India's rapidly ageing population faces a significant healthcare gap due to the neglect of geriatric conditions like frailty in public health policy. Examine the challenges in addr

Introduction

India’s demographic transition is leading to a rapid rise in the elderly population, yet public health systems remain oriented toward maternal, child, and infectious diseases, leaving geriatric conditions like frailty under-addressed.

Challenges in Addressing Geriatric Vulnerabilities

• High burden of chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and frailty with inadequate early screening and diagnosis
• Limited geriatric care infrastructure, including shortage of trained specialists and dedicated wards
• Out-of-pocket expenditure remains high, with insufficient insurance coverage for long-term and palliative care
• Weak primary healthcare integration, with geriatric needs not embedded in routine services
• Social factors such as isolation, neglect, and feminisation of ageing increasing vulnerability
• Urban-rural disparities in access to healthcare and assistive services

Measures for a Comprehensive Framework

• Strengthen primary healthcare by integrating geriatric screening, frailty assessment, and continuity of care under Ayushman Bharat
• Expand geriatric departments in district hospitals and promote specialised training for healthcare workers
• Develop long-term care systems including home-based care, community support, and palliative services
• Enhance financial protection through expanded insurance coverage for chronic and elderly care
• Leverage digital health and telemedicine for remote monitoring and consultation
• Promote preventive health through awareness on nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being
• Encourage convergence with social welfare schemes to address non-medical determinants

Conclusion

Addressing geriatric health requires a shift from episodic care to a life-cycle approach. A robust, integrated framework can ensure healthy ageing and reduce the socio-economic burden of an ageing population.