DIMENSIONS OF AGEING: Indian Studies

Population ageing is the result of demographic transition. A society ages when there is an increase in its elderly population along with a decrease in the rest of the population. Therefore, the studies on ageing are significant for understanding the problems related to elderly care, which is an urgent need in the 21st century.

The present compilation of 33 papers, drawn from the “Indian Journal of Gerontology, ” which has been publishing studies on ageing since its inception in 1969, is therefore important in the sense that it brings together all such studies conducted by eminent social scientists in India. These papers have been grouped into six sections, viz., Quality of Life, Personality and Adjustment, Attitude towards the Elderly, Problems of the Elderly, Social Status and Social Support, and Successful Ageing.

Researchers, policy makers and NGOs working in the fields of gerontology, social sciences and psychology would find this book informative and thought-provoking. The empirical findings of these studies will also help NGOs and policy makers in organising and directing their social action.

K.L. Sharma is the founder of Indian Gerontological Association and the founder editor of “Indian Journal of Gerontology.” He has published 12 books and more than 60 papers on various issues covering multiple subjects like psychology, philosophy, education and gerontology in Indian and foreign journals. He has also presented papers at national and international seminars. Dr. Sharma is one of the nine partners of International Initiative for the Care of Elderly, a program of NICE, University of Toronto, (Canada) and a member of International Federation on Ageing, Montreal, Canada.

Dr. Sharma holds dual Masters (Psychology and Philosophy) and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur where he has taught Psychology and Philosophy for 36 years.