Few Diseases Found Largely Amongst the Elderly

No one remains young forever we see this in the fact of life playing out in the rapid increase in the number of the elderly as well as their proportion in our population. This has led us to being more conscious of the many social, economic, psychological and health problems of the elderly in our country. Of these problems, health and medical problems are generally considered to be more important as they affect a large majority of the elderly.

As a person grows old, his body becomes vulnerable to various age-related diseases. Any measures to improve the state of the elderly have to keep the health needs of the elderly in focus; it is necessary therefore to solicit their opinion in improving the existing health care system in the country.

Following are few diseases largely found in people who are and beyond 60-65 years of age:

1. Cataract: The most prevalent of all old age diseases is weakening of the eyesight. Today more than 90% of the elderly people face the problem of weak eyesight which leads to the more serious problem like cataract. Cataract is a problem which takes many years to develop and generally remain unnoticed at first. An old man suffering from cataract will have a blurred or cloudy vision. They find it very difficult to see in very dim or very bright light. Cataract often leads to deteriorating vision in both eyes, though each eye may be affected differently.There are many hospitals in India which provide cataract surgery at a very low cost. As a matter of fact, cataract operation is absolutely free in many government run hospitals of the country. However, most rural elderly are unaware of this service in their local government hospitals. In addition, some NGOs have stepped in to offer both screening camps for cataract detection and tied up with eye hospitals to offer minimal cost cataract surgeries.
   
   
2. Cancer: Though cancer is a disease which can strike at any age, the elders are particularly prone to it. Earlier, it was assumed that cancer was non-curable. Present advances in medicine have made many forms of cancer amenable to cure and today there are many hospitals in which cancer care treatment is done routinely. Therefore, by seeking treatment under the supervision and recommendations of senior doctors, an elderly man can hope for a cure, if the disease is detected early. NGOs dedicated to elder welfare have tied up with some hospitals to provide treatment and palliative care for such patients.
   
   
3. Arthritis: One of the most common problems in old age is the onset of arthritis. As the person grows old, his bones are bound to get weaker; over time, this can lead to the development of severe arthritis. It is a painful condition that can render an elder immobile. Physiotherapy clinics, often set up by charitable institutions and some NGOs, offer relief to such patients and at times, restore full mobility.
   

Recognizing the deteriorating health conditions of this group, various Non-Profit Organization’s across the country have started health and welfare programs that help the elderly people by setting up screening camps and networking with hospitals in providing low cost remedial treatments and surgeries, wherever necessary.

It is time that the young generation realizing the fact that one day their own aged parents too could be in a similar situation, lends their support to the elder cause.