Career @ Gerontology/ Geriatric Care – Part 2

Ranjan K Baruah *

Gerontology encompasses studying physical, mental, and social changes in people as they age investigating the biological aging process , effects and mechanisms investigating the social and psycho-social impacts of aging investigating the psychological effects on aging , investigating the interface of biological aging with aging-related diseases , investigating the effects of an ageing population on society applying this knowledge to policies and programs, including the macroscopic (for example, government planning) and microscopic (for example, running a nursing home) perspectives.

The multidisciplinary nature of gerontology means that there are a number of sub-fields, as well as associated fields such as physiology, psychology and sociology that overlap with gerontology. Gerontologists view aging in terms of four distinct processes: chronological aging, biological aging, psychological aging, and social aging.

Chronological aging is the definition of aging based on a person’s years lived from birth. Biological aging refers to the physical changes that reduce the efficiency of organ systems. Psychological aging includes the changes that occur in sensory and perceptual processes, cognitive abilities, adaptive capacity, and personality. Social aging refers to an individual’s changing roles and relationships with family, friends, and other informal supports, productive roles and within organizations.

In simple it is multidisciplinary and is concerned with physical, mental, and social aspects and implications of aging. Geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on care and treatment of older persons. Although gerontology and geriatrics have differing emphases, they both have the goal of understanding aging so that people can maximize their functioning and achieve a high quality of life.

Considering the rising elderly population in India, there is acute need for the individuals who can provide quality care to such individuals. Now when most of the families going nuclear, the elders are left alone to take care of themselves. This also brings opportunity for individuals to build their careers.

Career related to this may be purely medical or social and other support. There are diploma courses like Diploma in Geriatric Care which will produce quality individuals who will provide appropriate service to the elderly population. There are courses related to vocational courses even by leading institute like Tata Institute of Social Science.

The National Institute of Social Defence was set up originally as Central Bureau of Correctional Services in 1961, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in pursuance of the recommendations emerging at various National Forums. It provides One Year PG Diploma in Integrated Geriatric Care and One Month Course on Basic Issues in Geriatric Care. NISD is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth.

With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is clearly required. Just as important, however, is the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. Human rights lie at the core of all efforts in this regard.

When we look at all the data, we could see that there is demand for trained people related to geriatric care. Individuals may start home care and provide services to elderly.

Apart from that there are organisations that are caring for the elderly and those organisations needs trained people. With training, commitment is also needed because this is a service to elderly population and ne must think it as a noble profession.

One must have patience and dedication to this work. One should have listening skills, commitment to excel in their respective field, self confidence and problem solving ability.