Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field which deals with the science of ageing and older persons. From the older person's perspective, this field is broadly about the care and treatment aspects of such persons (Geriatric Medicine also known as Clinical Gerontology), about their social aspects (Social Gerontology), about their psychological aspects (Psychological Gerontology also loosely termed as Psych-geriatrics) and about human ageing. Basic scientific study and research about ageing of animals is also a part of Gerontology (sometimes referred to as Biological Gerontology). Person who specializes in treating older persons is termed Geriatrician.

In India, any one aged 60 years and above is an older person, also known as senior citizen and any one aged 80 years is termed as super senior citizen. Currently, they number about 140 million persons, representing 10% of our country's population and are the fastest growing segment. Projections estimate 55% increase in general population from year 2000 to 2050 while 60 + and 80 + persons will increase by 325% and 700% respectively in this period. In 2050, older persons in India will account for 20% of total population. In Western countries where life expectancy is higher, cut off point to label a person as old is 65.

Ageing is a normal event of progressively increasing age and begins with conception and continues throughout life until we die. As the late middle and old age approaches, ageing is accompanied by progressive decline in health which is associated with many physical, cognitive, emotional, socioeconomic and spiritual changes and increased risk of many age-related diseases.

Globally, older women outnumber older men and on average, women live few years longer than men. Compared to older men, older women live with greater disability and higher prevalence of health problems like depressive disorders and chronic locomotor or cognitive impairments. Older women experience greater socioeconomic marginalisation than older men. They are also more vulnerable to health-related abuse such as discrimination, indifference, delay and neglect in receiving health care. A good chunk of 70 million older women who live in India are poor, widowed and rural residents.

Alphabetically, these are Alzheimer's disease, Brain attack or stroke, Cancer, Diabetes, Essential high BP, Frailty, Geriatric infections, Heart disease, Injuries and falls.

Alphabetically, these are Aches and pain, Blurred vision, Constipation, Depression, Exhaustion, Forgetfulness, Gum and teeth problems, Hearing problems and Incontinence of urine and/or faeces.

These remain often invisible and are generally not complained about. Alphabetically, these are Anxiety, Boredom, Coping difficulties in adverse situations, Death and dying worries, Emotional disorders, Fears from unknown sources, Generational disconnect, Hopelessness and despair, Investment worries and joblessness.

These are the conditions in elderly that do not fit into specific diseases and most of these adversely affect the quality of life of older persons and interfere with their self-managing abilities and their activities of daily living. Some examples of geriatric syndromes (starting with the letter 'I' are 1. Impaired intellect (Dementia), 2. Immobility (Frailty), 3. Inappropriate medications (Polypharmacy), 4. Impaired vision and hearing (sensory obtundation), 5. Imbalance (Falls and fractures), 6.Incontinence (Urinary/fecal) and 7. Insomnia (Sleep disorders).

These include (i) 6 Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) like Transferring from bed to chair and vice versa, Toileting like visiting and using urinal and commode, Bathing, Continence like controlling the passage of urine and faeces, Dressing/Grooming and Feeding and (ii) 10 Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) like Shopping, Planning and preparing meals, Cleaning the house/housekeeping, Doing laundry, Transportation (going out and coming back), Managing finances, Using the telephone communication, Mobile/computers, Managing medications and Driving.

1. If treatment is complex with many medicines & many specialists. 2. Decline in memory or mobility interfering in ability to function. 3. Emergence of frailty, a predictor of adverse health and death. 4. Medical condition causing much physical or mental impairment.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is defined as a multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment process that identifies medical, psychosocial, and functional capabilities of an older adult in order to develop a coordinated plan to maximize overall health with aging.

Healthy aging is a process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. It is also about creating the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. Mantra for healthy and active ageing: Eat right, Exercise well, Sleep full, Bust stress, Maintain hygiene, Remain happy, Engage mentally and socially and get regular health check-ups. This means the following. (i). Exercising regularly for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week which helps maintain body weight, reduce risk of falls and risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia and hypertension. (ii). Eating right i.e. on a Mediterranean diet which is comprised of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains and is associated with a significantly lesser burden of chronic diseases and brain decay. Drink about 8 cups of water a day but listen to your bodily needs and optimize the water intake accordingly. (iv). Exercising the brain by learning new language, new musical instrument, playing crossword, acrostics or mathematical games, unpacking and assembling newly purchased gadgets, and exploring the internet by online shopping, paying utility bills, calculating income tax etc. even at the cost of some temporary frustration and disappointment during the learning phase. (v). Keeping the family on high pedestal, maintaining friendships and remaining socially active by attending functions or volunteering to work for clubs and associations. (vi). Having a purpose in life like helping others and asking the question to oneself-'why we are here'. (vii). Practicing spirituality through meditation, yoga, pranayama, praying and thereby strengthening the spiritual traits. (viii). Avoidance of smoking and excessive drinking. (ix). Maintain good sleep hygiene.

