Challenges, Challenged, and Empowerment - Master of Social Work - Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit

1. settings and
institution for
old age people
Rehabilitation Practices
and Interventions

2. Introduction
The world’s population is living longer and growing older. Embracing and planning
for this massive demographic transition is one of the greatest social challenges of the
21st century. India has the highest number of young people, ageing is rapidly
progressing. The current elderly population of 153 million (aged 60 and above) is
expected to reach a staggering 347 million by 2050 (Andrea Wojnar, Representative,
UNFPA India, 2023).
Process of ageing transforms a healthy body into a fragile one.

3. What is Ageing?
Think about it and share the answer!
Aging, progressive physiological changes in an organism that lead to senescence, or a decline of
biological functions and of the organism’s ability to adapt to metabolic stress - Britannica.
Aging can be defined as the time-related deterioration of the physiological functions necessary
for survival and fertility - NLM.
In 1991, the book Evolutionary Biology of Aging offered the following definition of aging: a
persistent decline in the age-specific fitness components of an organism due to internal
physiological deterioration (Rose, 1991).

4. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, in collaboration with the International
Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), unveiled the “India Ageing Report 2023” -
insights into elderly care challenges and solutions.
The population of people aged 80+ years will grow at a rate of around 279% between
2022 and 2050 with a “predominance of widowed and highly dependent very old women”.
“Poverty is inherently gendered in old age when older women are more likely to be
widowed, living alone, with no income and with fewer assets of their own, and fully
dependent on family for support,” the report said.
India is set to become a rapidly ageing society, with the elderly population projected to
surpass the children's population by mid-century, according to a United Nations report.
The share of the elderly population (60+ years) is expected to increase from 10.1% in 2021
to 15% in 2036 and 20.8% in 2050.
Ageing in India

5. Representing a population
India ageing, elderly to make up 20% of population by 2050:
UNFPA report.
POPULATION AGED

6. Quick Check
Additional Info
The aging process is
often associated with
declining health, loss
of independence,
dwindling social roles,
isolation and feeling
of loneliness.
Over the years the profile of older persons has changed vehemently. Resultantly, the elderly
population has become a wide mix of varied categories from different groups, viz. – rich/poor,
literate/illiterate, rural/ urban, working/ non-working.
F A C T S
Older people can be divided into three broad categories as under
-
Active and healthy – self-dependent, recently retired, in need
of gainful engagement opportunities, (primarily in the age
group of 60-70 yrs)
Self-dependent – financially self-dependent, unable to work,
with health issues (primarily 70-80 years age group)
Dependent – disabled, sick, infirm (primarily 80+)

7. 1961-71 1971-81 1981-91 1991-01 2001-11 2011-21 2021-31
0
10
20
30
40
D E C A D A L G R O W T H O F E L D E R L Y P O P U L A T I O N 1 9 6 1 - 2 0 3 1
s o u r c e : i n d i a a g e i n g r e p o r t 2 0 2 3

8. 0 5 10 15 20
South
West
India
North
East
Central
North-East
Others
O L D A G E D E P E N D E N C Y R A T I O A C R O S S R E G I O N S
s o u r c e : i n d i a a g e i n g r e p o r t 2 0 2 3
N u m b e r o f e l d e r l y p e r 1 0 0 w o r k i n g a g e p o p u l a t i o n

9. S E X R A T I O O F G E N E R A L A N D E L D E R L Y P O P U L A T I O N
s o u r c e : i n d i a a g e i n g r e p o r t 2 0 2 3
General Elderly
1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021 2031
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200

11. Post-acute care is care
immediately after
hospital discharge for
people who need more
care than they can get
at home but do not
clearly need long-term
care.
Settings for the Care
Health care for older people may be provided in a variety of settings.
Practitioner’s office
Hospitals - Pharmacists, Dietitians, Physical therapists, Occupational therapists,
Social workers, Medical technicians, Nurses’ aides, Volunteers
Rehabilitation facilities
Community services

12. Never
35%
Nearly Always
26.6%
Rarely
13.9%
Sometimes
12.9%
Quiet Frequently
11.6%
Nationwide survey by HelpAge India - Most Indians not happy about having
to care for Aged/Elders
Ageing is a natural phenomenon with opportunities
and challenges. According to Census 2011, India
has 104 million older people (60+years),
constituting 8.6% of total population. Amongst the
elderly (60+), females outnumber males.
Increase in longevity and decline of joint family
and breakdown in social fabric pushes seniors into
loneliness and neglect.

