast cancer.

19. 4.Refrain fromTobacco and Alcohol
use
 Tobacco consumption either in smoke or
smokeless form is associtaed with oral,
lung and esophageal cancer
 Alcohol consumption is associated with
liver diseases, stomach ulcer,gout,
depression, osteoporosis, heart diseases,
breast cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.
 Older people are more sensitive to effects
of alcohol then younger people.

20. 4. Participation in social activites
 In old age ,people tend to get socially
isolated.
 Therefore an active effort should be
made to mingle with others of the
same age group.
 Being part of support group is
encouraged.
 Family members should also make an
active effort to involve the elders in all
the family activities.

21. Care Of Dependent Adults In INDIA

22. National Policies For Older People
1.National Policy on Older Person
 Announced by GOI in Jan 1999
 Identifies principle areas of intervention like
1. financial security
2. Healthcare
3. Nutrition and shelter
4. Education and welfare
5. Protection of life and property of older
citizens

23.  The programme for the first time
recognizes formation of self
groups,association of older persons for
advancement of their rights and utilization
of their experience and services
 234 old age homes , 398 daycare centres ,
40 mobile medical units are operational.

24. 2.National Social Assistance
Programme
Old age pension is being provided
to more than 4 million destitute
elderly all over the country,
amount varies from state to state

25. 3.Old age social and income
security project
 Was launched comprehensively
examine policy questions connected
with old age income security

26. 4.Health Care facilities are
provided by -
 Bhavishya Arogya Mediclaim
 Rural group life insurance scheme

27. 5.Indira Gandhi National Old Age
Pension Scheme
 Was launched on 19 November 2007
 To provide monthly pension to people
over 65 years and living below poverty
line.
 Cover about 1.57 crore people

28. 6.Helpage India
 Biggest voluntary organization
working for cause and care of senior
citizens facing disadvantages
 It supports the following
programmes to make life easier for
older people-
-Free cataract operations
-Mobile medicare units
-Income generation and micro credits

29. -Old age homes and day care centres
-Adopt a gran
-Disaster mitigation

30. Reference:
 Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social
Medicine( Edition 26).
 Images from Google.

31. THANKYOU