Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 271-279
Rights of the Elderly: Awareness Study among Elderly
Dr. Sweta D’Cunha1, Dr. Sucharita Suresh2, Chitra Yathindra3
1,2Professor, 3Student, Department of Hospital Administration, Father Muller Medical College, Kankanady, Mangalore - 575002
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sucharita Suresh
ABSTRACT
Introduction: A report jointly brought out by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Help Age International said that India’s population is likely to increase by 60 per cent between 2000 and 2050. India has around 100 million elderly at present and the number is expected to increase to 323 million by 2050. It’s only recently that the changes in overall demography have been influential in a renewed interest in older persons’ human rights. It is now recognised that this new demographic wave will convert many aspects of society and cause new economic and social challenges. Better medical facilities, care and liberal family planning policies made the elderly the fastest growing section of the society in India.
But how far does this statement stand true. Are all elderly aware and avail the provisions implemented for their welfare? There is a need to know the awareness regarding the human rights and facilities available for the elderly citizen in India, so that measures are taken to improve the knowledge of the elderly people in this matter. A study was, hence, conducted with the objective to know the awareness among the people aged 55years and above in and around Mangalore of Karnataka state of India regarding the various programmes and provisions provided by the Government of India for the welfare of the Senior citizens.
Methodology: The research design adopted in this study was Descriptive. The respondents were selected through accidental sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaire from 385 respondents after which it was analysed using frequency and percentage and inferential method such as chi square test.
Results and Conclusion: The study showed that 57% of the respondents had moderate level of awareness regarding benefits & provisions for elderly and 39% of the respondent’s level of awareness was poor. The study showed that there is low awareness regarding the various health and welfare provisions that are provided for the elderly population. This may result in decrease in the health status of the elderly people and also reduce their quality of life. Hence there is an urgent need to undertake actions in order to spread awareness regarding the availability of various healthcare provisions in favour of the elderly people and also to enhance awareness of Human Rights among elderly people.
Key words: Elderly, Rights, Awareness