Abstract

GERIATRICS AND AYURVEDA: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTHY AGING

Kusum Paridwal*, Mahendra Prasad and Bhanu Pratap Singh

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Abstract

Geriatrics is the specialty, focused on high-quality, person-centered care that aims to improve health, independence, and quality of life for older people by preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases in older adults and promoting healthy aging. According to Ayurveda, aging is an outcome of kala or parinama is one among the Swabhavika Vyadhis. Jara Chikitsa is among the Astanga of Ayurveda, specifically dedicated to geriatric care. As per estimation, India currently has around 830 million people over 65 years. to collect and compile geriatric health care data in different Ayurvedic and contemporary texts. Different Classical textbooks, modern books, different journals, and websites were referred to in the above context. Intake of nitya sevniya dravya, consumption of ajasrika Rasayana, kamya rasayan, and following Achar Rasayana, medya Rasayana, dincharya, ritucharya, pranayama, Sadwritta helps in uplifting the quality of life by manipulating aging and disease processes. These dravyas help to remove free radicals and slow down the oxidative process in the body and help prevent aging. In Old age, Vata dosha is more aggravated, and oxidative changes take place. Rasayana dravyas have anti-oxidative properties and it helps in pacifying the aggravated Vata dosha and helps in preventing aging.

Keywords: Ahara, Rasayan, Geriatric health care.