Essentials of Geriatrics

Editors: Dr. Purushottam Giri, Dr. Vikas Kshirsagar, Dr. Bharti Koria Language: English Genre: Medical Publisher: Innovative Publication Year of Publication: 2025 Pages: 252 ISBN: 9789348565983 MRP: Rs 575/- I recently read the book “Essentials of Geriatrics.” This is a compendium of chapters curated by a trio of editors consisting of Dr. Purushottam Giri, Dr. Vikas Kshirsagar, and Dr. Bharti Koria, all being Community medicine practitioners. The aging of the world’s population and the associated health problems are becoming increasingly severe. According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 years or older. Moreover, this aging has further extended to low-and middle-income countries. It is estimated that by 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population aged 60 and older will live in low- and middle-income countries.1 The resource-constrained situation of healthcare facilities in India is widely known. The “burden” of this dependent population would necessitate allocation of a major portion of the poorly-available resources. Thus, it becomes imperative to acknowledge and understand the situation, prevent the catastrophe, and have the action plan handy. This timely-published “Essentials” compendium serves the purpose by discussing the unique challenges that extend far beyond medical issues, encompassing functional, social, psychological, and legal domains. Gerontology, thus, is not only a clinical responsibility of the medical fraternity, but it becomes a national and global issue requiring political will and social collaboration of many agencies with a holistic approach. This book underscores this point. This compendium has aptly been organized into salient chapters ranging from core content such as physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health to niche topics such as cardiology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, oncology, and surgery pertaining to the old. There is a separate chapter devoted to the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.2 The book discusses the requirement of important patronage from the government, the policymakers, and the institutions working toward social justice, as well as the very much need to start the care from each home that houses this underserved population. The contemporary issues, such as the legalities involved, the requirements of assisted-living facilities, old-age homes, and hospice care, are also discussed in detail. This compendium, while trying to fill the void, should have benefited from better editing. While the majority of chapters aim to educate the general practitioners, few seem to target the lay public. Specifically, the chapters of “Surgeries in Geriatrics” and “Nutrition in Elderly” would have been better coauthored by subject experts along with the community health ones to bring in the practical aspects. Nonetheless, this potpourri tries to bring forth the issue with an umbrella approach. I recommend this book for those health professionals who are willing to practice gerontology, as an essential-read in their noble endeavor!