Issues, Challenges, and Innovation in Age Care: Case Study of Nightingales Medical Trust
摘要
Globally accelerated aging of population is becoming a significant cause of concern. Aging population has its unique challenges such as the pressure on health care systems due to chronic medical conditions, dependency, accessibility, and associated costs. There are other issues like appropriate infrastructure, social security schemes, community-based support systems, and abuse. It is evident that government capacity to handle the demographic transition is limited. Consequently, there is need for innovative solutions to the multitude of problems that elderly community face. The solutions for such issues have to be cost-effective, replicable, and mostly community based. However, it has to be noted that the booming of old-age homes and residential facilities for the elderly calls for minimum standards in such facilities so that the quality of life of the elderly is not compromised. This chapter first lays out the aging scenario of the country, the challenges faced by the elderly, and scope for services in the area of aged care. The needs of the elderly will only grow with time and NGOs play a crucial role in assisting the government in handling the demand for the services. There are many NGOs that are actively involved in age care and are doing tremendous work to enrich the lives of the elderly. The chapter presents the case of Nightingales Medical Trust, a leading NGO working for the welfare of the elderly in Bangalore. It details on the issues and challenges in the field of age care, highlights the innovative need-based programs established, and consequently the impact on the community.