Need for a geriatric hospital

The medical problems of the old, who are in majority, require special attention. The absence of geriatrics in our hospitals makes their treatment rather hard.
The advent of new life-saving drugs, early detection of diseases like tuberculosis, cancers, reduction in infant mortality, better living and diet have all contributed towards improving the human life span.
The break down of the joint-family system, due to socio-economic reasons, growth unemployment has compelled the youth to migrate to foreign countries in search of jobs, have made elderly persons feel insecure, abandoned and left in the lurch.
Deprivation of their life-partners, due to separation or natural death, has created an insurmountable problem of loneliness and has made them have depressive fits.
Geriatrics and medical patients, while co-existing with other diseases, come up every now and then with new complications like acute bronchitis, ischaemic heart disease, uraemia, stroke, hypertension, parkinsonism, prostatic enlargement, cancers, hernia, intestinal, obstruction, insomnia, general debility, senile dementia and chronic constipation are their ultimate end.
Physiotherapy and mobilisation helps the stroke, handicapped and invalid patients' life.
In view of the aforesaid health problems, there is an urgent need for a full-fledged Geriatric Hospital or a well-equipped Geriatric Ward in big hospitals with sonic beds in small hospitals for the comfort of the old patients.
This can be done at affordable cost, with the help of NGOs and philanthropists, who are already running charitable hospitals in the cities and are also sending the resource-less patients abroad for treatment of their cancers, cardiac disorders, bone marrow transplant and other delicate surgical operations, facilities which are incidentally not available here.
Octogenarian should keep themselves ready for every eventuality like dislocation, fracture of the hip and other bones, impeded eye vision and amnesia that directly affect the quality Of their lives.
In advanced countries in the West, Geriatric was started half a century ago. But it is still non-existent in our hospitals that necessitates its urgency.
Young doctors should, therefore, be trained in this speciality to deal with the recurring problems of the old with care, devotion, confidence and love that is required by the elderly patients at their fag end.