On Gerontology

Introduction

Gerontology is the study of different aspects of ageing. It addresses the issues related to the social, psychological and physiological changes in old people. It is a multidisciplinary study in the sense that it has implications in biology, medicine, physiotherapy, social work, sociology, anthropology and economics. The study helps in policy making in favour of the old. The field has increasing significance as the populations in different parts of the world have more aged members than young. It puts forth the notion of ‘successful ageing’, in the sense that the old ones should be able to feel satiated with where they are in their lives. 

The problems faced by the old people are many. Physical issues which come with ageing are the most talked about among them. Apart from that, they face issues such as purposelessness in life, financial issues, difficulty with daily tasks, finding the right care providers, social alienation and more. Gerontology comprehensively addresses all these issues to give the old ones a better chance at enjoying the winters of their lifetime 

Successful ageing is an alien concept at least to people in our part of the world. Gerontology places significance on the health of the ageing population and their active participation in social life. Some of the developed nations who have more of the ageing population than the young, systematically apply the rubrics of Gerontology for maximum production and the wellbeing of the populace. Empowering the old to attain an optimal state of self-sufficiency can be made a part of our national policy too.

Community Centres for Old

The Indian tradition espouses that the sons are responsible for the caring of their old parents. While this is a convenient arrangement for many, there are millions of senior citizens who are not supported by their children. There is an increasing number of old parents being abandoned or sent to old age homes. There are also innumerable cases of unhappy parents living with their adult children. As old age homes are a relatively new concept to Indians, certain social stigma is associated with it. Here lies the need to redefine our old age homes.

Community Centres for the local population to meet up for recreation or to join hands for a common cause are prevalent in developed nations. It is perhaps the time for us to redefine the concept around old age homes and adopt models like the aforementioned Community Centres. Such shared spaces can be used for skill acquisition for the old. This way, they can remain productive and contribute to the production process.

Upskilling the Old

The government can come up with plans to categorise the senior citizens who would like to be a part of the scheme. The old ones can be given training in works which require physical or intellectual skills. Since the population is increasing consistently and the production process has to level up to the demands, it would be ideal to make the senior citizens a part of the process.

Physical and Mental Health of the Old

Old age comes with the risk of decreased brain function due to different reasons such as changes in neurotransmitters, heredity or accumulated toxins in the brain. This in turn results in diminished cognitive skills and a lack of flexibility in situations in everyday life. Such undesirable changes in the old can be curbed with routine exercise and nutritious food. An understanding of the physical changes in the old can help both the young ones to cope with their elders and the old ones to maintain their own good health.

Late Bloomers in Life

There is no hard and fast rule that one must find success in the first half of one's life. There are numerous examples of people tasting success much later in life. We have splendid examples of such people: Charles Darwin who published his Origin of Species at his age of 50, John Fenn who got awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in his 80s, Harry Bernstein who started writing at the age of 96, Gladys Burril, a polio survivor who became a pilot after her forties and a marathon participant in her eighties and nineties, Miguel de Cervantes who wrote Don Quixote at his age of 58, among many.

These people prove that one may choose to change gears and level up at any point in their lives. With so many facilities available, like the internet, anyone can accomplish her/his goals at any stage in life.

Conclusion

Since we invest a lot in social living and we have many social institutions, it is our responsibility to ensure old persons do not feel desolate or find themselves in need of alms from others. While the West advances into making scientifically sound ageing models, it is high time we thought beyond pension schemes for senior citizens. A participative role for the older ones in industry and community would improve national GDP and the general quality of life for all. Let us start thinking about effective policy making for the inclusion of our old ones. Gerontology can do much in this regard.

Ms. Renjitha. K. R, Assistant Professor of English, Al Shifa College of Arts and Science, Kizhattoor, Perinthalmanna