An increase in the number and proportion of older people has a significant impact on all
dimensions of society. The demographic transition that we are observing in recent times is
mainly due to a decline in premature mortality, medical innovations, including vaccination and
discovery of antibiotics, and improvements in sanitation, housing and nutrition. Simultaneously,
there has been an increase in the availability, accessibility and aff ordability of quality health care.
With the advancement of age, there is often a general physical decline and people become less
active. Further, due to the loss of loved ones, health problems, trouble in socializing and keeping
oneself economically active or other reasons, many older people feel lonely, sad and stressed.
An increasing number and proportion of older people in the population, with their specific
health problems and health-care demands, presents a challenging situation on a global scale.
There is an urgent need to integrate geriatric care services in our health-care delivery system.
Geriatric care focuses on the quality of life, control of disease and other distressing symptoms,
and provides attention to the psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of geriatric patients
and their families.