Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
Open Access

Abstract

An elderlyâ�?�? is a term coined for an individual who is of the age 60 years and above. Due to the advance medical system leading to the increased life expectancy, there is rise in elderly population. The rise in the ageing population poses a number of challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic has just become an addition to that. Several studies have been done to assess the impact of the pandemic on overall health of elderly, which when compared is much more affected than other age groups. Studies also reveal the high probability of elderly being affected by pandemic. As per the Government of India data, 51.2% of the fatalities that happened because of COVID-19 were amongst the elderly who were above 60 years of age (K�?¤ll et. al., 2020). The lives of elderly have been in despair. The lockdown/ quarantine has initiated kind of social vulnerability among them. Many elderly individuals live alone because their children work in some other city or country. They felt lonely, anxious and uncertain which affected their health leading to insomnia and depressive disorders thereby worsening the pre-existing health issues. The access to health care was also a great challenge for them. The issue of isolation amongst the elderly may be still manageable in the developed nations but, in case of the developing nations, itâ�?�?s a huge barrier especially in the densely populated nation like India. The study is to identify the emerging areas of key concern in elderly care and protection during and after pandemic times.

Biography

Sumanth S. Hiremath is faculty in the Dept. of Sociology, and Coordinator for Youth Red Cross, Rani Channamma University, Belagavi, and Karnataka, India. He has 15 years of Teaching & Research Experience. His research areas are ‘Elite Studies’; ‘Higher Education’; ‘ICT & Indian Society’; ‘Elderly & Gender Studies’; ‘Environmental & Urban Issues’. He has presented 108 Research Papers, delivered 36 Special Lectures and organised conferences and awareness programmes. He has authored 04 Books and 54 Research Papers. He is ‘Associate Editor’; ‘Journal Reviewer’; & ‘Editorial Board Member’ to many Journals. He is an ‘Academic Member’ of ‘Athens Institute for Education & Research, Athens. Greece. He is Joint-Secretary of Karnataka Sociology Association. He is ‘Executive Committee Member’ for the Indian Red Cross Society, Belagavi. He is associated as ‘Life Member’ to ‘International Sociological Association’; ‘Indian Sociological Society’; ‘Karnataka Sociology Association’; ‘Association of Gerontology’ and ‘Indian Red Cross Society’. He visited Toronto, Canada; Bangkok, Thailand and New York. He is awardee of ‘Karnataka Rajya Pratibha Puraskar’ and was honoured ‘National Merit Scholarship – Govt. of India’ & Research Fellowship for Ph.D. He is known for student mentoring activities and being an active blood donor is also known for his social service.