Ordinarily, recommended exercises comprise Aerobic exercises like brisk walking, cycling, swimming or gardening, Resistance or Strengthening exercises like climbing stairs, carrying groceries, push ups or weight lifting, Balancing exercises like one leg raise, stand/sit without hand support or heel toe walk and Stretching exercises like yoga and muscle stretching exercises. But in routine life, there are three types of non-exercise physical activity also e.g. 1. Work and occupation related physical activity is common e. g. agriculture, other manual workers, petty traders etc., 2. Household related physical activity is the next common e. g. kitchen help, personal chores, family caring, playing with grandchildren etc. and 3. Transportation related physical activity is less common e. g. slow walking, slow cycling, climbing, negotiating bus and train stations etc.

They are a group of individuals in their 70s, 80s and beyond having remarkable memory and high cognitive capacity that mirrors those of individuals who are three decades younger. According to some physicians, super-agers possess both high cognitive as well as high aerobic fitness and a way of thinking that is of the standard of someone 'at least 20 -30 years younger'. Hence there is considerable differential between the biological and chronological age for super-agers.

There are 5 high life span and health span areas of world namely Loma Linda in California. Nicoya in Costa Rica, Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan and Icaria in. Greece. Similarities across these Blue Zoners communities include the following. They get moderate, regular physical activity, most often as part of their jobs or livelihoods. They feel that their lives have purpose. They practice stress reduction. They moderate their caloric intake. They enjoy a plant-based diet. They have moderate alcohol intake, mostly enjoying wine. They engage in spirituality or religion. They engage in family life. They engage in social life. These similarities provide a guide for all of us that want to live a long, healthy, productive life.

A disease generally of old age due to damage/death of brain cells Problems of memory, communication, understanding and thinking Problems in judgment, decision making and orientation Leads to frustration, anger, depression and personality changes Becomes dependent on others for personal hygiene, eating etc. Slowly progressive, irreversible, has no cure and results in death

Frailty is defined as a clinically recognizable state of older persons with increased vulnerability resulting from age associated decline in physiologic reserve and function across multiple organ systems, such that the ability to cope with every day or acute stressors is compromised and mortality is hastened.

Keep the house well-lit, install handrails for support, avoid slippery floors, use non-slippery mats in bathrooms, remove tripping hazards like wirings, pipes, uneven floor and loose-fitting carpets. Take medications as advised by your doctor and observe precautions properly. Healthcare worker can also help prevent falls in elderly patients by assessing their risk of fall, provide safety advice, and ensure a safe and age-friendly environment.

Ageism is discrimination against older adults. Signs of elder abuse include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior and signs of neglect. We can combat ageism by treating older adults with respect, challenging old age stereotypes, and advocating for their human rights. Society should encourage positive interactions, intergenerational activities, and learn and share the value and contributions of older adults. Elder abuse, if it happens can be reported to Medical Social Worker, protective authorities including police at the nearest police station or filing a complaint in Deputy Commisioner/ District Magistrate Office for law enforcement. Call helpline number 1291 (Delhi police) to register harassment complaint. National Elder helpline number is 14567.

Connections and relationships formed between individuals from different generations, such as grandparents, parents, and children. These bonds are crucial for transmitting cultural traditions, values, and knowledge, as well as for providing support, care, and understanding across different age groups. Intergenerational bonding offers numerous benefits for individuals and society as a whole.

Every 6 months or at least once a year. Apart from monitoring the treatment of an ailment that you may already be having, a good doctor will also give you a thorough medical examination and the necessary laboratory tests to detect any hidden disorder. He would also check and monitor all your medications you may be regularly using. A doctor expert in old age care would also assess you for your teeth, nutrition, urinary problem if any, depression and for physical and mental disabilities like impaired vision, mobility, hearing, and memory during your health check-up and take corrective actions if needed. You should also enquire from him about the need of any vaccination especially the pneumococcal and flu vaccination. It may be emphasized that any abnormal feature like lump in the breast, recent change in the bowel habit, persistent cough or unusual bleeding can be an indication of malignancy and should prompt you to visit your doctor immediately.

This field is concerned with independent living and social participation of older adults in any state of health, comfort and safety through assistive technology and inclusive design in many areas such as health, housing, mobility, communication, leisure and work of older people.

These are for any patient but frequently used by older persons. Palliative care is the active, holistic care of individuals across all ages with serious health related suffering due to severe illness, and especially of those near the end of life. It aims to improve the quality of life of patients, their families and their caregivers. Hospice care is through an administered non-profit or for Profit Organization, medically directed, nurse coordinated program which provides a continuum of home, outpatients and home like inpatient care for at least 4 terminally ill patients and their families and gives physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and economic care during the final stages of illness and during dying and bereavement for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

It is a document prescribing a person's wishes regarding the medical treatment the person would want if he/she was unable to share his/her wishes or not in a position to make an informed decision by reason of being unconscious or in a coma. It can also be executed for dementia patients and becomes applicable when they lose the capacity to make health related decisions and according to Mental Health Care Act, 2017, its purpose is to promote autonomy and beneficence. Living Will is almost the same as AD but is one of the ADs, the other being appointment of a Medical Power of Attorney who can surrogate for the person to take medical decisions when the need arises. A Living Will document can also be made specifically for patients suffering from a terminal illness.

