Issues in geriatric care in India Dr. Chaudhary Bhupinder1, Dr. Kumar Rachna2 1Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Management, H.N.G. University, Patan-(Gujarat) India 2Dean, California School of Management and Leadership, Alliant International University, Pomerado Road, San Diego Online published on 20 June, 2019. Abstract As the second most populous country in the world (next only to China), population of India is 1.21 billion (2011). In the age group of 60 years and above, the population has increased by about 55% in the last 15 years. Contrary to this, the working population (15–59 years) has grown by 42.34% in the last 15 years. The old age dependency ratio, which measures the number of elderly people as a portion of those of working age, stands at 0.132 (01 March 2012), which is expected to be over 0.20 (by 2050). With the increase in life expectancy and decline in death rate, there is an increased demand for care-givers to provide care to the elderly. According to prediction by demographers, globally, inabout another 25 years, the population aged 65 years and above will be double the population under age of 5 years. So, we would need more geriatricians than pediatricians in the next few years. In the Indian context, the situation is acquiring a critical status, as the healthcare system is still not geared for geriatric care as a separate specialization. Eventually, the number of geriatricians in public and private sector is minimal and grossly inadequate to ensure a reasonable level of healthcare to the ageing nation. This article is an attempt to enlist and analyse the salient features of Geriatric care system in the Indian context, the problem associated with it and probable solutions to these issues. Top |