Abstract
Worldwide societies are experiencing rapid increase in the number and proportion of the elderly (60 years and above). This may be considered as a result of improved healthcare facilities but it also poses a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Majority of the elderly population suffers from a variety of physical, psychological and social problems and challenges. This requires manifold interventions. Despite usual healthcare strategies, active and alternative interventions like social support, interaction with the community, yoga and exercise, spirituality and religion, and technology etc. may play a vital role in managing the lives of the elderly. These interventions not only reduce the physical, psychological and social burden, but also help fortifying health and well-being of the elderly.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Amaranath, B., Nagendra, H. R., & Deshpande, S. (2016). Effect of integrated Yoga module on positive and negative emotions in Home Guards in Bengaluru: A wait list randomized control trial. International Journal of Yoga, 9, 35–43.
Anand, J. (2004). Working through emotional pain: A narrative study of healing process. Psychological Studies, 49, 185–192.
Anand, J., Srivastava, A., & Dalal, A. K. (2001). Where suffering ends and healing begins. Psychological Studies, 46, 114–126.
Anjana, R., & Raju, S. (2002). Psychological functioning of Bhagavad Gita reciters. Psychological Studies, 47, 159–161.
Aruna, G. (1998). Mental health in being-becoming a paradox: JidduKrishnamurthi. Behavioural Medicine Journal, 1, 10–13.
Barusch, A. S. (1999). Religion, adversity and age: Religious experiences of low-income elderly women. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 26, 125–142.
Bhawuk, D. P. S. (2000). Who attains peace? An Indian model of personal harmony. In J. Prakash & G. Misra (Eds.), Towards a culturally relevant psychology (pp. 40–48). Agra: Agra Psychological Research Cell.
Birren, J. E., & Cunningham, W. (1985). Research on the psychology of aging: Principles, concepts and theory. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (pp. 3–34). New York: Van Nostrand.
Bose, A. B., & Gangrade, K. D. (Eds.). (1988). The aging in India: Problems and potentials. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications.
Brennan, M. (2002). Spirituality and psychosocial development in middle-age and older adults with vision loss. Journal of Adult Development, 9, 31–46.
Cabassa, L. J. (2007). Latino immigrant men’s perceptions of depression and attitudes toward help seeking. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 29, 492–509.
Chodzko-Zajko, W., Schwingel, A., & Park, C. H. (2009). Successful aging: The role of physical activity. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 3, 20–28.
Danhauer, S. C., Addington, E. L., Sohl, S. J., Chaoul, A., & Cohen, L. (2017). Review of yoga therapy during cancer treatment. Supportive Care in Cancer, 25, 1357–1372.
DeBruin, E., Formsma, A. R., Frijstein, G., & Bogels, S. M. (2017). Mindful to work: Effects of combined physical exercise, yoga and mindfulness meditation for stress relieve in employees. Mindfulness, 8, 204–217.
Desai, K. G. (1988). The aged and the society. In A. B. Bose & K. D. Gangrade (Eds.), The aged in India: Problems and potentialities. New Delhi: Abhinav Publication.
Dhar, H. L. (1997). Health and ageing. Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 51, 373–377.
Dhillon, P. K., & Singh, S. (2005). Adjustment of women retirees: Role of health, social support, leisure activities, stress level and demographic variables. Journal of Personality and Clinical Studies, 21, 61–70.
Dubey, S., & Choyal, T. (2012). Liesue: Effect on health ageing. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 26, 414–423.
Easwaramoorthy, M., & Chadha, N. K. (1997). Quality of life of the elderly in Tamil Nadu. In N. K. Chadha (Ed.), Aging and the aged: Challenges before Indian gerontology. New Delhi: Friends Publications.
Jain, S. (2003). Effect of preksha meditation on anxiety and operational efficiency of young convicts. Psychological Studies, 48, 82–87.
Jamuna, D. (2004). The statics and dynamics of elder care in the Indian context. In P. V. Ramamurti & D. Jamuna (Eds.), Handbook on Indian gerontology (pp. 208–242). New Delhi: Serial Publications.
Jamuna, D., & Ramamurti, P. V. (2000). Burnout among the caregivers of disabled elderly: Effect of intervention. Psychological Studies, 45, 150–155.
Kakar, S. (2003). Psychoanalysis and eastern spiritual healing traditions. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 48, 659–678.
Kapur, R. L. (2008). Another way to live. New Delhi: Penguin.
Keyes, C. L. M., & Reitzes, D. C. (2007). The role of religious identity in the mental health of older working and retired adults. Aging and Mental Health, 11, 434–443.
