The Complex Needs Of Indian Senior Citizens.

India, the world’s second most populous country, has experienced a dramatic demographic transition in the past 50 years, with the population over the age of 60 years almost tripling.
This trend looks set to continue. According to the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States 2011-2036, there are nearly 138 million elderly persons (60 years and above) and the number is expected to increase by 56 million elderly persons in 2031.
An analysis of morbidity patterns by age clearly indicates that the elderly experience a greater burden of ailments (which the National Sample Survey Organisation defines as illness, sickness, injury, and poisoning) compared to other age groups, across genders and geographical locations.
Understanding Elder Needs’ has revealed some important issues pertaining to healthcare for the elderly. Post the pandemic the need for better health protection has strongly emerged with 49% elderly expressing their aspiration for improved health, through better health insurance and better health facilities and 42% stating there should be more support from home. There needs to be an inherent systemic investment in elder healthcare, with more elder friendly facilities and healthcare schemes for elders.
Although privileged elders do have better access to quality healthcare in India, disadvantaged elders experience the opposite. Studies have also shown that widows are disproportionately vulnerable to disability, illness, and poor healthcare utilization due to a number of mobility, comorbidities, employment, property and financial constraints referred to as the genderization of ageing.
Studies on the cultural perceptions of mental health needs among the aged have revealed, that despite being observed, certain mental health deficits are not addressed as requiring healthcare support. There is limited access to mental health services with most care and support being provided only by the family and immediate community. Consequently, dependency anxiety is a common phenomenon among the elderly, i.e., elderly feeling the need to reduce their dependence upon the family and feeling anxious about informing them about their health issues. 
A key physical barrier to healthcare access is that many elderly require home-based care, a need arising largely from illness-related confinement. Furthermore, there is a huge gap that exists between rural and urban India in terms of knowledge and practice of geriatric care.
Failing health and financial dependence of older person calls for higher health insurance coverage but the reality is different. Recent research on equity and elderly health in India has revealed that only 18.9 % elderly had any health insurance, however the expenditure on emergency situations were quite high.
Our country needs to be further sensitized toward the need for comprehensive geriatric care. Active campaigning and advocacy is required to educate the general public on issues of elder healthcare and caregiving, conduct research on gaps, promote legislations, monitor implementation and understand the evolving needs.
In brief, a transition in the health system is needed for comprehensive health care of elderly, including preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services that is accessible, available, affordable and acceptable to them.
We need a new and positive narrative that defies the negativity and transforms our ageing populations from a problem into an asset.
Gavi's Touch Of Health and Fitness:
https://www.facebook.com/2061GaviRangappa/?ti=as
https://t.me/joinchat/V97BioW-aSl5qTNO
https://www.facebook.com/groups/355112542458490/
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