7.5 crore elderly in India suffering from critical illness

By 2050, the number of elderly people in India will increase to 319 million. According to the 2011 census it will increase threefold. A survey of the central government has revealed many information on the illness of the elderly.

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According to a recent survey by the Ministry of Health, about seven and a half crore elderly people above the age of 60 are suffering from some serious illness. According to the survey, 40 percent of the elderly have some disability and 20 percent suffer from mental health related illness.

Central Health and Family Welfare has released an India Report on Longitudinal Aging Studies of India (LASI). For the first time in India and the largest such survey has been done in the world. LASI is a comprehensive national survey of the scientific investigation of health, economic and social determinants and outcomes of aging population in the country.

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Heart and mental illness

According to the survey, 34.6 percent of people 60 years or older are suffering from heart diseases. The number of heart disease patients in urban areas is 37.5 percent, while in rural areas it is 23.2 percent. Talking about mental illness, the elderly are also suffering from loneliness along with mental illness.

high blood pressure

According to the survey, the number of people struggling with high blood pressure disease is also considerable. The survey says that 35.6 percent of the elderly in urban areas are victims of high BP, while 21.1 percent of the elderly in rural areas are its patients.

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The purpose of this survey is to assess the situation of the elders of the country and formulate policies for their health, safety and welfare. According to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the data from LASI will be used to strengthen and broaden the national program for the elderly.

Elderly population will increase

In the 2011 census, 60 years or more population was 8.6 percent of the total population of India i.e. 10.3 crore people were elderly. According to the survey, with the annual growth rate of three percent, the population of the elderly will increase to 319 million in 2050.

The LASI survey covered a baseline sample of 72,250 persons 45 years and above and their spouse. In this, 31,464 persons aged 60 years and above and 6,749 persons aged 75 years and above were included. These samples were taken from all states and union territories except Sikkim.

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According to the survey, 43.5 percent of people 60 years or older are educated. At the same time, the percentage of people 60 years or older who work in agriculture is 64.8. Another fact revealed in this survey is that 78 percent of people 60 years or more do not get pension.

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