Medico Social Study of Aged Persons: A Case Study from Serampore City

Abstract

Ageing is a biological process, experienced by mankind. Ageing is a dynamic process, determined by the relative size of the younger and older. However, concern for Ageing of population is a relatively new phenomenon, which has raised due to significantly large increase in the number and proportion of aged persons in the society. The phenomenon of population Ageing is becoming a major concern for the policy makers all over the world during the last two decades. Ageing of population is affected due to downward trends in fertility and mortality i.e. due to low birth rates with long life expectancies. Life expectancy at birth is projected to continue to rise in the coming years all over the world. The aged population has specific health problems that are basically different from those of adults or young persons. Most diseases in the aged are chronic in nature-cardiovascular, arthritis, stroke, cataract, deafness, chronic infections, cancer. Disease process is usually multiple. Availability and utilization of health services is an important determinant of the health status of population. The needs for health services tend to vary directly with the age of the individuals. The older the one gets, the more health care he needs. Although the aged people face multiple health problems, even then, they do not consider seeking medical aid and as a result, many conditions remain unreported and untreated till they become complicated.