THE DIMENSIONS OF AGEING IN KERALA

Abstract

The study tried to understand the dimensions of ageing problems .This study revealed that
around one third of aged suffer from problems like loneliness, harassment from family, ignorance by
family etc. Even though majority of aged do not face this problems, this is a very disturbing trend. So,
the younger generation could do a lot for the happiness of the lives of the aged. In the traditional society
elders enjoyed a sense of humor, dignity, power and responsibility in decision making in the family and
the community. Even now if possible youngsters should include the elders in decision making, compel
their presence and company in all occasions, get their blessings for important events etc.

INTRODUCTION

According to UNs projections by the year 2050 the number of older persons is expected to be
more than three forth from 600 million to almost 2 billion. As per 2001 census, India has a population of
102 crores. Out of this the aged constitute 80 million or 8%.Ageing is generally defined as a process of
deterioration in the functional capacity of an individual that results from structural changes, with
advancement of age or population above 60 years of age.

Worldwide, there is an increase in the total population. Besides this notable feature there is an
increase in the aged population and ageing of population is a significant product of demographic
transition. This phenomenon of population ageing is universal, with the average of the population
exceeding 65 years in the world and 60 years in India and 68 years in Kerala. Kerala has the largest
proportion of aged population as compared to the other states. Along with the urbanization and
industrialization of the world, persons aged 60 years and above is going to be highest in Asia. Ageing has
become a big problem today previously it was limited to developed countries but now it is found in
almost all countries.

Human service professionals also perpectuate ageism. This is done more covertly by denying or
limiting services, by not including ageing issues in training material or educational offerings, and bynot
requiring geriatrics training for medical students even though older adults will comprise a significant
proportion of their parents. The same criticism can be made about training of professional social workers
who receive little information about the ageing process although many of their clients will be aged.The
consequences of ageism is discrimination. This will have harmful effects on the individuals. Ageing
creates numerous familial, social, economic, psychological, emotional and medical problems due to the
rapid industrialization, urbanization and the changing social value.

OBJECTIVES

The following are the objectives of the present study.

1. To the study about the extend of aged population in Kerala.

2. To examine the socio-economic back ground of the aged population.
3. To understand problems faced by the aged population.
NEEDS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
As our life-expectancy from birth increases, then our population as a whole gets older. The
proportion of people who are over retirement age is increasing and therefore the median age of the
population is also increasing. (The median age is the age at which half the population is older and
half the population is younger.) This can have many consequences including:

Pressure on the health service as older people are more likely to be susceptible to age-related
illnesses.
Pressure on families to care for older relatives.
A greater proportion of people losing their independence and quality of life due to ill health or
low income (or both).
METHODOLOGY

The study is based on both primary and secondary data:

Primary data here been collected through the interview schedules conducted for 60 aged peoples.
Data are collected by using convenience sampling method .The secondary data used in this study has been
collected from published sources like journals, books, internet etc The simple statistical techniques like
percentages, arithmetic mean etc is used for analysis of data.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Problems faced by the aged population

To study the population faced by the aged population we can consider the following variables.

1. Behavior of children and grandchildren

2. Harassment from family.
3. Interaction with the young generations.
5 Neglect from family and society.
6 Feelings of ignorance.
1. Behavior of children and grandchildren.

Some of aged population responded like they always got hurted by their children and
grand children but some of the them are never hurted. Some of the aged are sometimes hurted.
The following table shows the hurting behavior of children and grandchildren.

Table 3.1

Behavior of children and grand children

Category Number Percentage (%)

Hurting Always 3 5
Hurting Sometimes 29 48.33
Never 28 46.66
Total 60 100
Source : Primary Data
This table shows the behavior of children and grandchildren towards the aged population.
Around 5% of them are always hurting 48.33% of them are says that sometimes hurt the
aged people; 46% of aged are says that never hurt the aged people.
 2. Harassment from family

Harassment from family influence the metal situation of the aged population. The following table
shows the extent of harassment from family.

Table 3.2

Harassment from family

Category Number Percentage (%)

Harassed 22 36.66
Not Harassed 38 63.33
Total 60 100
Source : Primary Data
Around 36.66% of the aged population have harassment from others. But majority of the
aged population have no harassment from others.
3. Interaction with young generations

Interactions with young generation is a major problem for the aged population.
Sometimes they faced difficulties in interact with young generation. The following table shows
the interaction of aged population with young generations .

Table 3.3

Interaction with young generations

Category Number Percentage (%)

Always 6 10
Sometimes 38 63.33
Never 16 26.66
Total 60 100
Source : Primary Data
Around 63.33% sometimes interact with young generation; 26.66% have no interaction with
young people; and 10% of aged always interact with the young generation
4. Neglected from family and society

Neglect from family and society is the infliction of physical, emotional/psychological, sexual or
financial harm on an aged. Neglect can also take the form of intentional or unintentional neglect of
an aged by the caregiver.The following diagram shows aged people neglected from family and
society.

