Institutionalized Elderly Women-Issues & Concerns

Abstract

The elderly not only face the problem of physical changes but also undergo emotional, psychological and social changes. Some individuals cope with these changes effectively but others will experience extreme frustration and mental agony. The family members should understand the psychosocial changes and stresses experienced by the elderly and fosters necessary care and concern to them. The biological age and chronological age are closely related but will not correlate. As the age advances, the health problems tend to increase with age and these problems also depend on economic condition and family and social support system. The main objective of this investigation is to study the plight of the elderly women in the institutional settings with the following broad objectives: To make a study of personal profile of the respondents; To understand the living arrangements of the elderly women in the institutions; To assess the extent of family relationship as well as the psychological condition of the respondents; To know and understand the social status of the elderly women in the institutions; and to study the coping patterns of elderly women. Total 80 respondents were interviewed from four care homes in the Udupi District through simple random sampling method. The study reveals that majority of the respondents are from rural area and economically poor status. They suffer from depression since they lack psychological and emotional support. They express their emotions by getting short tempered and irritable. Some try to cope up with indulging themselves more with religious activities like prayer and meditation. The healthy interaction in an institution will help in getting integration and healthy bond with other inmates. The study concludes by saying the most important aspect in every human being life is to have a financial plan for future at the middle age itself.