India’s Nurses Need Specialised Training for an Ageing Population
India’s elderly population is growing rapidly. By 2050, the number of citizens above 60 is projected to double, reaching over 300 million. With rising age comes a predictable increase in age-related illnesses, especially dementia. Yet, India’s healthcare workforce—particularly nurses—remains woefully unprepared to meet this growing demand.
Currently, very few nursing institutions include dedicated modules on geriatric or dementia care in their core curriculum. The absence of specialised instruction results in nurses who may be competent in general care but lack the communication, patience, and emotional intelligence required for treating elderly patients with cognitive decline. This deficit affects both hospital and home-care settings, where such patients often face neglect, misdiagnosis, or improper medication management.
Policymakers and educators must act fast. Experts recommend integrating gerontology and palliative care into undergraduate nursing programs, with hands-on training in elder-care homes and hospices. Additionally, certification courses in dementia care, supported by both government and industry, could upskill existing professionals quickly.
India cannot afford to wait for a crisis to act. Building elder-friendly health systems starts with training those who are at the forefront of patient interaction—our nurses. Investing in their education now will be the key to dignified, compassionate ageing for tomorrow.
-Raja Aditya
