An increase in the number and proportion of older people has a significant impact on all dimensions of society. The demographic transition that we are observing in recent times is mainly due to a decline in premature mortality, medical innovations, including vaccination and discovery of antibiotics, and improvements in sanitation, housing and nutrition. Simultaneously, there has been an increase in the availability, accessibility and aff ordability of quality health care.

With the advancement of age, there is often a general physical decline and people become less active. Further, due to the loss of loved ones, health problems, trouble in socializing and keeping oneself economically active or other reasons, many older people feel lonely, sad and stressed. An increasing number and proportion of older people in the population, with their specific health problems and health-care demands, presents a challenging situation on a global scale. There is an urgent need to integrate geriatric care services in our health-care delivery system. Geriatric care focuses on the quality of life, control of disease and other distressing symptoms, and provides attention to the psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of geriatric patients and their families.

Nurses are regarded as the backbone of the health-care system. Moreover, the provision of holistic care, apart from system-specific treatments (with medicines or surgery), forms an integral component of the care of older patients. (2020–2030), has developed this manual with the objective of filling the vacuum between the demand and availability of geriatric nursing. This manual contains the vital aspects of nursing in the care of older people. It will serve as useful reference material for nurses dealing with the care of older people, directly or indirectly. It will also contribute as a reference material for trainees in geriatric nursing training. This manual will aid in building the capacity of nurses with clinical

knowledge of the unique needs, complex health problems, common geriatric syndromes, and principles of care of older people. It will also enable them to acquire the skills necessary to perform an in-depth multidimensional geriatric assessment. This manual will go a long way in establishing eff ective geriatric care services and improving the awareness of nurses regarding the various aspects of geriatric care in the WHO South-East Asia Region.