13. a set of interventions
designed to optimize
functioning and reduce
disability in individuals with
health conditions in
interaction with their
environment
CITATION
World Health
Organization,
2023
Rehabilitation

14. R E M E M B E R
Ensuring healthy lives and
promoting well-being for all at all
ages
3rd Sustainable Development Goal.
Rehabilitation encompasses the
following:
Geriatric health facilities
offering visual aids/mobility
aids
Psychotherapy services
Delivering health education
Rehabilitation is a crucial component of
universal health coverage

15. Every — aged/elderly faces loneliness and social isolation
Interventions
Financial security
Income tax
Microfinance
Retirement benefits
Pension Plans
Shelter/Housing
Healthcare and Nutrition
Welfare and Education
lack of adequate-affordable healthcare
services
low social security,
support networks, financial insecurity
elder abuse, neglect, exploitation
stigma, stereotypes, discrimination
AREAS OF INTERVENTION
CHALLENGES
SOCIAL - FINANCIAL - HEALTH

16. Interventions in Kerala
Vayomithram project
This project provides health care and support to people over 65 years
old living in municipal areas.
Vayoraksha scheme
This scheme addresses discrimination, exploitation, neglect, and
abuse of senior citizens.
Senior Citizen Home (Old Age Care)
This facility at India Hospital provides care for elderly bed ridden
patients and rehabilitation for people post stroke.
Elder Line
This toll-free national helpline (14567) provides interventions for
abuse of the elderly.

17. Measures for the Aged
AGEWELL FOUNDATION
71% Health related problems
65% Financial stress
63% Social problems
43% Psychological problems
Family based caregiving —
filial piety is regarded as a
virtue — institutional care is a
last choice
Retirement pension, Family pension, Old-
age pension, Health insurance, Medical
benefits, Disability benefits, Widow
pension, Food stamps Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
Housing assistance

18. Policies, Programs, and Schemes
for the social security of the elderly
population
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Example
The 200 students’ names
may be listed alphabetically
then every 3rd student will
be part of the sample.
NATIONAL POLICY FOR OLDER PEOPLE
INTEGRATED PROGRAM FOR ELDERLY
MAINTENANCE AND WELFARE OF
PARENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS ACT
NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR HEALTHCARE
OF ELDERLY
PLAN OF INTEGRATED SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAM
& SENIOR CITIZENS’ STATE ACTION PLAN
ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAYA YOJANA
RASHTRIYA VAYOSHRI YOJANA

19. Social Work and Aged
Social Work focuses on elderly populations to holistically address their
changing physical and mental needs.
Social work is a profession
that promotes social
change, social cohesion,
and the empowerment of
people.
Social workers who
work with aging
populations are
called geriatric social
workers
Gerontological social
workers provide
counseling and therapy to
clients to help them cope
with the psychological,
emotional, social and
financial challenges that
come with aging.
Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov
coined in 1903–study
of the social, cultural,
psychological,
cognitive, and
biological aspects of
ageing.

20. Conclusion
Social workers working with this population must address grief,
loss, and isolation with their clients to provide better mental
health care. The aging population faces many unique challenges.
Finances, health, mental health, and political considerations must
all be considered when social workers provide services to the
aging population. Growing older is inevitable, however, social
workers can make the process smoother than those who have
entered the later stages of life.
Not only are older adults more
prone to diseases that impact
physical health and cognition, but
the population has its own unique
set of mental health concerns.
As we age, there are also mental
health concerns that are a direct
result of growing older. Depression is
common among the aging population
due to a variety of reasons.
Grief and loss are two
contributing factors to elder
depression. Isolation is also a
contributing factor for depression.
MENTAL HEALTH
PHYSICAL HEALTH
GRIEF, LOSS,
ISOLATION

21. Discussion
How can we address the
growing issues of the
aged population in India?
Provide at least two solutions.

22. Reference
Schemes for the Welfare of Senior Citizens. (n.d.). https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1806506
Verma, R., & Khanna, P. (2013). National Program of Health-Care for The Elderly in India: A Hope for Healthy
Ageing. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 4(10), 1103–1107.
Ingle, G. K., & Nath, A. (2008). Geriatric Health in India: Concerns and Solutions. Indian Journal of Community
Medicine: Official Publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine, 33(4), 214–218.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.43225
Plos. (2024, January 16). Elderly empowerment: Why geriatric care needs more focus in India - your say. Your Say.
https://yoursay.plos.org/2023/10/elderly-empowerment-why-geriatric-care-needs-more-focus-in-india/
Livemint. (2023, September 28). India’s elderly population to double by 2050, surpassing number of children, warns
report | Mint. Mint. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indias-elderly-population-to-double-by-2050-surpassing
number-of-children-warns-report-11695865492972.html
Malik, C., Khanna, S., Jain, Y., & Jain, R. (2021). Geriatric Population in India: Demography, Vulnerabilities, and
Healthcare Challenges. Journal of Family Medicine and Primarycare, 10(1), 72–76.
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1794_20
Geriatric Social Work: A Guide to Social Work with Older Adults. (2023, July 11). CORP-MSW1 (OMSWP).
https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/careers/geriatric-social-work-elderly
Bakerjian, D. (2023, December 6). Settings for care for older people. MSD Manual Consumer Version.
https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-in/home/older-people%E2%80%99s-health-issues/providing-care-to-older-
people/settings-for-care-for-older-people

23. thank you
any doubts?