Geriatric syndromes consist of common clinical conditions affecting the elderly population. They lead to multiple, interacting medical and social deficits that increase the risk of adverse health outcomes, including dependence, institutionalization and also death. Research over the last few decades, in this area of medicine, has led to evolution of newer syndromes that pose a greater challenge to the physician. The present review aims to provide a synopsis of some of the newer syndromes like frailty, osteosarcopenia, sleep disorders and oropharyngeal dysphagia that have emerged in geriatric literature in recent times.

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Introduction: Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide after ischemic heart disease Socioeconomic burden of stroke can he reduced by proper treatment of modifiable risk factors and maintaining adherence to treatment. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with non-adherence to treatment of modifiable risk factors in elderly stroke patients. Methods: Prospective observational study with 100 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted in Neurology department. Government Medical College Kota between June to September 2018. Risk factors for stroke and reasons for non-adherence to anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics and antiplatelet agents were studied in detail. Results: Various modifiable risk factors for stroke present in study subjects were smoking (35%), alcoholism (16%), hypertension (82%) and diabetes mellitus (23%). Past history of stroke was present in 14% cases. Total 59 patients were non-adherent to treatment. Reasons for non-adherence include poor knowledge (47%), superstitious belief (32%), intentional withdrawal (25%), due to miscommunication (12%), pill burden (7%), side effects (3%), pill size (1%) and poor family care(l%). Conclusions: Understanding of various factors associated with medication intake and creating awareness among patient could help in medication adherence.

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Background: While it is apparent that old age is associated with multiple health concerns, the extent of its multiplicity and burden is often not clear. It was intended to find out self-reported health concerns for one month and cardiovascular risk factors in middle and older adults. Methods: In the cross-sectional survey, attendees of a Healthy Ageing Conference were approached with a semi-structured questionnaire about their health concerns and cardiovascular risks. Risk of a cardiovascular event in 10 years based on QRISK3 was calculated. Results: A considerable proportion of older adults had a range of physical symptoms, depressive mood state and memory problems. Mean number of health problems reported were 4.8±3.3 (male 4.4±3.1 and female 5.0±4.3). Cardiovascular risk was high, mean QRISK3 score for males were 22.2% (±14.4), and for females 10.3% (±6.6) (p<0.05). On average, the heart age was increased by 7.9±6.2 years (8.6±6.6 years for males and 5.0±3.3 for females). The relative risk of participants was 2.1 for males and 1.5 for females for heart attack or stroke within the ten years, compared to healthy persons. The symptoms and risk factors were elicited easily, and the process probably facilitated improving the awareness about the health concerns holistically. The survey also identified issues related to the engagement of older adults in the existing health care systems. Conclusions: The results suggested that questionnaire-based health screening in a community can identify a range of health concerns and identify multi-morbidity in general and cardiovascular risks in particular. This process may help to focus on the appropriate public health awareness and intervention programmes required in the community.

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Introduction: Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning occurs in the diabetic patients earlier than the detectable diabetic retinopathy. We conducted this study to evaluate the RNFL thickness and macular thickness in elderly diabetic patients using optical coherence tomography in comparison to healthy controls. Material and methods: One fifty study participants were divided in 3 groups (50 each): normal subjects, patients with diabetes with no detectable diabetic retinopathy (NDR) and patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) of differing severity. The RNFL thickness and macular thickness was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). Results: The RNFL thickness around the optic disc differed significantly among all the 3 groups and tended to become thinner as the patient develops DR in elderly subjects The mean, superior-temporal and upper nasal peripapillary RNFL thickness differed anions all the 3 groups. We observed that, mean superior, temporal, inferior and nasal RNFL tended to be thinner as the patient develops DR. Conclusion: The RNFL thickness, macular thickness and ganglion cell complex thinning differed significantly between the healthy group and diabetic group without clinical DR. The RNFL thinning (measured by Spectral-domain OCT) is an early neurodegenerative ocular change in diabetic patients even before onset of diabetic retinopathy.

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Background: Aging is increasingly recognized as a health and social problem with challenges on family and the society. The present study aimed at assessing prevalence and types of abuse among elderly and the various associated factors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2018 among elderly persons (≥ 60 years) in a community developmental block of Purba-Bardhaman district, West Bengal. Based on required assumptions (50% prevalence, 15% relative error, design effect of 2 and 10% non-response) a total sample of 378 was selected through multistage sampling. With prior informed consent, data were collected using a predesigned - pretested schedule prepared with the help of Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S EAST) tool. A multivariable logistic regression model was generated using the SPSS software. Results: Among 371 subjects studied mean age was 67.39 (±6.063) years, 51.8% were females. Overall 11.9% (44) of elderly were found to be abused and prevalence of elderly abuse among females and males were 13.5% and 10.1% respectively. Psychological abuse was most frequent (95.5%) followed by neglect (84.1%). financial exploitation (52.3%) and physical abuse was least (9.1%). Among the various factors studied, living without spouse [AOR =2.690 (1.355-5.340)] and without social-security support [AOR =4.982 (1.449-17.126)] were found to be significantly associated with elderly abuse. Conclusion: Elderly populations in this study area are vulnerable to abuse and adequate social security support might reduce elderly abuse.

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Introduction: Intergenerational education encourages cooperation and interaction between two or more generations through experiences, knowledge, skills, attitudes and values Objective: The main objective of our research was to know the benefits at the psychological, social and educational level of intergenerational education. Methods: This is mixed-type research establishing relationships between young and old. The sample consists of a total of 94 people, 47 young people (aged between 21 and 40 years old) and 47 older (aged between 65 and 85 years). We promote the development of a mixed methodology to know if after the implementation of an intergenerational program we have obtained benefits in the elderly participants Results: Considering the results we can say that the benefits at the psychological, social and educational level have been very remarkable of our elders. Conclusions: We must bet on intergenerational relationships as an ideal within our daily practice achieving a healthy aging, benefiting continuity in an active social role of our elders.

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