Spirituality is an umbrella term that looks for meaning of ones life and exploring the inner self. It is therefore spirituality that differentiates human from other animal species. It is different from religion although one of the paths to spirituality is through religious practices. There are several important vehicles for practicing spirituality like religiosity, meditation, yoga, music, vegetarianism, fasting and positive selfless conduct and human relationships, contemplation and other methods of concentration. Many additional factors like strong devotion to work and recreational activity and worship to relatively non-God deities like Goddess of enthusiasm (Uma) can also be encompassed under spirituality. Forgiveness promotes mental and physical health. It leads to stress reduction, lowering of blood pressure and cortisol levels and improved cardiovascular and nervous system function. Even Self-forgiveness i.e. forgiving one's own self for any wrong doings helps in overcoming guilt and depression thereby improving emotional and mental well-being. One of the acronyms listing only some of the component beliefs of spirituality is FORGIVE which encompasses the following: F orgiveness, O ptimism, R epentence (R for resilience also), G ratitude, I ntrospection, V eneration (including obedience & worship), and E mpathy (or compassion) There is evidence in literature that such human characteristics collectively or individually impart health benefits and wellbeing. Such evidence therefore should stimulate further insight from medical researchers.

Sound came to the world before the man arrived and over the centuries, man appreciated, realized and converted it to the wonder of present day music. Music is not simply an entertainment but it can help improving many age related disorders like stress, anxiety, depression, dementia and even stroke and Parkinsonism through its influence on our attention, mood, emotions, memory and cognition. It may act as an immune booster also. No wonder, some countries hire music therapists for hospitals, day care centres, OPDs, psychiatric institutions, correctional facilities & centres for de-addiction, rehabilitation, respite & palliative care etc. One may therefore ponder to harness this power of music through professional guidance.

These are the ten suggestions as below. 1.passion of work-So strong that you and others would not know wheather you are working or playing and thereby deriving happiness. 2.hobbying-Addition of volunteering to any of the countless hobbies of interest is satisfying in old age. 3.meticulousness-Promotes prudence, persistence and perfection and therefore satisfaction. 4.zest-Keeps the elderly continuing to be amazed for life long. Repeated feelings of amazement is a source of joy. 5.networking-Not only with friends and relatives but with younger generations also gives happiness. 6.nostalgia-Good memories of the past are always a source of pleasure. 7.self caring-of personal hygiene and health provides a sense of achievement. 8.heed the head-To feel the sense of happiness, mind needs to remain sharp by constant mental activity. 9.love and serve-by helping, caring, teaching and empathising. Service to other is service to oneself. 10.ensure the future-By saving to stand by yourself in old age and by only bequeathing your property, not parting with it.

Reminiscences through personal interviews of older persons recounting their successful life stories as well as challenges and difficulties they faced during their long lives and how they learned lessons and improved their coping skills overtime are recorded. Analysis and interpretation of extensive accumulated data from large number of older persons can enable the researchers to extract valuable knowledge and some pearls of wisdom for future use by the society.

1.Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), twice PM of England "Youth is a blunder, man hood is a struggle & old age is a regret"- (Dr. Vinod Kumar's comment: This was said 150 years ago but currently youth is considered as the fountain of power, manhood is the lesson of life and old age is an opportunity never seen before. Many of us have remained so busy that we never lived well but only survived so far. Use therefore now any available opportunity to relax and ponder how to live and be happy.
2"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain, American writer
3."Most people say that as you grow old, you have to give up things, I think you get old because you give up things." Senator Theodore F. Green at 87, American politician
4.Unconsciously focussing on others' weaknesses & mistakes is a barrier to my own sense of well being because the more I develop the habit of noticing goodness and only holding on to goodness in others, the more my own sense of well-being will rise.
5.If anyone has done good to you, keep this memory for ever, like writing on stone and not writing on sand where it may disappear by wind. You will feel happy and on repaying that debt, you will feel satisfied.
6.Denial of perennial youth by nature and brevity of remaining life paves the way for strengthening many human characteristics in old age that are conducive to one's mental health and wellbeing.
7.As you grow old, you will find out you have two hands, one to help yourself, the second to help others.
8. As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two. Sir Norman Wisdom.
9. One is not fully dressed if he is not wearing a smile. Engage in laughter, the best medicine. Exchange healthy jokes and humour.
10. Raise your physical quotient (PQ) by healthy life styles, intelligence quotient (IQ) by life long learning, emotional quotient (EQ) by social skills, spiritual quotient (SQ) by community service and thereby discover the key to a luminous body and a happy mind.