Geriatrics: Old age and its management

The definition of old age varies in indifferent zones of the worldwith respect to the cutoff age or the age of onset of old age. Arbitrarily the attainment of the age of 65 years is said to be the knocking point of old age, but the health status of all old people is always influenced by physical and emotional stress. As a general criterion , all people above the age of 75 fall in the category of old. Generally doing all the duties of personal cleanliness and comfort, unassisted is a challenge for some old people. Since 1950 Geriatric medicine has been recognized as a specialty of medicine which focuses on the healthcare of aged citizens. Geriatricians are better trained in the care of elderly patients than the general physicians. The old generally suffer from incapacitating illness. Very few hospitals have special wards for old and the specialty of geriatrics. Many people suffer a decline in their metabolic and immune functions when they get old. The health authorities of all the countries should have comprehensive policy for the care of old people. Our cultural traditions include the respect for parents and the old. The fifth commandment directs, "to honour thy father and mother". The specialized agencies of the U.N. (including I.L.O., F.A.O., U.N.E.S.C.O. and W.H.O.) and many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been doing their best for the general care and medicinal needs of the elderly. NGOs should focus their attention on the vital sectors like personal hygiene, food, optimal clothing, exercise and entertainment in an effort to provide quality life to the inmates of old age homes. The elderly people need our special attention as we do in case of children. There is a need for integration of the specialty of geriatrics with other medical and paramedical services in order to provide appropriate medical expertise to elderly patients.

How Can We Retard The Ageing Process?

Human existence is a divine phenomenon ! Every individual is genetically programmed for birth, growth, ageing, disease and death. The mystery about ageing has been persisting since the time immemorial. Spiritualists, scientists and philosophers are all intrigued to the phenomenon of ageing to find the answers to how and whys of ageing. If we think of four stages of life as: morning , noon, evening and night; the old age could be demarcated as evening of life. In the terms of modern medicine and physiology, the ageing could be termed as an evolution of organs and senses of an individual. In fact the old age and its visible characteristics are symbols of experience and maturity of an individual. Stop worrying about ageing or old age and welcome each day as a beginning of new life. One should have very strong quest for happiness to over come the undue stress and worries. Our mind is always busy and affects our thoughts, feelings and attitude. Be creative and positive in thoughts and actions to immortalize your existence. Human body is a well organized system and its metabolic and vital functions like respiration, cardiac beat, control and maintenance of temperature and various chemical constituents (including enzymes and hormones) are taken care automatically. Various stress factors influence our vital functions and metabolism as well as ageing process due to use and overuse of organs. We can't avoid ageing but can definitely retard it to some extent by busting stress, modifying our lifestyle, eating well-balanced nutritious food and regular exercise. Positive thinking, laughter and entertainment are essential for revitalizing our mind and body. Health and fitness could only be achieved through self discipline. Wish you healthy and youthful living !