Health needs of elderly Indian women: an emerging issue.

This book chapter discusses the health conditions of elderly women in India. Nationally representative data were obtained from a 1987-88 special survey conducted in the 42nd round of the NSSO the 1981 NSSO on disabilities and death surveys in rural areas. The elderly suffer from conditions specific to this population that are accumulated over the life cycle. The major causes of death for persons aged over 50 years are respiratory diseases (18-19%) diseases of the circulatory system (10%) disorders of the central nervous system (12%) senility (almost 50%) and other causes (12%). 75% of respiratory deaths are due to bronchitis and asthma. Air pollution causes chronic respiratory damage. The most vulnerable people are the elderly children smokers and those with chronic respiratory problems. Almost two-thirds of circulatory system deaths are due to heart attacks. Paralysis is a common cause of central nervous system deaths. Cancer accounts for almost 50% of other diseases. Medically certified deaths among those aged over 55 years show the major causes as heart attacks ill-defined conditions infectious and parasitic diseases respiratory system diseases and neoplasms. Senility causes are unknown causes. Compared to mortality among the working-age population the elderly suffer more from respiratory diseases and paralysis especially men. Senility is higher among women. 45% of the elderly have some chronic disease. 80% of the chronically-ill suffer from joint problems coughs and high blood pressure. Elderly morbidity follows a residence and gender pattern. Around 10% suffer from disabilities. Blindness is highest among the elderly especially women. Women experience conditions related to menopause.