REPORT OF “Multidisciplinary Approach to Healthy & Participatory Ageing” Conference

S.V.T. COLLEGE OF HOME SCIENCE (Autonomous) S.N.D.T. Women’s University, held an UGC CPE sponsored International Conference on “Multidisciplinary Approach to Healthy & Participatory Ageing” from 22^nd to 24^th JANUARY, 2009, at ISKCON Auditorium, Hare Krishna Land, Juhu, Mumbai.

The participating organizations for this conference were International Longevity Center, India, Helpage India and ICMR. The supporting organizations for the conference was Geriatric Society of India and Silver Inning Foundation. Union Bank of India was the Gold Sponsor for the Conference.

Around 400 delegates consisting of academicians, students, researchers from the different fields of human development, psychology, nutrition, social work, related to the field of Gerontology across India and a few from abroad participated during the three-day event to discuss the areas related to Senior Citizens. Many representatives of Senior citizen organizations also participated in this conference.

In the Inaugural program, the keynote address ‘Towards Multi-disciplinary Approach – Going Beyond Physical Science’ was delivered by Dr. S. D. Gokhale (President, International Longevity Centre, India). The theme of the keynote address was ‘Ageing: a Natural Phenomeon’. He dwelt upon science and spirituality in the context of ageing. This was followed by the speech of Chief Guest, Prof. S. Parasuraman (Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences). He discussed at length economic implications of ageing and initiatives of the various state governments for helping the old people. Dr. O.P.Sharma, Gen. Secretary, GSI spoke in his speech, “Geriatrics – Past, Present & Future”, focussed on medical aspects related to ageing. He charted the history of Geriatrics and emphasized on need for positive habits of nutrition, exercise from early years for healthy ageing.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by the inauguration of photo exhibition and poster presentation. Later the students of SVT College of Home Science enthralled the audience with the rich cultural programme.

The delegates of this conference enriched their existing knowledge with the different presentations on various topics from a galaxy of National and International invited speakers who are stalwarts in the field of gerontology like Mrs. Irene Hoskins (President, International Federation of Ageing, U.S.A.) Dr. Jane Barratt (General Secretary, International Federation of Ageing, Canada), Dr. O.P.Sharma, Gen. Secretary, GSI, Dr. Gururaj mutalik (ex-director who, united nations), Peter Martin (Director Gerontology, University of Iowa), Mr. Prakash Borgoankar (Helpage india, Dr. Indira Jai Prakash (Ex-Prof. of Psychology, Bangalore University). Dr. Ashish Contractor (Asian Heart Hospital, Mumbai), Dr. G. G. Ray’s (Prof. IDC, IIT, Mumbai) Dr. S. Shaji, (Psychiatrist), Dr. Jacob John Kattakayam, Dr. Charles Pinto (Psychiatrist, Nair Hospital, Mumbai), Dr. Kavita Reddy (American Soya Association), Dr. Bharati Kulkarni (Senior Scientist, NIN, Hyderabad).Arch. Radhika Vaidya (Athashri Foundation, Pune) Dr. N. K. Chadda (Department of Psychology, University of Delhi), Dr. Duru Shah (Medical Director, Gynac World, Mumbai), and Dr. Sesikeran (Director, NIN, Hyderabad) Dr. Bhavesh Modi, Dr. S. Sivaraju (TISS, Mumbai), and Dr. Surendra Sanghvi (MGM College of Eng. & Tech.) Ms. Swatija Manorama presented.

Various topics like Global Ageing Innovations in Policy & Practice, Role of NGOs in Population Ageing, Cardiovascular & Respiratory Rehabilitation – Emerging Issues, Special Housing for Elderly, Think Elderly: Designing Products for Elderly, Quality Ageing – Psychological Issues. Dementia Care – Emerging Issues and Newer Interventions, Family as Carer – the Changing Scenario, Ageing & Cognitive Impairment, Nutrition and Health Benefits of Soy in Human Nutrition, Menopause and Ageing, Personality Characteristics and Well-being of Older Adults, Intergenerational Relationships: Issues and Challenges, Nutrition, Health, and Ageing‘Active Ageing and Economic Security for Elderly, Research in Population Ageing, Use of Electro Stimulation for Incontinence, Issues of the Elderly Women etc were covered very effectively by the different topics.

There were about 22 oral paper presentations made by different researchers during this 3-day conference. About 14 posters presentations on varying topics related to ageing were also another highlight of this conference.

The concluding session was panel discussion on the theme ‘Healthy Ageing’ chaired by Dr. Vibhuti Patel and the panellists were Mr. Sailesh Mishra (Silver Innings), Dr. Sesikaran (NIN, Hyderabad), Dr. A. Deshpande (Psychiatrist, Mumbai), Dr. Kinjewadkar (President, All-India Senior Citizen Association).

The conference came up with the following recommendations:-

• There is a need to raise awareness of and creating a common understanding of the concept of healthy ageing.

• Sensitize the society that concept of Healthy ageing goes beyond physical health.

• Quality Ageing should be part of Syllabus of School, College and University.

• Research in Areas of Widows, Disabled, Fragile older adults & Unorganised Sector should be encouraged. Networking for sharing of Research on Ageing should be promoted.

• Need for more well planned low-cost interventions for older adults.

• Need to develop supportive environment in terms of specially designed houses, medical infrastructure, NGO’s and services for the elderly.

• Need for more qualified care-givers for the elderly- Training programmes for caregivers need to be strengthened.

• Government must be cautious while giving the additional responsibility of Geriatric care to the anganwadi worker who is already overloaded.

Contact:
Dr.Suja Koshy : dr.sujakoshy@gmail.com