CHENNAI : One of the important issues, which will figure in the debates on the World Elders Day falling on October 1, will be the poor nutritional status of the elderly, particularly in rural areas.

The causes for poor nutrition, which exposes elders to health risks by lowering body resistance levels, are multi-factorial, ranging from lack of awareness to lack of access.

"Though the energy needs of the elderly are lesser than those of young adults, there is a decline in their requirements of other nutrients — proteins, vitamins and minerals," said V. S. Natarajan, geriatrician and chairman, Senior Citizens' Bureau, who has surveyed the morbidity profile of the elderly.

What this means is that while the elderly may need less food quantity than adults, the quality of the food in terms of nutrients needs to be just as good as, if not better than, what adults consume.

Dr. Natarajan recommends education programmes and a periodic nutrition assessment of the elderly by a doctor or a nurse.

Apart from nutrition, infections, falls, impaired memory and urinary incontinence are the common problems that grow with age.

In contrast to the rural areas where skin infections such as fungus, eczema and scabies are more prevalent, the urban elderly grapple with chest and urinary infections and diabetic foot.

For the geriatrician, treating infectious diseases poses a serious challenge. This is because diagnosis of infection in the elderly is likely to be delayed, producing complications. Sometimes, diseases present without symptoms and treatment with antibiotics have to take into account the risks of adverse drug reactions owing to physiological changes.

"Vaccines like pneumococcal vaccine for chest infection or influenza for flu are advised," Dr. Natarajan said.

A random study of patients reporting at the Memory Clinic run by him showed that the incidence of dementia was high (38 per cent), followed by hypertension (30 per cent), cardiac problems (17 per cent) and diabetes (13 per cent).

The Senior Citizens' Bureau is organising various programmes in connection with the World Elders Day, ranging from cultural show to a session on frequently asked questions.

As part of raising awareness, a section of members visited a few schools and colleges in the city and encouraged students to take a pledge not to abuse elders. Nearly 1,000 signatures were collected from students.

The organisation would also honour self-employed elders of 70 years and above. An open house discussion and question answer session on various health problems/diagnosis/treatment would be held in which a panel of doctors, psychologists and sociologists would answer questions or provide prescriptions to the problems of senior citizens.

Vision Age India, a non-governmental organisation working with the elderly, will organise a student rally on October 3 from Kannagi statue to Light House. About 300 students from various colleges will participate in the rally.

The rally has been organised to create awareness among the public of various disabilities affecting the elderly.

On October 1, members of Vision Age India will meet Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and give a petition to him, requesting the Government to include cognitive disability in the `Persons With Disabilities Act'.

At a press conference on Wednesday, director of the organisation V. Shanthini said inclusion of cognitive disability in the Act would enable senior citizens to avail themselves of certain benefits that come with the Act such as pensions.

Secretary Ravi Samuel said it would be a step ahead in creating awareness of care for the elderly.

Vision Age India has also sought corporates' help in supporting them for various projects.

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