Morbidity Pattern and Social Interaction Amongst Elderly Living in Old Age Homes
A. Rana1, S. K. Likhar1, V. Narkhede4, S. K. Choudhary2, K. S. Likhar3 and M. K. Mishra51Surveillance Medical Officer, NPSP, Sitamarhi, Bihar India.
2Comm. Medical PCMS and RC, Bhopal India.
3Pathology PCMS and RC, Bhopal India.
4Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Pondicherry India.
5Comm. Medical PS Medical College, Karamsad India.
Abstract: In India life expectancy has gone up from 20 years in beginning of 20th century to 62 years today; better medical care & low fertility have made the elderly the fastest growing section of society. The aim is to determine the prevalence of morbidity and social interaction amongst elderly living in Old Age Homes. A cross sectional study was conducted on 314 elderly living in 11 Old Age Homes of central Gujarat from Oct 2004 to Sept 2005. A proforma was administered to subject’s data collected which is then analyzed with the help of statistical package for social sciences software & chi-square statistical test was applied to find out association between variables. The study revealed that majority inmates were of 60 –69 years (53.8%) female (70%). 86.4% of inmates were not working at all. 2/3rd inmates (66.4%) were staying for < 3years in Old Age Homes. 30.8% of inmates were living in OAH due to conflict with other family members, 19.6% because of financial problem, 24.2% because nobody cares about them at home while 25.2% had other problems. Morbidity due to chronic disease, sleeping problem was highest in inmates (79.7%) followed by visual problem in (70.7%) inmates. As age increased number of chronic diseases increased. Urbanization & industrialization leads to outward migration of younger peoples away from parents. Hence more number of Old Age Homes are required in future to accommodate them. Majority of Old Age Persons do not have income so Government has to build OAH’s which admit the needy persons free of charge. By maintaining healthy life style like exercise, balance diet many diseases & disabilities in older age are prevented of delayed.
Keywords: Old age homes; elderly; morbidity; chronic diseases Back to TOC