S C Tiwari

Publications (2)0 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Nisha Pandey

  Article: Mental health problems among inhabitants of old age homes: A preliminary study.

  S C Tiwari, Nisha M Pandey, Indrapal Singh
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  ABSTRACT: An exceptional increase in the number and proportion of older adults in the country, rapid increase in nuclear families, and contemporary changes in psychosocial matrix and values often compel this segment of society to live alone or in old age homes. As this group of people is more vulnerable to mental health problems, therefore a pilot study was carried out by the Department of Geriatric Mental Health, Lucknow with following aim. To study mental health and associated morbidities among inhabitants of old age homes. It was an exploratory study in which information about available old age homes at Lucknow were obtained and three of them were randomly selected. All the heads of these institutions were contacted and permission to carry out the study was obtained. Consent from the participants was obtained. Survey Psychiatric Assessment Schedule (SPAS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and SCAN-based clinical interviews were applied for assessment by a trained research staff. Forty five elderly inhabitants who had given their consent to participate in the study were interviewed. Depression (37.7%) was found to be the most common mental health problem followed by anxiety disorders (13.3%) and dementia (11.1%). A majority of the inhabitants (64.4%) were having psychiatric morbidity and no one was observed physically fit. Large sample studies are needed to substantiate the observations.
  Indian Journal of Psychiatry 04/2012; 54(2):144-8.
• Article: Status and requirements of geriatric mental health services in India: an evidence-based commentary.

  S C Tiwari, Nisha M Pandey
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  ABSTRACT: In view of appreciable improvements in health care services in India, the longevity and life expectancy have almost doubled. As a result, there is significant demographic transition, and the population of older adults in the country is growing rapidly. Epidemiological surveys have revealed enormous mental health morbidity in older adults (aged 60 years and above) and have necessitated immediate need for the development of mental health services in India. The present population of older adults was used to calculate psychiatric morbidity based on the reported epidemiological data. The demographic and social changes, health care planning, available mental health care services and morbidity data were critically examined and analyzed. The service gap was calculated on the basis of available norms for the country vis-à-vis average mental health morbidity. Data from a recent epidemiological study indicated an average of 20.5% mental health morbidity in older adults. Accordingly, it was found that, at present, 17.13 million older adults (total population, 83.58 millions) are suffering from mental health problems in India. A differing, but in many aspects similar, picture emerged with regard to human resource and infrastructural requirements based on the two norms for the country to meet the challenges posed by psychiatrically ill older adults. A running commentary has been provided based on the available evidences and strategic options have been outlined to meet the requirements and minimize the gap. There is an urgent need to develop the subject and geriatric mental health care services in India.
  Indian Journal of Psychiatry 01/2012; 54(1):8-14.