Facts

Basic Facts:

• By 2050, 21% of the world’s population is expected to be 60 years old or over (Source: United Nations)

• India has the 2nd largest aged population in the world (Source: WHO 1999)

• At present, India has more than 77 million senior citizens (Source: HelpAge India)

• In India, the number of senior citizens is expected to touch 177 million by 2025 (Source: WHO 1999)

Ageism & Healthcare:

Health is a key contribution factor to quality of life and is therefore closely associated to low socio-economic conditions. In India, healthcare towards aged individuals are addressed lightly. When one is dealing with senior citizens, there is a difference in the services required by them.

Services need to be more specialized (Geriatrics) and infrastructure needs to be different. But this is not being addressed by the host of corporate, public or private hospitals. Among the medical problems, vision (cataract), diabetes, degenerative joint disease, neurological, cardiovascular and urinary diseases tops the list.

Mental health of older persons is influenced not just by ageing changes in the body and the brain, but by socio-economic and psychological factors