India is experiencing a gradual yet steady ageing of its population. It is accompanied by significant changes in its social and familial structures, particularly due to urbanization. These demographic shifts bring forth various challenges, including an increasing dependency ratio, which will impact multiple sectors, especially health care. As a low- and middle-income country, India already faces a considerable treatment gap in addressing psychiatric disorders. Geriatric psychiatry, as a super specialty field, is still in its nascent stages in the country. This chapter underscores the growing need for geriatric mental health services in India, examining the current state of gero-psychiatry, end-of-life care, and related legal and ethical issues. It also explores the training opportunities, government programmes, policies, and action plans, while identifying the key challenges and suggesting strategies for the future development of geriatric mental health care in India.

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Geriatric Psychiatry in India

  • K. L. Vidya,
  • Prerak Kumar

摘要

India is experiencing a gradual yet steady ageing of its population. It is accompanied by significant changes in its social and familial structures, particularly due to urbanization. These demographic shifts bring forth various challenges, including an increasing dependency ratio, which will impact multiple sectors, especially health care. As a low- and middle-income country, India already faces a considerable treatment gap in addressing psychiatric disorders. Geriatric psychiatry, as a super specialty field, is still in its nascent stages in the country. This chapter underscores the growing need for geriatric mental health services in India, examining the current state of gero-psychiatry, end-of-life care, and related legal and ethical issues. It also explores the training opportunities, government programmes, policies, and action plans, while identifying the key challenges and suggesting strategies for the future development of geriatric mental health care in India.