Health Issues and Concerns of Women during Senior Adulthood: A Psycho-Social Perspective

2017

The boundary between middle and old age is not clearly marked by and physical or intellectual transformation. In Eastern Europe, by contrast women usually retire at 55 years and men at the age of 60 years. In the agrarian societies of developing Asian countries, retirement of 'old age' is gradual process marked by subtle change in physical appearance and the timing varies. Ageing is the universal phenomenon and no society can escape from it. Old age is considered as the age of retirement. In India, the age of retirement varies from 50-60 years. Age sixty is considered as the dividing line between middle and old age. According to 2001 Indian census, 7.0 percent of the total populations are above the age of 60 years. So this study has covered the elderly women profile, psychosocial and health problems of elderly women. The universe of the study constitutes of the elderly women in Minjur and Sholavaram Blocks in Tiruvallur District. The researcher has administered the responden...

2018

Ageing is an inevitable change in the life span of an individual. India’s old age population has increased from 19 million in 1947 to 100 million in the 21 century. According to the United Nations World Population ageing reports that the grey population has immensely increased from 9.2% in 1990 to 11.7 % in 2013, and it’s expected to triple by the year 2050 growing from 737 million to over 2 billion persons 60 years of age and older. Some regions of the world will experience rapid population aging .Ageing is a period of physical, mental and social decline which brings a host of challenges to the individual and the family. Hence, it requires special attention at all levels, the micro, mezzo and the macro levels of the society. The concept of healthy aging, Positive ageing and successful aging are being used to help people to change their negative attitude towards aging. These new terminologies are important to make people realize and bring about a change in the minds of senior citize...

—Ageing is a universal phenomenon and each human being in the earth undergoes the process of ageing which has its own vibrant, beyond human control. In the human society, ageing is considered as a social occurrence rather than physiological, as ageing is always understood in the background of social environment. Socially, this stage was considered as the sum total of one's lived experiences. Like other social institutions, ageing is also a socially constructed concept and well thought-out as social truth In India, however, all persons who are sixty years or above are included among the aged. The number of aged has increasingly multiplied since 1948, due to the decreased fertility and increased life expectancy rates worldwide (World Bank, 2011). Moreover, the world's old age population (60 years and older) had already marked the figure of 251 million in 1950 and 488 million in 1990. Based upon the data as mentioned previous, a more shocking number i.e. 1,250 million is estimated to be added to this immensity of ageing population by the year 2025 which shows a startling increase of 146 per cent (Global Statistics, 2012) In India old age population (60 years and above) are 10,32,31,265 (8.53%) according to census of India,2011. In a developing country like India, old age has become a serious social issue at the present time.. It is proved that with age, the brain mass decreases and number of brain cells suffers severe turn down. This age related changes have very important worth on functional abilities, in terms of physical, psychomotor, sensory, cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural functioning are likely to spectator a deteriorating trend as the age advances. The problems become more compound when their children start neglecting them and the elderly people face psycho-social problems and economic & health problems also. A number of factors are contributing to the problems of the aged such as Individualism, urbanization; industrialization and modernization have led to change in the economic constitution, the wearing downhill of societal values, deteriorating of social values, and social institutions such as the joint family. The main objectives of this paper is to address the certain problems of the old age people and highlight some strategies in social work perspectives for coping with old age problems.

International journal of criminology and sociological theory, 2012

Ageing is a global phenomenon. In India, majority of 75 percent of elderly persons reside in rural areas out of which about 48.2 percent of comprise women. Today these elderly women face miserable conditions in their life, as they are family-bonded and refuse to move to old-age homes. Their health problems coupled with emotional wellbeing are serious crises facing Indian society at large. In order to study the condition of elderly women in rural areas, the present study was conducted focusing on their socioeconomic and health status. It was incidental that the elderly women have also psychological problems like depression, isolation, loneliness and frustration. If these problems are not dealt effectively, they can become a source of tension and stress. This is what constitutes the substantive concern of the present study.

Journal of Sociological Research, 2021

India is witnessing rapid growth of elderly population. The population aged 60 years or older is projected to climb from 9% in 2015 to 19% in 2050 and to 32% in 2100 (UN, 2017). Aging population requires attention on their physical, social and emotional well-being. Wellbeing encompasses multiple interactive components which are beyond the conventional issues of health and diseases. There is multitude of social relationships and dynamics of social roles that women in this age negotiate in their lives. Family dynamics, compatibility with partner, household headship, decision making and level of autonomy, incidences of domestic violence, security concerns, care-giving, perceptions of self, societal status do influence quality of life and wellbeing. Using primary survey data of 165 women aged 60 to 65 years residing in urban areas in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) interviewed during first quarter of 2018, the paper attempts to understand what does well-being mean to them, how do th...

EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD)

Ageing is an irrevocable biological process and is defined as the survival of the increasing number of individuals, who have completed their adult roles. Ageing is stated as the inevitable consequence of decline in productiveness. Globally, number of old age population is increasing with advancement of biomedical technology. Ageing is population is a multifaceted process involving biological, psychological and socio-cultural changes which affects the elderly with different health related problems. The focus of the present study is to explore the effects of aging and Health-related problems experienced by elderly women in Kashmir. The present study is qualitative and explanatory in nature. The data were collected from 30 elderly women living in the district Anantnag of Jammu and Kashmir. In this study, snowball sampling is used to rectify the elderly women from different settings. The findings revealed that the major health problems (Diabetes, hypertension, cardiac illness) and psych...

Background: The demographic pyramid of India is changing fast with a proportionately greater increase in the elderly population. It appears that the socioeconomic and socio cultural transformation to higher individual freedom, hedonism, nuclear family, feminism, materialism etc. is catching older generation unaware. Aims: In the above context, the objective of the study was to identify the themes that are associated with the quality of life (QoL) of home-dwelling elderly. Method: In a qualitative study, a focus group discussion was conducted involving a group of elderly persons from different parts of Bhubaneswar, a city in Eastern India. The discussion was recorded and themes were analysed. Results: The observations indicated various themes which were influencing the QoL of older persons. Some of them were: physical mobility, financial issues, concerns regarding availability of appropriate care, expectations from family, changing family systems and traditional values, safety in the community, environment and legal issues. The discomfort in adjusting to the changes in societal attitude and behaviour and continued expectations from younger generations were having negative impact. Lack of appropriate services and care for the older persons was another concern. Conclusion: Specific factors identified in the study may help in finding appropriate remedial measures and instituting them. It appears that these concerns would need long-term, multi-dimensional and socio-cultural approach for their amelioration.

The advancement in medical science has made the life of citizens in India better in terms of increased life expectancy and improved standard of living. But at the same time it is important to add here that ageing has given rise to increased vulnerability and deprivation of elderly in the society. Importantly women are more vulnerable compared to men as they have a higher life expectancy, derive low income and face frequent interruptions in employment and incomes due to childbirth and other family responsibilities. The paper is an attempt to delve deeper into the ageing scenario and provides a situational analysis of elderly in terms of economic and social aspects i.e. marital status, work status, living arrangements and dependency of ageing population of India in general and Odisha in particular.

Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 2009

Background: Change in socioeconomic status and various health problems adversely affect an individual's way of life during old age. Objectives: To study the health and social problems of the elderly and their attitude towards life. Materials and Methods: Descriptive study carried out in the Field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine in South India. A total of 213 elderly patients (60 years old and above) who attended the outreach clinics were interviewed using a pre-tested schedule. Findings were described in terms of proportions and percentages to study the socioeconomic status of the samples and its correlation to social problems. Results: Around 73% of the patients belonged to the age group of 60-69 years old. Nearly half of the respondents were illiterate. Around 48% felt they were not happy in life. A majority of them had health problems such as hypertension followed by arthritis, diabetes, asthma, cataract, and anemia. About 68% of the patients said that the attitude of people towards the elderly was that of neglect. Conclusions: The results of the study showed that there is a need for geriatric counseling centers that can take care of their physical and psychological needs. The stringent rules for eligibility to social security schemes should be made more flexible to cover a larger population.

International journal of scientific research, 2016

India is moving towards advanced phase technologically due to which there is increase in awareness of health care among the people that led to the improvement in the quality of health care facility and increase in quality of life. Therefore this cross-sectional study was conducted with the objective to find out various reasons for sadness in elderly people and their spending of leisure time. The study was conducted during December 2015 to January 2016 for 2 months duration in a rural area in Deoli Block in Wardha district. There were more male (61.70%) in our study than females (38.30%). Result shows that most (33.06%) males were sad due to poverty followed by loneliness (16.93%), financial constraints (16.12%), illness (8.87%) and felt neglected (8.06%). Among females most common reason for sadness was observed due to illness (27.27%), followed by neglected (15.58%) and equal reasons (1.29%) of poverty, loss of spouse, loneliness, children staying away and financial constraints wer...

