Aspects
Social Aspect Economic Aspect Health Aspect
The elderly were the most respected member of the family in traditaonal Indian society. The adult childern thought it their scared duty and responsiblity to take care of them. However the younger generation started drifting away from their joint family due to rapid growth of individualism. They got alienated and isolated from their root. Migration from rural areas also resulted in the growth of more nuclear families in town and cities.
Despite several social problems it has been observed that the younger generation generally looks after the elderly. Qquality of care depended to a great extent on living conditions and it varied in different communities also. Some earlier studies (Nair 1972, Nair 1990, Nair 1991) focused on the living conditions of the elderly and found them living only with their chidren. It was also noticed that actually the elder respondents were from either extended or joint families with as many as three to four generations living together. Over a period of time there came a significant shift in their living conditions especially the retirees.
According to a researcher (Sumangala, 2003) they enjoyed living alone with their spouse or with their unmarried children and some times even living separately in the same premises as their married children. In case of rural elderly it was found (Nair 1980, Nair 1990) that most of them had one or all children living in the same village. Again it has been noticed (Nandal, Khatri, Kadian) that the elderly who had handled over their property to the younger generation and retained no control over the source of income lost their role as decision-makers. In this case it was the elderly women who had to suffer loss of status more than the males. Their loss of status during any important decision making in the family was largely due to their non-remunerative roles. Many studies have focused on pensioners and retired persons. In their study of pensioners in Mumbai some researchers (Desai and Naik 1972) observed that loss of status in the family was not an important problem for most retirees. Menachery (1987), an observer, concluded that their loss of status is not brought about by retirement but in conjunction with other intra-familial and personality factors. From his study of retired persons in Udaipur, Sati (1988) found that on the whole retirees evaluated the relationship with their families as good.
The social status and respect enjoyed by the elderly population in their respective families largely depend on their education and their occupational position.
It has also been observed that urban elderly who are involved in day to day activities like assisting the spouce and the other members in house hold activies, watching television, reading newspaper, taking morning and evening walks, interacting with friends and neighbours or assisting grand children in their school work feel less inclind to loneliness.
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Elderly people have to face multifarious problem due to loss of income resulting from total or partial withdrawal from occupation combined with the loss of social status that they enjoyed while occupied. As nearly 90 percent of the total work force in india is form the unorganized sector, a bulk of people have retired without any financial security like pension or other post-retirement benifits (Siva Raju 2005 ). Thus a majority is compelled to continue in some occupation to maintain their family. Studies conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow confirm that a considerable number of retirees take up re--employment mainly due to financial constrain. Studies conducted to determine the economic condition of the elderly found that majority lead poor or very poor economic life and widows suffer the most. Another significant revelation is that while none of the elderly with childern received help. Many were helping their childern. Again ownership of land significantly affected the status of the elderly in family matters (Otta, 1989)
Other studies conducted on retires also corroborate that financial issue is the main problem. Based on the data how retirees spent their money received at the time of retirement (Siva Raju 2005 ) it was suggeted that there should be a provision for pre-retirement briefings in public and private sector to enable employees to organize their priorities and plan a better retired life, some studies revealed that the pention amount received by the retirees was quite inadequate and as a result the pensioners were engaged in some work while a few were even begging and living in the pavement. A similar study conducted in Kerela (Nair 1980) reported that majority of the pensioneers received some kind of assistance in cash or kind regular or intermittently from their kin or relatives.
However, the study conducted in Haryana shows a very bright picture. More then three fourth of beneficiares said that their lives had become more comfortable after they started receiving pension. It helped them adjust better with their families and the community as they no longer regarded themselves as financial burden.
According to national policy on older persons (Goverment of India, 1999), old age pension schemes covered about 2.76 million persons (Until January 1997). Ultimately this coverage will be significantly expanded so that the objective of including all older persons below the proverty line is acheived.
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The idea that old age is an age of ailment and physical disabilities is deeply rooted in our mind. In this last leg of life people become increasingly susceptable to chronic diseases, physical weakness and mental incapabilities as they age. Naturally health problems and medical care become a major concern among a majority of the elderly. Again many elderly cannot get proper medical aid due to various impediments.
The elderly suffer from multiplicity of diseases, to name a few, chronic bronchitis, blood pressure, heart attack, kidney problems, visionary and hearing problems, digestive problem, diabates, rheumatism, depression etc. Health condition of the aging people also depends considerably on environment and social factor like diet, addictions, education, family and professional life. Some researchers have observed that the retired persons who keep fit before and immediately after retirement continue to be free from illness during the post retirement period also..
A branch of reasearchers have also observed that with increasing age diseases are more likely to increase with widowhood and economic dependence. Elderly widows from poor socio economic familes have very poor health status. On the other hand adequte financial status, good physical and mental health, maintenance of daily schedule, retaining social network and assuming social roles influence healthy aging positively.
Despite adoption of various policies, the existing medical facilities are quite inadequte with no clear strategies or scheme for the development of the health care for the elderly. Research have felt that geriatrics wards, outpatient units and special counters should be set up in hospitals. They also have suggested creating mobile geriatric units and special counters in general hospitals for the elderly. It is proposed that all state general hospitals should have an exclusive out-patient department and general ward for Geriatric patients.
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