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Understanding Geriatric Care

Geriatric care refers to the healthcare of individuals aged 60 and above, though in the Indian context, the threshold may reasonably be lowered to 58 years. It encompasses preventive care, home health services, and advanced long-term care components. Defined this way, geriatric care is a vital element influencing not only healthcare but also the nation's GDP.

Scope of Geriatric Care

Contrary to common belief, geriatric care goes far beyond assisting seniors with bathing or walking aids. It focuses on preserving healthy years—often called the precious years—which make up about one-third of the lifespan. These years can be challenging or rewarding. The outdated passive, ad hoc approach to elder care is fading. Rising living standards and the desire for quality years mean people should stay healthy as long as possible, regardless of age. Hence the principle: biological age overrides chronological age.

Current Status

Among all healthcare segments, geriatric care is the least organized and least funded. Evidence: only a few dozen doctors are registered as geriatricians in the medical council, while pediatricians number in the thousands (numbers to be verified). It is paradoxical that the segment with the greatest need receives the least attention. (Global and national percentages of pediatricians to be inserted by Healthygx team.) These staggering numbers show we are far from meeting requirements, as reflected in the limited number of elder care homes, assisted living facilities, and businesses exclusively serving this age group.

Future Predictions

Beyond institutional analyses and statistics, common sense dictates that a country with the largest youth population will eventually have the largest elderly population. It is only a matter of time before India feels the impact. Projections: 2001 Census >60 yrs 7.7%, 2011 8.14%, 2021 – 133.32 million, 2031 – 178.59 million, 2041 – 236.01 million, 2051 – 300.96 million. These figures indicate a brewing crisis, and appropriate steps must be initiated by the government and, more importantly, by every individual. It is society's collective responsibility to prepare for impending healthcare challenges. In coming years, we will see more assisted living facilities and pre-terminal and terminal illness care facilities. Geriatrics will evolve as a specialty, with independent businesses developing exclusive geriatric services. In India, 64% of hospital visits can be addressed in a home-based environment. Advancements in home healthcare services are expected to lower the healthcare burden and create high market revenue opportunities for home healthcare players.

Challenges & Opportunities

The biggest challenge is failing to recognize the enormity of the problem, which delays timely measures by government and society. The second biggest challenge is the pace at which the crisis unfolds. We will live in an era of continuing infectious diseases, contagious diseases superimposed by non-communicable, lifestyle, and age-related diseases—unlike the Western world's phasic evolution. The financial burden is the next major challenge. Most of this segment is economically unproductive and may be largely dependent. Investment in this segment can be seen as investment with higher returns. Challenges and opportunities are two sides of the same coin. Geriatric care is a huge business opportunity given the sheer population scale and money involved. There is potential for customized industry development including real estate, services, employment, and more. Technology will be at the heart of this emerging business and economy.

Responsibilities

How we care for our parents is how our children will care for theirs. Beyond economy and business opportunity, there is a significant human responsibility in caring for our elderly—which directly means caring for ourselves.

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