Abstract
This qualitative inquiry explored the meaning of healthy aging, health status of the elderly they serve, availability of programs and services, and knowledge of policies specific to seniors from the perspective of health service providers in India. To this end, 100 physicians, allied and alternative health care providers were recruited using snowball sampling method and interviewed in person. The health service providers showed an overall tendency toward holistic definitions including aspects of physical, mental and social wellbeing and reported widely prevalent health problems in each of those domains (e.g., physical health problems, social health concerns resulting from changing family structure). In discussing programs and services available to seniors, a wide range was evident; however the need for expanded health and social support was clear. In order to adequately respond to this need, policy development and implementation relating to the aging population is necessary and three key considerations are highlighted.
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Acknowledgements
The project was funded by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
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We, the authors, state that no conflict of interest existed during the writing of this manuscript.
Funding source
The project was funded by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
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Johnson, C.S., Duraiswamy, M., Desai, R. et al. Health Service Provider’s Perspectives on Healthy Aging in India. Ageing Int 36, 445–462 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-010-9096-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-010-9096-6