Khurana, A. (1996). Effect of vipassana meditation on quality of life of undertrials. Paper presented at national seminar “Quality of life in changing socio-cultural milieu” held at University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, April 12–13.
Kiran Kumar, S. K., & Raj, A. (1999). Ahamkara and ego functions among meditators and normals. Journal of Indian Psychology, 17, 46–56.
Koenig, H. G. (2007). Religion and depression in older medical inpatients. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 282–291.
Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. New York: Oxford University Press.
Krause, N. (2009). Lifetime trauma, prayer, and psychological distress in late life. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 19, 55–72.
Kumar, S. V. (2003). Economics, health and social networks. In P.S. Liebig & S. I. Rajan (Eds.), An aging India: Perspectives, prospects and policies. New York: The Haworth Press.
Lalitha, K., & Jamuna, D. (2004a). Memory status in the Indian elderly. In P. V. Ramamurti & D. Jamuna (Eds.), Handbook on Indian gerontology (pp. 328–368). New Delhi: Serial Publications.
Lalitha, K., & Jamuna, D. (2004b). Memory status in the elderly and its correlates: An intervention study. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 18, 151–158.
Lawrence, V., Banerjee, S., Bhugra, D., Sangha, K., Turner, S., & Murray, J. (2006). Coping with depression in later life: A qualitative study of help-seeking in three ethnic groups. Psychological Medicine, 36, 1375–1383.
Mickus, M. A., & Luz, C. C. (2002). Tele-visits: Sustaining long distance family relationships among institutionalized elders through technology. Aging & Mental Health, 6, 387–396.
Mutharayappa, R., & Bhat, T. N. (2008). Is lifestyle influencing morbidity among elderly? Journal of Health Management, 10, 203–217.
Newport, F. (2006). Religion most important to blacks, women, and older American. Retrived from http://news.gallup.com/poll/25585/religion-most-important-blacks-women-older-americans.aspx.
Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research and practice. New York: Guilford.
Phillips, D. R. (1994). Ageing and the implications for services: Formal and informal support systems, accommodation and services. In C. R. Ramachandran & B. Shah (Eds.), Public health implications of aging in India (pp. 148–163). New Delhi: ICMR.
Prabhu, P. H. (1954). Hindu social organisation. Bombay: Popular Book Depot.
Rajagopal, D., MacKenzie, E., Bailey, C., & Lavizzo-Mourey, R. (2002). The effectiveness of a spiritually-based intervention to alleviate subsyndromal anxiety and minor depression among older adults. Journal of Religion and Health, 41, 153–166.
Ramamurti, P. V. (2004). Psychosocial aspects of ageing in India. In P. V. Ramamurti & D. Jamuna (Eds.), Handbook on Indian gerontology (pp. 268–327). Delhi: Serials Publications.
Ramamurti, P. V., & Jamuna, D. (1992). Aged in developing India. Aging and Society: The Indian Journal of Gerontology, 4, 1–6.
Rao, A. P. (2000). Kind of supports requires in different kinds of elderly. Paper presented at the Asia–sub regional seminar for social security for elderly. Social Security Association of India, New Delhi.
Rastogi, A. (1996). Spiritual values to cope with ageing. In V. Kumar (Ed.), Aging: Indian perspective and global scenario (pp. 230–237), New Delhi: AIIMS.
Reddy, L. K. (1996a). Health and attitude towards health among elderly. In V. Kumar (Ed.), Aging: Indian perspective and global scenario (pp. 231–234), New Delhi.
Reddy, L. K. (1996b). Factors influencing attitude towards health among rural elderly. In I. Chakravarty (Ed.), Life in twilight years (pp. 343–349). Calcutta: Kwality Book House.
Reddy, L. K., & Ramamurti, P. V. (1995). Health behaviour among the elderly in India. In Proceedings of Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology, Hong Kong.
Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. (1997). A spiritual strategy for counseling and psychotherapy. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Savita, V., & Darshan, S. (1999). Factors affecting health of aged. The Indian Journal Gerontology, 9, 21–37.
Shah, B. (2004). Health care delivery systems of the elderly. In P. V. Ramamurti & D. Jamuna (Eds.), Handbook on Indian gerontology (pp. 96–116). Delhi: Serials Publications,
Shah, B., & Prabhakar, A. K. (1996). Healthcare for the elderly. ICMR Bulletin, 26, 33–36.
Sharma, S. (2004). Sustaining and enhancing well-being/health of Indian students: The role of certain spiritual or religious oriented interventions. In D. K. Bhattacharjee (Ed.), Psychology in Indian traditions: Implications for education. NCERT: New Delhi.
