Aging & Social Change: Eleventh Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The twenty-first century is witnessing a gradual transition to an ageing population the world over. Old age brings with it, various health issues some of which lead to debilitating conditions. There are two categories of older persons affected by disabilities: the first category is that of persons with disability who cross the threshold of ageing and suffer due to several incapacitating conditions related to old age and disability, and the second category is that of healthy older adults who develop different ailments which can potentially cause disability such as, severe neuromuscular disorders. Besides, in the classification of disability there are visible/invisible or inherited/acquired disabilities. In India, there are various legal provisions, programmes, and services for persons with disabilities including the elderly. Around 21% of the total disabled at all India level, and the burden is predicted to increase substantially due to rising life expectancy and associated population aging. This colloquium brings four presenters with Theoretical, Practice, Research, and Policy Perspectives from the Indian context. The aim of the colloquium is to inform the audience about the extent of disabilities among older persons in India, theoretical, practice, research, and policy perspectives. The presenters bring their expertise in the respective areas.