Elderly in Meghalaya: Health, Education and Psycho-Social Needs

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The elderly population in India has grown very steadily since 1951 at a much faster rate as compared to that of general population. The United Nations Population Division estimates have further indicated that India's older population will increase dramatically over the next four decades. The share of India's population ages 60 and older is projected to climb from 8 percent in 2010 to 19 percent in 2050, according to the United Nations Population Division. This increase in the proportion of old people in relation to the total population is at the expense of the proportion of children and adults in the near future. Paradoxically there are problems that arise and overshadow the joys of longevity and affect the social, economic and physical well being of individuals, families and the society in which they live in. For a developing country like India, the rapid growth in the number of older population presents issues barely perceived as yet that must be addressed if social and economic development is to proceed effectively. Hence it is not going to be an easy task to provide proper health and fulfil other needs of the growing number of elderly unless strategies and approaches are evolved that are cost effective and sustainable. In view of the above, the present book focuses on the health, education and psychosocial needs of the elderly in Meghalaya.

EVANAKI TARIANG (b.1978) completed her schooling from St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Shillong in 1994 and went on to acquire her M.A. in Education from Assam University Silchar in 2005 with specialisation in Special Education. She was awarded doctorate degree in Adult and Continuing Education from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. She is currently engaged in the management of Amwi Higher Secondary School, Jowai.

N.P. GOEL (b.1950) has 35 years of teaching experience in the Department of Adult and Continuing Education & Department of Geography in North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He obtained his master's Degree from International Institute of Population Studies, Mumbai. He has to his credit several published articles and books.

B.P. SAHU (b. 1965) is presently working as Professor in the Department of Adult and Continuing Education in North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He obtained his Engineering Degree from Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra, followed by Masters in Social Work and PhD in HRD from Kurukshetra University. He started his career in the Department of Social Work, Kurukshetra University as Part Time Lecturer. He was the founder faculty member of Department of Social Work, B.PR College Kurukshetra and Assam University Silchar. He has served as first NSS Programme Coordinator in Assam University, Silchar. His area of interest includes HRD and Social Engineering.

In the process of going through the various stages of the human life cycle and throughout life, all individuals express innumerable needs and desire for life's necessities and individual or social aspirations that addresses their basic, physical, social or emotional needs that change with time and circumstances. Needs are part and parcel of human life. Nevertheless, all needs develop uniquely in their own way and at their own rate in all individuals. However, every single one of us exists with certain perceptions of living and expectations from ourselves and our environment. Universally though, all individuals desire for self respect, to be respected by others, to be economically and socially independent and productive, to be able to enjoy life's pleasures, to be able to face and accept new challenges in life and not to be shackled by the numerous stresses and circumstances that life and the environment exerts on us and also to be able to live life to its fullest potential.

Needs in old age are as severe as one would have during childhood, where decreased physical capabilities, diminishing mental abilities and helplessness due to advancing years requires elderly to have special care and attention. Changes resulting from Urbanisation, industrialisation, and modemisation have created problems for the aged who are now under a severe strain. Certain recent developments have given rise to some stresses and strains which have made the position of the aged more problematic. The changing socio-economic scenario of our traditional society has changed the nature and dimensions of the needs of different groups particularly of the aged. It is not only the destitute who need economic support and care through institutionalisation today, but a large portion of the economically sound and physically fit aged also require social support, emotional and psychological security and community support for wholesome existence.