Singh, S. (2006). Perceived health among women retirees. Psychological studies, 51, 166–170.
Singh, S. (2008). Psychosocial factors shaping adjustment during widowhood. Psychological Studies, 53, 298–302.
Singh, S., & Chao, D. (2016). What makes elderly healthy? An Empirical inquiry into psycho-social dynamics. Journal of Indian Health Psychology, 10, 90–99.
Singh, R. R. (1993). Welfare system and psycho-social supports for the aged. In Proceedings of National Seminar on Ageing Scenario in India by 2001 A.D. New Delhi: Help Age and Care India.
Sinha, D. (1984). Community as a target: A new perspective to research in prosocial behaviour. In E. Staub, D. Bar-Tal, J. Karylowski, & J. Reykowski (Eds.), Development and maintenance of prosocial behaviour: International perspective on positive morality (pp. 445–455). New York: Plenum.
Sinha, S. P. (1999). Role of social supports in alleviating residential crowding stress among elderly. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 13, 105–110.
Siva Raju, S. (2000). Ageing in India: An overview. In M. Desai & S. Raju (Eds.), Gerontological social work in India. Delhi: B. R. Publishing Company.
Smith, T. S. (2001). Religion and spirituality in the science and practice of health psychology. In T. H. Plante & A. C. Sherman (Eds.), Faith and health: Psychological perspectives (pp. 335–400). New York: The Guilford Press.
Sridevi, K., & Krishna Rao, P. V. (1996). Yoga practice and menstrual distress. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 22, 47–53.
Stephens, A., Towers, A., & Stevenson, B. (2011). The effects of types of social networks: Perceived social support, and loneliness on the health of older people. Journal of Aging Health, 23, 887–911.
Taylor, E. (1997). A psychology of spiritual healing. Pennsylvania: Chrysalies Books.
Taylor, R. J., Chatters, L. M., & Jackson, J. S. (2007). Religious and spiritual involvement among older African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and non-Hispanic Whites: Findings from the National Survey of American Life. Journal of Gerontology, 62, 238–250.
Tiwari, S. C., & Pandey, N. M. (2012). The Indian concepts of lifestyle and mental health in old age. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55, 82–88.
Umadevi, A. (1991). Study of disability in old age and perception of social support. Master’s Dissertation. S.V. University, Tirupati.
Umadevi, T. (2002). Psychosocial correlates of disability among the aged. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. S.V. University, Tirupati.
Ushasree, S. (2000). Perceptions of social support among the aged women. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 26, 115–118.
Van der Pas, S., & Koopman-Boyden, P. (2007). Leisure and recreation activities and well-being among older New Zealanders. In P. Koopman-Boyden & C. Waldegrave (Eds.), Enhancing well-being in an ageing society: 65–84 year old New Zealanders in 2007 (pp. 117–132). Retrieved from University of Waikato Website.
Vance, D. E. (2006). Spirituality and living and aging with HIV: A pilot study. Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging, 19, 57–74.
Verma, S. K., & Pershad, D. (1996). Self-help groups and cognitive retraining in the elderly. Research and Development Journal (Help Age India), 3(1), 28–36.
Vink, D., Aartsen, M. J., & Schoevers, R. A. (2008). Risk factors for anxiety and depression in the elderly: A review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 106, 29–44.
Willigen, J. V., & Chadha, N. K. (2003). Social networks of old people in India: Research and policy. In P. S. Liebig & S. Irudaya Rajan (Eds.), An aging India: Perspectives, prospects and policies (pp. 109–124). New York: The Haworth Press.
Yahaya, N., Momtaz, Y. A., Hamid, T. A., & Abdullah, S. S. (2013). Social support and psychological well-being among older Malay women in Peninsular Malaysia. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 27, 320–332.
Yoon, D. P., & Lee, E.-K. O. (2007). The impact of religiousness, spirituality, and social support on psychological well-being among older adults in rural areas. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 48, 281–298.
Zhang, J.-G., Ishikawa-Takata, K., Yamazaki, H., Morita, T., & Ohta, T. (2006). The effects of Tai Chi Chuan on physiological function and fear of falling in the less robust elderly: An intervention study for preventing falls. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 42, 107–116.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer (India) Pvt. Ltd., part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Singh, S., Misra, I. (2018). Alternative Interventions for Fortifying Health of the Indian Elderly. In: Misra, G. (eds) Psychosocial Interventions for Health and Well-Being. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3782-2_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3782-2_12
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New Delhi
Print ISBN: 978-81-322-3780-8
Online ISBN: 978-81-322-3782-2
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)