The Union Ministry of Health on Tuesday approved the setting up of two specialised national centres for the elderly. The centres will provide training to professionals and conduct research activities, apart from providing quality geriatric care. One of the centres will be at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi and the other at Madras Medical College, reported PTI.

An official statement said, "Both the national centres of ageing are expected to be Centres of Excellence in the field of geriatric care in the country. The functions of the national centres will be to provide health care delivery, training of health professionals and research activities along with 200 bedded in-patient services."

Geriatric care is the process of planning and coordinating care of the elderly and others with physical or mental impairments. The aim is to meet patients' long-term care needs, improve their quality of life and maintain their independence for as long as possible.