American Research Journal of Geriatrics and Aging (ISSN: 2639-3093) USA , 2022

Introduction: Population ageing is one of the most widely debated worldwide issues of the 21 st. Countries with big populations, such as India, have a significant population of persons aged 60 and over. In India, the population over the age of 60 has quadrupled in the previous 50 years and will continue to rise in the near future. The population group is plagued by physical and psychological issues Healthy Aging seeks to improve health care and quality of life for the nation's elderly (above 60+) population. The nation will be built by encouraging, educating, and empowering the current and future generations. Aim: In order to provide long-term, comprehensive programmes and committed care to an ageing population, this study investigates the demographic profile of older people in India. This study aims to preserve and increase functional ability, maintain or improve self-care, and stimulate one's social network. Conclusion: The study's findings supported socioeconomic and demographic variations as causes of inequity in older Indian persons' ability to mature in a healthy way. It is discovered that in order to attain good ageing for everyone, social capital, low frailty, better health behaviours, and food security are essential.

The phenomenon of ageing is gradually becoming a challenge worldwide, especially for developing countries like India. It is estimated that the elderly population will contribute 19% of the total population by 2050 against the current contribution of merely 8%. This exponential growth in the elderly population is sure to pose some serious socio–economic challenges for India. The burgeoning elderly population in India faces many issues like poor access to healthcare facilities, concern for healthcare, financial insecurity, isolation, domestic abuse, low self-esteem, neglect and idleness. This paper makes as effort to highlight the issues of elderly and their root cause. The various measures needed to be adopted to bring a change in the current miserable state of the elderly. The Government intervention required to reframe the existing policies and bring into new reforms to provide a secure and health life to the people in their golden years. The paper aims to encourage the readers to bring a step forward today, to secure their tomorrow.

Background: The health status of elderly people is neglected in different parts of the Country. This study will reflect the condition of health status of elderly people of rural areas of remote hilly state like Tripura. Material and Methods: This is a cross sectional study of elderly people having the age 60 years. The study was carried out among the elderly people of a Bridya Ashram, named “Sandhyanir” at Gandhigram Village in a rural area of West Tripura district, 10 km from Agartala City during the year 2010-2011. Results: Out of the total 90 subjects, females are dominant having 63.33% and literacy rate among elderly males and females were 22% and 12% respectively. Peoples residing in home from different parts of district are having maximum in rural background 86.67%. All the subjects were unmarried with low economical status. 60% elderly belongs to 60-65 years of age group. 70% of total samples are having moderate disability and 93.33 % are not having any psychological distress. The commonest problems of the elderly are visual impairments, 73.33%. Hearing declination was there in 63.33%, osteoarthritis in 13%, hypertension in 53.33%, insomnia in 46.67%, RTI in 43.33%, Heartburn in 23.33%, History of operations in 10%, and Kyphosis in 6.67%. Conclusion: This cluster study gives a bird’s eye view about the health status of elderly of the state. The elderly should receive the adequate medical facilities, social support and treatment irrespective to gender discrimination, financial debt and status to live an active and social productive life. Keywords: Ageing, disability, mental state, visual impairments, Medical problems.

Women and their socio-cultural life are an important concern nowadays. Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger, confident, and powerful. In the Indian patriarchal social structure, women are less powerful than men. Among women, elder women are more negligible and, in most cases, they are staying on the back foot. Their journey of life is fully accumulated by a bunch of experience and skills. Throughout life, a woman is playing and representing various social roles and statuses. She played the role of a daughter, a wife, a mother, and an elder. In her journey of life, she gathered enormous experiences and facing ups and downs. She has the experience to tackle the haphazard situations of life but when she is becoming older, somehow, she faces unexpected issues in their journey of life. Geriatric issues are a more concern-able issue because it is affecting her health and, in this regard, she needs more care and support. Apart from the geriatric issue, she is facing other issues such as lack of cooperation from the family members, economic insecurity, less important and inferior dignity, etc. Empowerment can be the best tool for solving many of those issues. So, my point is if older people becoming empowered, they can enjoy economic security, more active in decision making, and comparatively less worried regarding their health issues. Central and state governments are taking various initiatives to uplift their situation and making them economically stronger. But still, women are facing various problems and last three decades rapid growth of old age homes is indicating that society and traditional families failed to provide support and long-term care to elderly women. In this research paper, I want to explore the social images of elderly women in India. As well as I want to discover the hidden truth and limitation of government policies and programmes towards the elderly. Find out the reality and needs of old age homes in the present social structure. Objectives: Major objectives of my research are,  To explore the social images of elderly women in India.  To discover hidden truth and limitation of government policies and programmes towards the elderly.  To execute reality and needs of old age home at the present social structure Methodology: In this pandemic situation to accomplish this research I used the content analysis method. On the other hand, for the sampling, I prefer convenience sampling which is best for me to assemble the research paper within time. Based on thirty sample sizes of recent research reports, news, journals, and articles I want to complete my research article.

Background: Longevity has increased significantly in the last few decades mainly due to the socio-economic and health care developments. These factors are responsible for the higher numerical presence of elderly people leading to change in age structure, and a higher dependency ratio. In this juncture we need to reappraise the quality of life of elderly people.