Psychosocial Aspects of Senior Citizens and Perceived Non-productivity Leading to Depression and Cognitive Dysfunction

Abstract

Growth and development of an individual begins from the time of birth and the process continues throughout the life. As the person grows physical and mental development also takes place. With advancement of science and technology and treatment modalities the life expectancy has been increased from 53 years in 1978 to 59 years. As a result of which geriatric population is rapidly increasing in India.After 60 years the productivity of the elderly is reduced. economically they depend on the family members, which leads to psychological upset, and they feel that they don’t have any importance in their family. As the aging population is rapidly increasing it is estimated that it will be increased from 12% to 22% by 2050. So almost 900 million to 2 billion population will be over age of 60 years. Elderly people require special attention to maintain physical and mental health which needs to be recognized by the adult population. Elderly people can easily get affected with depression, dementia, cognitive dysfunction and physical and psychological problems. Aged people who lived alone must get the treatment and proper care when they are unwell. Residents of metropolitan cities are very busy in life. They cannot give the time to their older parents due to the demanding nature of their job. The parents feel neglected as they cannot get the enough care and attention. Sometimes they may face the physical or verbal abuse also, which make them feel rejected. In most of the families they put the old parents to old age homes as they are dependent and developing the physical problems. Old age homes are considered as the sign of rejection and shrinking of responsibilities. Aging is not a disease; it is natural process of change in structural and physiological functions of the body. Senior citizens need love, care, respect and importance and treat as head of the family with respect and dignity