Ageing,illness and healthy ageing

Abstract

People all over the world are living longer. This unprecedented population-ageing trend has profound effects on society and its institutions including health care. Genetic and molecular abnormalities associated with ageing are now better understood, though our knowledge of the process of senescence is grossly incomplete. Increased life expectancy is invariably associated with greater demand for health care and has led to the emergence of care of the elderly as a distinctive discipline in medicine. Multiple degenerative diseases are common features of old age. A substantial proportion of these chronic disabling conditions can be prevented or postponed. A greater focus is thus needed on prevention and health maintenance. Several modifiable factors related to lifestyle and environment have been known to have adverse impact on health in later life. There is enormous scope for improvement in health in old age, which is determined by access to information and resources. There are also several limitations to individuals’ ability to change the determinants of health; most important among them being environment and socio-economic inequalities.