Here, I would like to provide you with an overview of my doctoral research work, which focuses on the mixed-method aspect of studying the impact of several factors on frailty syndrome among older adults in India.

The aim of my research was to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics, psychosocial health, functional capacity and physical activity, nutritional and morbidity status, and health-related quality of life with frailty syndrome among older adults. Additionally, I explored the perception of quality of life and frailty among older adults through focus group discussions.

To conduct this study, I chose Udaynarayan, a field area located in the Howrah district of West Bengal, Eastern India. It is worth noting that a national study had already reported a high prevalence of frailty in West Bengal, making it important to understand the underlying reasons. As an anthropologist, I believe that fieldwork is crucial for gaining a deep understanding of the subject matter. Therefore, I conducted face-to-face interviews in the households in Udaynarayan over a period of two years, collecting data in several installments.

In my field area, there was already an ongoing geriatric welfare program for the past few years. This provided me with an excellent opportunity to compare the group of older adults who were enrolled in the program with those who were not. By analyzing the data, I found that the geriatric welfare program had a significant impact on frailty among older adults. These findings highlight the importance of implementing such programs, particularly in rural settings where more than 70% of the elderly population resides.

One key finding of my study is that frailty is not solely a medical aspect but rather a multidimensional phenomenon. It is essential to consider various factors when studying frailty and making policy decisions. This understanding will contribute to the development of a country-specific frailty tool for everyday use in primary healthcare centers. Such a tool would be cost-effective and less time-consuming, benefiting healthcare professionals in their assessment and management of frailty among older adults.

Based on the outcomes of my research, I am motivated to continue working on this topic in my future projects. I believe that by focusing on a country-specific frailty tool and conducting further studies, we can enhance our understanding of frailty syndrome and make significant contributions to policy-making and healthcare practices.

Thank you for visiting my website, and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions or would like to learn more about my research.