Situation of Senior Citizen in Old Age Home (A Case Study of Radhakrishna Old Age Home, Pokhara Lekhanath-32, Kaski)

Abstract

This study “Situation of Senior Citizens in Old Age Home” is a sociological study of senior citizens living in old age home. It is an descriptive and exploratory study which was based on the different situation and reasons behind coming in old age home who are living in Shree Radhakrishna Old Age home in Pokhara Lekhanath-31,Kaski, Nepal. The study was conducted on 20 respondents of the old age home. The respondents were chosen using random sampling method. Case studies were taken to get in-depth and reliable information in this study. Case studies are backed by direct interviews which were analyzed by qualitative analysis process using the content of the case studies. The majority of the respondents were female i.e. fifteen 75.0 percentage of respondents were female. On the basis of the marital status 10.0 percentages were unmarried, 20.0 percentages were married and 70.0 percentages were widow/widower. Likewise, on the basis of age 5.0 percentages were above 90 years old, 20.0 percentages were between eighty to ninety years old, 35.0 percentages were between seventy to seventy nine years old and 40.0 percentages were between sixty to sixty nine years old. Based on the duration of stay 5.0 percentage were living below one year, 35.0 percentage were living one to five years and 60.0 percentages were living five and more years in the home.

The study concluded the situation of senior citizens and reasons behind coming in old age home. Regarding health problem and provision of treatment, most of the respondents are suffering from normal diseases like gastritis, arthritis, common cold and body pain. They were not suffering from severe diseases till now. There was a provision of monthly checkup in the home. They were expecting the positive role from family, society and the stats as living history and invaluable asset. Most of the respondents were spending their daily life by involving in religious activities (Vajan, Kirtan). They were also spending time by sharing past life experiences and involving in daily household activities. Sometimes they also visit friends and relatives and went to village they are from. Most of the respondents were happy by the management and behavior of the home. But they are unsatisfied for limited number of toilet bathroom and helpers in the home. Most of the respondents were receiving social security allowance i.e. old age allowance or single women allowance. One respondent was unable to get it due to lack of citizenship certificate.

To conclude the reasons behind coming in the old age home, most of the respondents were living in the home due to lack of family members and single life i.e. widow or widower. Likewise, few respondents were coming voluntarily although they had their family members and happy at home to devote themselves in religious activities and get mental and physical relaxation. Respondents were also in the home due to neglect and lack of source of income for livelihood In the past over years of Nepal, senior citizens were compelled to spend destitute life. But after the voice raised by different social organizations and state's own positive role, they are exercising their rights to some extent. However, it is still to do for the dignified life of the senior citizens.