Socio-economic status of elderly people: A case study from Dhamilikuwa VDC, Lamjung District, Nepal

Abstract

Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the life expectancy of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Most developed countries set the age of 60 to 65 for retirement and old-age social programs eligibility. In Nepal, individuals over 60 years of age are considered elderly. The number and population of elders are increasing at a faster rate than other age group in the population. The majority of senior citizens in Nepal are living in rural areas depending upon their agricultural profession, and living under poverty. They suffer from deprivation, illiteracy, poor health and nutrition, low social status, discrimination and restriction on mobility. Gender inequality and discrimination against women is a common social phenomenon that elderly widows suffer the most. In the same way, there may be differences in lifestyle of elderly based on their race, ethnicity, cast etc. Considering issues of senior people, Dhamilikuwa VDC of Lamjung District is selected for this study. The study has mainly focused on obtaining information about the status of elderly in the society and their living condition. This study was carried out by using primary as well as secondary sources of information. The obtained data from different tools and technique were categorized according to requirement. Different statistical measure like diagram and tables were used in presenting and analyzing the data in descriptive way. The government needs to think for the design and implementation of location-specific livelihood programs for the physically capable senior citizens living below the poverty line which would also use their skill and knowledge, on the one hand, and contribute to reduce the household poverty and vulnerability of the senior citizens themselves, on the other hand. The senior citizens are, indeed, the “repository” of the traditional knowledge and skills which are hitherto unutilized and therefore, there is also urgent institutional need at the level of state to formulate the concrete programs for their use to the development of the society.