Ayurvedic Care for Seniors: Supporting Longevity and Graceful Aging

Providing Ayurvedic practices that promote healthy aging and longevity for seniors.

Old age is a sensitive phase; elderly people need care and comfort to lead a healthy life without worries and anxiety. Lack of awareness regarding the changing physical and behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to many problems. 

Birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age are the most crucial stages in a man’s life. All these stages have their very own issues and troubles. As each level passes, the physical strength as well as the mental stability deteriorates. 

It is believed there are over 80 million older folks in India. Since age progresses, various medical issues happen, some of the particular known diseases usually are blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure issues, arthritis, cancer malignancy, joint pains, tuberculosis, as well as kidney infections.

Let’s delve into how this age-old Ayurvedic science offers a holistic approach to addressing the unique needs of our elderly population, harnessing the power of Ayurveda for senior citizens. 

Jaravastha – Geriatric Care – An Ayurvedic perspective

Geriatric care refers to a comprehensive system of healthcare for older patients that focuses on managing chronic illnesses, promoting function, and optimizing quality of life in the later years. 

Ayurveda doesn’t view ageing as a disease process but as a natural, inevitable progression where the mind and body can remain healthy. As the science of life and longevity, Ayurveda aims to improve quality of life and self-dependency rather than just extend the years of life. The aim of Ayurveda is to achieve total overall good health on all levels. 

Jara Chikitsa or Rasayana Chikitsa is one of the eight specialised branches of Ayurveda and is dedicated to elderly/geriatrics and rejuvenation therapy. This is one of Ayurveda’s key strengths.

Ayurveda for Seniors – Embracing the Ancient Wisdom in Geriatric Care

In old age, imbalances in doshas can manifest as various health issues, from arthritis and digestive problems to cognitive decline and insomnia. 

In Ayurveda, there are three stages of life known as Vaya. Balavastha up to age 16, Madhyavastha 16-60 and Vriddhavastha or Jirnavastha after 60 which is the elder years. In elder years the vata dosha dominates so there are more catabolic activities taking place in the body which can lead to many chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, hypertension and stroke. The sense organs, speech, memory and cognition can also degenerate.

Agni (digestive fire) weakens with age leading to diminution of the dhatus (tissues), therefore leading to a decrease in ojas, the prime essence responsible for vitality and immunity.  

Ayurvedic practitioners assess an individual’s doshik constitution and tailor treatments accordingly, using a combination of dietary modifications, herbal remedies, yoga, and meditation to restore equilibrium and promote vitality.

Seniors experiencing joint pain due to Vata imbalances may benefit from warm oil massages and gentle stretching exercises for improving mobility. 

Similarly, those struggling with digestive issues linked to Pitta aggravation can find relief through cooling herbs and mindful eating practices to soothe inflammation and enhance gut health. 

By addressing the unique needs of each individual, Ayurveda empowers seniors to reclaim their health and embrace ageing with grace and dignity. 

Key factors in senior citizen care: Assessment and Monitoring

Four main co-factors related to the health should be assessed for monitoring health of seniors. This assessment will help them to improve their Quality of Life. 

• Functional Status:

Evaluation of one’s ability to perform activities required to live independently comprises functional status assessment. It can be broadly divided into 2 levels – basic activities of daily living (BADL), which includes activities of self-care such as feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, controlling bladder and bowel movements, etc. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) which includes activities to live independently such as taking medications, shopping, preparing meals, driving/using public transport, handling finances, doing household works, using telephone, etc.

• Physical Health:

Geriatric assessment should include detailed medical history and physical examination, with particular focus on problems specific to the elderly such as vision, hearing, nutrition, fall prevention, urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, and preventative health.

Common associated problems are – 

• • Vision impairment
  • Hearing loss
  • Nutrition status
  • Fall prevention
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Osteoporosis and arthritis

• Monitoring Medication:

Proper timing, dosage of medications should be monitored for better care. 

Multiple medications, wrong timings of medicines, taking medicines without consultation can cause serious adverse effects due to the drug itself, drug-drug interaction, and drug-disease interaction. 

