Status of Elderly People

Abstract

Senior citizens are dependent and vulnerable demographic population.They need more care, support and love.The trend of increase in aging population calls for serious concerns and actions of authorities and stakeholders to ensure good status of living of elderly people.So,this study was carried out with title “Status of Elderly People ".This quantitative study aims to identify socio-economic characteristics and issues of ageing population.This study was mainly based on primary source of data collected from study area. This research was descriptive and analytical in nature. An interview schedule was used as tool of data collection. Out of total 264 total elderly people living in Bardaghat Municipality, Ward no. 7, 157 were selected as the sample population using simple random sampling method. Data were collected by door to door visit, arranged manually and then presented using statistical tools like tables, pie-charts and diagrams. It was found that the number of female was more than male elderly in total. Majority of elderly respondents were in age group 60-64 years. The difference in literacy status of male and female was huge. About 72.6% respondents spoke Nepali language. Similarly, the majority of respondents were Hindu (93.6%), married (69.5 %) and living in joint family (73.9 %). Large population of elderly people suffer from chronic body pain, hypertension and diabetes. Around 87.9 percent had some health issues and 58.6 percent were seeking treatment in hospital and 29.3% received health service from health post. Most of the elderly respondents were well nourished but neglectful about regular medical checkups. The issues and problems of elderly people were economic deficiency, physical weakness, social isolation and hate from family. Provision of better social security programs, accessible and affordable health facilities, recreational activities targeting elderly people were useful methods to tackle these issues. The study suggests the government, NGOs and INGOs in collaboration needs to prepare elderly-oriented programs and provision to ensure physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health of elderly along with solutions to their issues. The researcher further suggests conduction of similar research at national level and use of the data to plan policies and programs accordingly.