By B.N. Ramya

Ageing is natural and inevitable, but ageing healthily is a choice. In today’s world, where nuclear families have become the norm, many elderly individuals find themselves in Day Care Centres or left alone as younger generations pursue their ambitions.

Beyond financial security, seniors need care, companionship and psychological support to live their later years with dignity and happiness.

On this International Women’s Day, Star of Mysore spoke to Dr. Prathibha Pereira, a Geriatrician, who has made it her life’s mission to ensure that ageing is not just about adding years but about adding life to those years.

At 66, as the Head of the Department of Geriatrics at JSS Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, she finds joy in empowering the elderly to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. — Excerpts:

Star of Mysore (SOM): Is anyone in your family a doctor? What inspired you to specialise in geriatric care?

Dr. Prathibha: I am the first doctor in my family. My biology teacher encouraged me, saying I was good at the subject and medicine was my calling. From then on, there was no turning back. About specialisation, it was around 1993-94, I noticed a shift in hospital patients — more elderly individuals were seeking care, but many specialists lost interest once they turned 60-62. I felt it was unfair to give up on them. I wanted to improve their quality of life and provide care.

SOM: With nuclear families becoming the norm, many find caring for the aged a burden. How challenging is it to head a Department dedicated to elders?

Dr. Prathibha: Caring for the elderly is challenging, especially in rural areas. Many young people move away, leaving their parents with no assistance for daily needs or medical care. Our Department takes a  comprehensive approach, including a social worker and a Clinical Psychologist.

We educate rural elders on their rights, including the Supreme Court ruling that mandates children to care for their parents. We also advise them to retain financial independence by not giving away their property.

We conduct village camps to support elderly and lonely individuals. I think we should adopt villages. I started a pilot project in one village where we identified elderly residents living alone. We provided medical care, including cataract surgery for one individual. In another case, a grand-daughter wanted to care for her grandfather but needed to work, so we helped her secure a job. Our challenge is not just medical care but also providing financial, psychological and social support.

SOM: Who supports these projects?

Dr. Prathibha: JSS has been incredibly supportive, including Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, our Vice-Chancellor Dr. H. Basavanagowdappa and Medical Superintendent Dr. C.P. Madhu. We’ve partnered with ‘Vayah Vikas,’ a social service organisation and started ‘JSS-Vayah Vikas Nodal Centre,’ an activity centre for elderly in the JSS Hospital premises in November 2024. At the centre, seniors are made to play indoor games, helping them reconnect with their past. We also conduct regular health camps.

I’m fortunate to have a strong team, including Associate Professors Dr. C.J. Tejaswini and Dr. Shilpa Avarebeel, Assistant Professor Dr. Kshama and RMO Dr. Ajay Sharma.

SOM: Are there cases where children admit their parents and abandon them?

Dr. Prathibha: We don’t allow them to abandon their parents. We counsel and guide them to general hospitals or Jan Aushadhi centres for affordable medicines. In some cases, families leave and return after a few days.

During this time, our social workers and nurses care for the elderly, ensuring they are fed and supported. We call their families, bring them back and counsel them on their responsibilities.

SOM: What is more challenging — educating youngsters on elder care or providing psychological and moral support to older adults?

Dr. Prathibha: The key is to empower the elderly. In Indian culture, older adults often become dependent on their children, but we teach them to be self-reliant. Through ‘Vayah Vikas’, we educate them on legal rights, Government support and technology use.

The biggest challenge is supporting those with cognitive impairment, as resources for them are still lacking. However, we are working towards improving their care as well.

SOM: Can you share a moment that made you proud as a woman in your profession?

Dr. Prathibha: I take great pride in supporting elderly women who care for their ageing husbands. I show them that, even at 66, I can stay strong and independent. Women often neglect themselves while caring for their spouses. I once counselled a woman whose husband had severe dementia — while he was always well-groomed, she looked exhausted, unkempt and worn out.

I made her realise that she also needed to care for herself. Eventually, she took a short vacation, leaving her husband in her daughter’s care. When she returned, she was happier and more energised. My mission is to help women understand that no matter how challenging life gets, they should never forget themselves or their self-worth.

SOM: Is ageing different for men and women? Women often struggle with menopause but hesitate to discuss it.

Dr. Prathibha: Ageing is the same, but women handle it better than men. Men also go through male menopause but often don’t recognise it. Women, on the other hand, feel guilty discussing their struggles, thinking it’s wrong to talk about their issues. I encourage them to speak up and not see themselves as victims.

I teach them the concept of ‘attach-detach’— being emotionally connected to their loved ones but not burdened by circumstances. Menopause is a difficult phase and families often don’t understand why women behave differently during this time. Just as we have education programmes on menstruation, we need similar awareness for menopause — teaching women how to manage it and ensuring society understands its impact.

SOM: Role of the family in women’s healthy ageing.

Dr. Prathibha: I often see men going for walks, but rarely women. We need to acknowledge that women age too and they need time for themselves. It’s not just about physical exercise — it’s about mental, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Husbands, sons and children must recognise this and encourage women to prioritise their health. When a woman is physically and mentally strong, she can support her family more effectively. The family must allow her this time and she must take it for herself.

SOM: Most rewarding phase of your career — have you learned something from a patient?

Dr. Prathibha: There have been many instances. When we prescribe treatment, families sometimes incorporate alternative medicine into the therapy and their insights broaden our perspective. I’ve learned that elder care shouldn’t be limited to allopathy alone — Ayurveda, homoeopathy and other approaches can be beneficial.

This led me to collaborate with Ayurveda practitioners. For example, stroke patients sent to Ayurveda centres have shown significant improvement. In cases like chronic constipation, where allopathy may not be very effective, I learned from Ayurveda experts about Anuloma, a solution that has helped many.

SOM: How do you balance family life amidst your profession? Any hobbies?

Dr. Prathibha: I don’t do private practice. I work in the hospital until 4.30 pm and then return home to spend time with my family. I am learning flute and attempting to learn a new language. I already know Kannada, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, Tulu, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam. I enjoy playing with my grandson, chatting with family, cooking a little and in the mornings, I do my session of Yoga before heading to work.

SOM: Women’s Day message for  women and men.

Dr. Prathibha: To women: Never give up on life. Don’t just exist — live fully. To men: Support the women in your lives. Encourage them to follow their passion.

Academics and family

Dr. Prathibha Pereira completed her MBBS in 1984 and MD in General Medicine in 1987 from Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangaluru. She earned a Diploma in Geriatrics in 1995 from the International Institute on Ageing (INIA), Malta, on a scholarship and also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (PGDGM) from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

With experience in various capacities at medical colleges and hospitals in Mangaluru and Bengaluru, Dr. Prathibha, who started service to elderly at KMC, Mangaluru, in 1997, has been serving in the Department of Geriatrics at JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, since 2014.

She is the daughter of late K.V. Murthy, a well-known art patron and industrialist from Mysuru and late Lalitha Murthy and resides at Bogadi with her husband, Harold C. Pereira, sons Gautham Pereira and Gaurav Pereira, daughters-in-law Archana Pereira and Mellissa Pereira, and grandson Reyan Pereira.