Diagram 3.1

Neglected from family and society

Neglec
ted

63.33 Not
36.66 Neglec
ted
 Source : Primary Data
This diagram shows the neglection by both family and society; 36.66% of aged are
neglected by family and society and 63.33% are not neglected by family and society.

5. Feelings of ignorance
Aged have the feelings that lost the value, importance and of being able to contribute to the
world around us . And they also feel they are ignored by rest of the world.The following
diagram shows feelings and ignorance of aged people .
Diagram 3.2
Feeling of ignorance

Neglect
ed
36.66; 37%
Not
63.33; 63%
Neglect
ed

Source : Primary Data

This diagram shows the feeling and ignorance especially aged people facing. Around
61.66% of aged are not feeling they are ignored; and 38.33% were feel that they are
ignored.
6. Sufferings from diseases

Aged faces the diseases like vision and eye diseases, hearing loss, depression, sleep disorders,
diabetics etc. The following diagram shows sufferings from diseases of aged population .

Diagram 3.3

Sufferings from diseases

Neglecte
d
36.66
Not
63.33
Neglecte
d

Source : Primary Data

 This diagram shows the suffer from any diseases 51% are suffer from diseases and 48.33%
are no suffer from diseases.

SUMMARY &CONCLUSION

The present study derives the following inferences from the data collected.

1. The expenditure on food items tells that 40% of aged made less than Rs.1000; 41.66% of them
spend Rs.1000 to Rs.2000; 18.33% of aged made Rs 2000 to Rs 3000.
2. The expenditure on non food items tells that 63.33% have made less than Rs 1000 for non food
item. 20.33% of aged made Rs 1000 to Rs 2000. 8% of aged made Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 for non food
items.
3. The expenditure on medicine shows that 71.66% of aged spends less than Rs 1000 for medicine.
15.33% made Rs 1000-Rs 2000; 5% of aged spend Rs 2000-Rs 3000 and other 5% of aged made Rs
3000 and above
4. The saving habit of the people tells that 78.33% have the savings; 21.66% have no savings.
5. The engagement in social activities shows that 60% of aged has no engaged in social activities and
40% of aged are engaged in social activities.
6. The role of taking decision in the family reveals that 60% are sometimes feel about the decisions
making; 13.33% are always taking decision in the family; 1.6% are often taken the decision in
families; 25% of aged are no taking any decision in the family.
7. The behavior of children and grandchildren section tells 48.33% of them are says that sometimes
hurt the aged people; 46% of aged are says that never hurt the aged people and 5% of them are
always hurting..
8. Harassment from family show that 63.33% have no suffered from harassment; and36.66% says that
they suffered harassment from family.
9. Interaction with young generation tells that 63.33% sometimes interact with young generation; 10%
of aged always interacts with the young generation; and 26.66% are no interacting with young
people.
10. The feel being neglected by both family and society shows that 63.33% feels that they are not
neglected by family and society; 36.66% of aged are feel they were neglected by family and society
;.
11. Around 61.66% of aged have not feeling they are ignored when they are hospitalized and 38.33%
feels that.
12. The suffer from any diseases show that 51% are suffered from diseases and 48.33% are not suffered
from any diseases.

CONCLUSION

Even though the society is aware about the importance of aged people they are ignoring them totally. In
order to solve the various problems faced by the aged people, who were once the valuable resources of
our nation, an overall change in the attitude of the members of the society is needed in this rapidly
changing environment in order to offer protection of the aged. The government should take initiatives for
the establishment of organization for handing the problems faced by the aged. The community should
realize the qualities, abilities and usefulness of the elderly. They have abundances of experience and
wisdom that cannot be gained from anywhere else. So the community should offer care and protection of
the elder.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Bhende.A.Asha and Kanitkar Tata(1982): Principle of population studies. New Delhi.Himalaya

publications
2. Prakash. B.A(2004):Keralas Economic Development;performance and problems in post
liberalization period New Delhi.Sage publications.
3. Talwar. G.P(1978):,A status study on population research in india;New Delhi,Tata Mcgraw-Hill
publishers.
4. Thompson. S,Warren(1978): Population problems;New Delhi,Tata Mcgraw-Hill Publishers.
5. Zachariah, K.C.,S,Irudaya Rajan(eds)(1997). Kerala,State Demographic Transition:Determinants
and consequences.New Delhi.Sage Publications.

JOURNALS AND PUBLICATIONS

1. Kerala Calling(2004):Ageing special;vol2.4,No.10,August
2. Kerala Calling(2006): Vol.26,No.4,February
3. Internet