Editorial Note on Elderly Living in Old Age Homes

EDITORIAL

  Old age was never seen as a problem in India. But recently ageing issues have begun to emerge as a case of social concern. Demographic, socio-economic and structural challenges are also taking place within the family institutes. India is now facing a unique situation in providing care for the elderly section and old age homes is one of alternate care facilities. Thus studying elderly in old age homes has become a significant area of social research. The study examined the socioeconomic profile of elderly who are living in four old age homes in Manipur, India. It also probes into the factors that have compelled the elderly to stay in these institutions.

The present paper is based on the study conducted in different old age homes of Manipur by taking a sample of 69 institutionalized elderly. The study revealed that most of the elderly in the old age homes were from rural background, illiterate, widowed and are economically dependent on others with female residents far more the males. The most common reasons for shifting to old age homes were verbal abuse of daughter in law, financial constraints, verbal abuse of son, nobody to look after, physical abuse, tarnishing self-respect, One of the most significant demographic changes of the time is the rapidly growing number of elderly in the world population.

This is the result of ‘longevity’ which is biggest achievement of the century. Major improvements in the field of nutrition, sanitation, medicine, health care, education, knowledge and economic wellbeing have made it possible for people to live longer. The growing elderly segment of the population will likely introduce new societal challenges for providing this group with healthcare, financial assistance and social as well as emotional support. These upcoming changes have forced the contemporary planners, researchers and policy makers to think over these issues. All these concerns are reflected in the national policy for elderly that have made various provisions for extension of support for the institutionalized elderly care apart from the participation of the voluntary and community sectors. Recognizing the importance of this particular age group, in 1990, the UN General Assembly designated 1st October as the International Day of older persons for celebrating and acknowledging the contribution of the elderly people to the society. The UN then declared the year 1999 as the International Year for older persons.

The Indian elderly population is currently the second largest in the world after China. Although old age homes started functioning from the second half of the 19th Century, the growth and development of these facilities in India is still inadequate. Studies have shown that there has been tremendous growth in old age homes in India accommodating a sizable number of the elderly. In fact, the Government of India’s National Old Age Policy (NOAP) demands that old age homes be established in every district in India as a welfare measures. Old age homes have become the best alternative for those who are poor, destitute and disabled. The need for old age homes has also risen in modern times. The very reason for the rapidly increasing of old age homes indicates in many ways the degree of neglect of the elderly in their own family by their near and dear ones. It is vital that the old age home should provide the inmates a cozy and comfortable place where they could spend the rest of their lives in peace, dignity and ease. In the old age homes, the inmates get all the basic facilities for a routine living, like food, clothing and shelter. All these necessities are looked after, but the much needed love and care of the loved ones will be missed in most of the cases in the old age homes.