Review of health-care services for older population in India and possibility of incorporating AYUSH in public health system for geriatric care

Abstract

Background: In a developing country like India, which has 10.11% population of >60 years age and a projection of rise of the same by 300% in 2050, health care of elderly is an enormous challenge. The developed world has evolved many models for elderly care, for example, nursing home care, health insurance, etc. Indian Government has also taken multiple measures in this direction by initiating National Policy on Older Persons, 1999, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, the Old Age Pension Scheme, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana 2017, etc. However, there is a necessity that, India must rapidly adapt to the complex health related, social and economic challenges caused by these demographic changes. This may be an opportunity for innovation in the health system by developing a perspective for healthy and active aging, though it is a major challenge. Health care of the older people cannot be achieved unless total health, i.e., physical, social, economic, psychological, and spiritual aspects are addressed. Objective: The objective is to study current policies regarding geriatric health care in India and to propose the possibility to develop a model to provide comprehensive and dedicated health-care services to the older population by integrating conventional and indigenous systems of medicine dwelling in the country. Materials and methods: Electronic search in various scientific journals for research and review articles; electronic along with hand searching of conference proceedings, brochures, government policy documents, press releases, Ayurveda classical texts, etc., regarding geriatric health care in India and model health-care facilities in other countries and regarding of AYUSH systems in geriatric health care in India. Results: There is an urgent need of adaptation and modification in the National Health System to cater the actual requirements of the elderly with plans and strategies dedicated to face their health-related challenges. Adoption of inclusive health-care interventions, can improve health outcomes by making it more acceptable, accessible, and affordable. Conclusion: Integration of AYUSH at various levels of health-care delivery system can potentially contribute to provide unique newer dimensions to the field of geriatric care in India.

Indigenous social work with older persons: An international perspective

“…Indigenous social work with older persons should critically focus on wellness or wellbeing of older persons (Costa et al, 2021; Godden, 2021; He et al, 2020; Mundada et al, 2021). Wellness from an indigenous perspective refers to a whole and healthy person expressed through a sense of balance of spirit, emotion, mind and body (Bumont, 2014).…”

A Protocol for Effectiveness of Ayush Rasayana A & B on Quality of Life of elderly population- a cluster randomized study (Preprint)

“…The prevalence of age-related diseases is on an upward trend and the management is limitedly applicable at this age owing to the less reciprocation and underlying multiple disorders such as metabolic-vascular diseases, degenerative diseases of the brain, musculoskeletal system and sensory organs; cancer; chronic lung disease; and greater risk of infectious disease. [ 3 ] In addition to causing symptoms of structural and functional deficiencies, these age-related illnesses cause a reduction in the elderly person's total functional ability and a variety of limitations. Ageing is inevitable and there is an urgent need to find interventions that help in reducing the incidence of debilitating age-related diseases and promote quality of life.…”