Women, Ageing and Mental Health

This book presents a variety of cross-cutting issues on the theme of mental health and aging women. Until now little existed in the way of mental health of older women. Rich with primary data, Women, Ageing and Mental Health fills the void. It presents latest research on older women as it explores the interrelationships of socio-cultural-demographic factors, biological changes and physical health, linking all these with mental health. The book addresses the issues of middle class Indian women some of them born a few decades before India attained its freedom. After an introductory chapter on the global and Indian scenario of feminisation of ageing, emphasis is upon the significance of such studies in the changing social realities of the 21st century. Considering that anthropometric characteristics of individuals and populations can also be used as predicators of ill health, this simple non-invasive technique was, therefore, used liberally to examine the biological age changes in women. This is perhaps the first ever research studying the anthropometric age changes in Indian women. Thus this book presents a penetrating analysis of the primary theme of mental health of women in old age, taking into consideration a range of factors possibly influencing it. Though not a text book, the book would serve as a useful reference document in universities and colleges teaching gerontology and geriatrics; research institutes, non-government organisations working in the fields of health and welfare of the elderly, including the supervisory staff of old-age-homes, day- care- centers, geriatrics nursing staff; and policy planners in the State and Central Ministries to help them understand the magnitude of physical and mental health problems of our ageing women; the inter-relationship of socio-demographic factors, physical health and mental health, the focal point of this book.