• Cognitive Assessment:

 Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia increases with age. The prevalence of dementia is around 5% to 7%, and that of MCI is about 4 times that of dementia.  

Early detection of such conditions can help determine the reversible causes, initiate appropriate pharmacological interventions early and help patients and caregivers plan for the future. 

Common associated problems are:

• Dementia
• Sleep and insomnia
• Mood disorder

Ayurvedic practices that promote healthy aging and longevity for seniors

Food as Medicine – Offer a well-balanced diet

Always provide senior people with a balanced diet to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. They must eat whole grains and lean proteins, along with lots of vegetables and fruits in every meal. Another important tip here is to make small changes in the elderly diet, like reducing their intake of added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat.

It is important to choose wholesome, constitution specific foods that keep agni and the doshas balanced. Ensure all food is freshly prepared. Rejuvenating foods that nurture ojas tend to be heavy and nourishing so can be hard to digest. 

Maintaining a balanced agni is key to preventative health. A balanced agni is required to nourish the dhatus to build ojas. During old age the dhatu’s cannot be enhanced but they can be protected and rejuvenated. 

Support agni by including digestive spices such as turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander and fennel. 

Appropriate Lifestyle: Dinacharya (daily routine)

This is important to maintain harmony within body and mind that is in tune with the cycles of nature. This helps to keep doshas balanced.

Rest and movement are equally important

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that adults above 65 years of age must get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep each night. Therefore, if your elderly family member experiences difficulty sleeping, consult a doctor. 

Proper movement is equally crucial for the elderly. Mild exercises, like walking and swimming, can help build and maintain the elderly’s physical abilities. This can further help them go about their daily living activities easily, creating a sense of confidence, pride, and increased independence.

Pranayama breathing exercises should be practised to cleanse the mind, increases ojas, balances vata and stimulate agni. Spending time in nature is extremely important as this is the best way to rejuvenate the mind.  Abhyanga (oil massages )aid detoxification, pacify vata and nourishes the nervous system. 

Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma

Panchakarma is a deep and thorough cleanse to remove ama and excess doshas. It is very effective at relieving deep seated diseases and for improving physical and mental health, and elderly health. An annual panchakarma by a qualified practitioner is recommended.

Ensure proper medicine management

Taking the right medicines on time ensures the elderly well-being. So, whether your elderly family member is suffering from a chronic illness or minor injury, never skip medicines or take them lightly. Get a detailed schedule of the medicines the geriatric patient needs to take and adhere to it by all means. Remember, your elderly’s body won’t be able to heal or recover completely without medicines even if they are under expert care.

Encourage Socialisation

Incorporate socialization into the elderly’s self-care routine. This is specifically important because age-related loneliness can be a major cause of depression. Having a social circle of loved ones offers a great human experience and benefits the elderly’s mental health. It releases endorphins, enhances mood, and helps combat depression. Encourage the elderly to stay in touch with neighbours and people around. Suggest they join groups with similar interests. 

Make the most of modern technology

Use modern technology to enhance the elderly’s at-home care experience and streamline their recovery. 

Mindful communication is the key:

Learn and practice mindful communication with a geriatric patient. Do not feel impatient when dealing with them; speak slowly and give them time to process what is being said or asked. Mindful communication reduces stress, conflicts, and misunderstandings during elderly interactions. It also helps maintain a cheerful mind and promotes good interpersonal relations.

Our elderly people, who helped to create the modern world, should live with honor, decency, and well-being. Their needs change as they get older, so it’s critical to make sure they get the elder care they need.

Medical costs can be very expensive, particularly for elderly people. Seniors who purchase health insurance have a safety net that guarantees access to high-quality medical treatment without having to worry about money. There are various medical insurance for senior citizen plans available.

Collaboratively, we can create a better world for the elderly. By implementing these practices and fostering a culture of respect and support, we can ensure our seniors live fulfilling lives filled with dignity and purpose.

Let’s weave a silver lining for our cherished generation, honoring their contributions while building a brighter future where all ages can thrive.

Caring for senior citizens is not just a responsibility but a privilege. It is an opportunity to give back to those who have contributed so much to our lives and society.