24^th July, 2021

11am-12pm

Key points of HCFI Expert Round Table

• A nation-wide survey involving 21 states showed increasing prevalence of antibodies with increasing age (76% for ≥ 60 year age). Females had more antibodies than males as they suffered more asymptomatic infections. Out of 43 crore vaccinations, >70% had received only one dose of the vaccine. Of those who received both doses, 88% had developed antibodies. Vaccine hesitancy is present, more in rural areas.
• More attention needs to be given to those who have received one dose of the vaccine, the marginalised sections of the population in rural, tribal and periurban areas.
• It is important to take the vaccine; it is also important to follow covid appropriate behavior. But people are not adhering to covid appropriate behavior.
• An online survey was done to look at mental health of millennials, baby boomers and the young. Around 10,000 people participated in this multicountry study. Of these, 7000 were from India. The survey threw up a surprising finding that senior citizens are more resilient to this pandemic. They are not so depressed or anxious, but they are socially isolated as was expected.
• Physical health of the geriatric population is important; most of them have multimorbid health conditions. These should be managed well even during the pandemic and not neglected, as the pandemic has affected management of existing conditions.
• Community elderly people were not very happy with the services provided by the government, private or NGO sector; they missed the opportunity to have many teleconsultation facilities. Hence, it becomes important to develop ways and means to provide continuous care even during this crisis.
• Dental care is very important. In addition to the presence /absence of teeth, it is also the alignment and the power of mastication, which are related to food intake.
• Elderly are vulnerable to falls and injury.
• Mental health of elderly is very important.
• It is important to interact continuously with senior citizens in the community. Help them to be active and healthy. But, the role of family is of utmost significance in taking care of the elderly.
• Physical inactivity in late life is a disease in itself and is a harbinger for many diseases in future such as dementia, heart disease etc.
• Studies have shown that more the isolation, more the anxiety and depression, higher the chances of developing dementia.
• Financial crisis of the next generation has also affected care of the elderly, especially in the socioeconomically weaker sections.
• Elderly are at much more risk of hospitalization due to Covid; mortality is also higher.
• All major hospitals and new hospitals should have a department of geriatric medicine.
• Some tips for the elderly for active and healthy aging

• Focus on a healthy diet, especially protein intake (1.2-1.5 g/kg body weight) and include roughage in diet.
• Exercise/physical activity is a must (walk, small amount of resistance exercise, yoga, stretching and balancing exercises).
• Get adequate sleep.
• Health issues must not be ignored.
• Do activities which stimulate the brain. The rule of thumb for brain is “Use it or lose it”. Learn some new skills. Watching TV does not stimulate the brain. If you are right handed, try to use your left hand. This stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain.
• Covid vaccine is a must.
• Intergenerational interaction, especially when children are just starting to talk and intergenerational learning always helps.
• Be active and connect to friends etc. Be purposefully engaged.

Participants

Dr AK Agarwal

Dr Prasun Chatterjee

Dr SK Mittal

Dr Shashank Joshi

Dr Suneela Garg

Dr Ashok Gupta

Dr Arun Jamkar

Dr Anita Chakravarti

Dr Jayakrishnan Alapet

Prof Bejon Misra

Dr DR Rai

Dr KK Kalra

Mrs Upasana Arora

Ms Balbir Verma

Ms Ira Gupta

Dr S Sharma