Health problems and healthcare needs of elderly- community perspective from a rural setting in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20171351Keywords:
Healthcare needs, Gerontology, Community geriatrics, Qualitative researchAbstract
Background: Population is ageing in India. Health care and other needs associated with ageing have risen. The study objectives were to explore the concept of ‘healthy ageing’; health problems of elderly; and felt needs in the care of elderly perceived by the community.
Methods: Total of five focus group discussions was conducted. Three Focus group discussions were conducted with family members of homebound elderly and one discussion each were conducted with primary health workers and residents of old age home to supplement the qualitative information gathered from the family members.
Results: The participant could make a long list of geriatric health problems. But, their knowledge and attitude towards them was grossly incorrect. All the problems were regarded as part and parcel of ageing for which help was not sought proactively. Mental health problems were regarded as ‘behavioural’ and ‘psychological’ problems. The health problems had its bad effect on family relationships. The perceived healthcare needs were mostly of palliative nature. Day care centres were proposed to improve social interaction of elderly. The community could not afford the level of services which they need. Home care visits by a health team were regarded highly useful.
Conclusions: Wide spectrum of barriers to healthcare access of elderly exists in the community. In this regard, a comprehensive community based geriatric health care program including health promotive, preventive, curative and palliative services needs to be formulated with a strong component of health education.
References
Raju S. Ageing in India in the 21st Century: A Research Agenda [monograph on the internet]. Mumbai: The Harmony Initiative; 2006.
Census of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Chapter 2, Population Composition. In: SRS Statistical Report. 2011.
Rechel B, Doyle Y, Grundy E, McKee M. How can health systems respond to population ageing? Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2009: 17.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Operational Guidelines- National Program for Health Care of the Elderly, Policy and Strategy Framework For implementation. New Delhi: Directorate General of Health Service; 2011: 1-3.
Krishnaswamy B, Sein U, Munodawafa D, Varghese C, Venkataraman K, Anand K. Ageing in India. Ageing Int. 2008;32(4):258.
Kumar V. Health status and healthcare services among older persons in India. J Aging Soc Policy. 2003;15(2/3):67-83.
Bains P, Minhas A. Profile of home-based caregivers of bedridden patients in north India. Indian J Community Med. 2011;36(2):114-9.
Arno PS, Levine C, Memmott MM. The economic value of informal caregiving. Health AFF. 1999; 18(2):182–8.
Shaji KS, Kishore NR, Lal KP, Pinto C, Trivedi JK. Better mental health care for older people in India. Indian J Psychiatry. 2004;46(4):367-72.
Patel V, Prince M. Ageing and mental health in a developing country: who cares? Qualitative studies from Goa, India. Psychol Med. 2001;31(1):29-38.
Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Govt. of India. Report No. 507: Morbidity, Health Care and the Condition of the Aged, Jan.-June, 2004. New Delhi: National Sample Survey Organization; 2006: 60.
Menston CM. Aging and Sexuality. West J Med. 1997;167(4):285-90.
Holzapfel S. Aging and Sexuality. Can Fam Physician. 1994;40:748-50.
Sivamurthy M, Wadakannavar AR. Care and support for the elderly population in India: Results of a survey rural North Karnataka. Paper presented at: IUSSP 2001. Proceedings of the 24th General Conference of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population; Salavarado, Brazil. 2001.
Lena A, Ashok K, Padma M, Kamath V, Kamath A. Health and social problems of the elderly: a cross-sectional study in udupi taluk, karnataka. Indian J Community Med. 2009;34(2):131-4.
Teerawichitchainan B, Pothisiri W, Long GT. How do living arrangements and intergenerational support matter for psychological health of elderly parents? Evidence from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. Soc Sci Med. 2015;136-7:106-16.
Burn K, Szoeke C. Grandparenting predicts late-life cognition: Results from the Women's Healthy Ageing Project. Maturitas. 2015;81(2):317-22.
Chokkanathan S, Lee AE. Elder-mistreatment in Urban India: A community based study. J Elder Abuse Negl. 2005;17:45–61.
Chakraborty F. Contributions of the elderly in an agrarian setting in rural West Bengal: Perspectives on Policy. Paper presented at: Proceedings of the International Conference on Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction: Lessons from Eastern India. Bhubaneswar, India. 2001.
