About the Book

This book discusses gerontological issues and challenges impacting the quality of life of older people in India. The chapters provide different disciplinary insights ranging from sociology, anthropology, psychology, health sciences, social work, demography, gender, and legal perspectives. The chapters are written by experts and practitioners in the field bringing focus to new gerontological insights from an academic and an empirical perspective. It engages the reader with the growth of different branches of gerontology along with concerns faced by older people. It brings attention to concerns related to ageing of the population in different parts of the country, such as among the tribes, the LGBT community, and conflict zones. It highlights gender aspects related to health care and discusses policy responses, strategies to empower older persons, the role of voluntary organizations, issues related to caregiving and family bonding, and aspects of social protection for the older people. It offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics, practitioners, and policymakers in the areas of gerontology, demography, and sociology, as well as all those interested in the study of ageing populations.

Contents

1.Understanding the Field of Gerontology in India-Mala Kapur Shankardass

2. Growth of Geriatrics and Old Age Care in India-A. B. Dey

3.Gerontological Nursing in India: Inception and Trends-Sandhya Gupta

4.Ageing India: Psychological Concerns and Responses-Indira Jai Prakash

5.Gerontological Social Work in India: The Emerging Trends-S. Siva Raju, Vibha Singh

6.Demographic Dimensions and Gerontological Issues in India-S. Irudaya Rajan, S. Sunitha

7.Health and Social Concerns in Elderly Men-Prabhat Gautam Roy, Rakshit Bhardwaj, Ashish Goel

8.Health Issues and Services for Women in Old Age-Jasbir Kaur

9.Emerging Problem of Dementia and Challenges of Care Services-Meera Pattabiraman, R. Narendhar

10.Social Protection for Ageing Population in India: Concerns and Recommendations-Anurag Priyadarshee, Kavim Bhatnagar

11.Elderly as Family Caregivers: Burden and Challenges in India-Ankita Kumari, T. V. Sekher

12.The Role of ‘Weak Social Bonds’ in Perpetuating Fear of Crime: An Investigation of the Aged in Lucknow-Anindya J. Mishra, Avanish Bhai Patel

13.Voluntary Organisations Working for Older Persons in India: A Case Study of HelpAge India-Anupama Datta

14.Empowerment of the Elderly-Kiran Puri

15.Ageing and Armed Conflict: Understanding the Problems of Parents of Disappeared Persons in Kashmir-Saima Farhad, Shazia Manzoor

16.Ageing Related Mental Health Issues in the LGBTQ+ Community-Reetika Dikshit, Pragya Lodha, Avinash De Sousa

17.Ageing Among a Marginalized Scheduled Tribe: An Anthropological Perspective-Chandana Sarmah

18.Policy, Programs and Future Directions for Ageing Population-Vinod Kumar

About the Author / Editor

Mala Kapur Shankardass is a sociologist, gerontologist, and health and development social scientist. She recently retired as Associate Professor from University of Delhi, India. She is a writer, researcher, consultant, and an activist. She has been involved with ageing studies since 1992 when she started postdoctoral work on ageing issues. She has done prestigious assignments with United Nations agencies and international as well as national institutions covering gender issues, policy matters, health and well-being-related concerns, quality of life matters, enabling environments, societal responses, etc. She has participated in panel discussions, delivered key note addresses, and chaired sessions on ageing concerns with reputed organizations in both India and abroad. She has been recognized for her work and contributions in gerontology across the world. She is also associated with NGOs working on ageing issues and for the welfare of older people.