Due to the aging trends, the health of the elderly has emerged as an important health issue globally. These trends were already distinct in the developed countries, but in recent years it has also become a concern in the developing countries. In 1998 the elderly population (defined as 60 years or above) in Pakistan was 7.3 million (5.6 percent of the total population), which would increase to 26.84 million (11 percent of the total population) in 2025.  

The number of male members in the community is more as compared to females. In rural areas of Pakistan, elderly population estimated as about 4.8 million, where they only have access to primary level health care facilities, whereas the private medical facilitates are concentrated in urban areas.  

In 1994 and 1998, surveys conducted on ESCAP guidelines indicated that most of the elderly were living in extended families and more than half were suffering from various illnesses and were dependent on their families. The preliminary results of the year 2000 survey showed that primary needs of the elderly were shelter, clothing, and also some amount of cash for day to day living. At this point in time, priority should be given to strengthening of the existing national programme aiming at provision of health care for the elderly, appropriate training of the health care staff and creating mass awareness among the political leaders, NGOs, religious bodies and community leaders in the field of elderly health. 

 WHO’s work in this area was to sensitize policy makers to the need for prioritizing strengthening the existing national health programs providing health care to the elderly and providing appropriate training of health personnel in the care of the elderly. 

Objectives

1. To improve health and social status of the elderly.

2. To improve geriatric elderly care in the country.

3. To identify and solve common problems facing the elderly.