Health Policy Issues and Health Programmes in ... - Amazon S3

Care of the ElderlySession 6Care of the ElderlyA K Singh, Senior Executive Officer, HelpAge IndiaAgeing Scenariol 77 million in 2001: males 37 million, females 40 millionl 177 million in 2025: males 84.96 million, females 92.04 millionl Population over age 80 in 2000: 6,320,000l Population over age 80 in 2025: 33,936,000l 72% residing in rural areas in 2001l 73% of the older persons illiterate in 1991l 40% living below poverty linel 55% of women (60 years or more) are widows.Throughout the world, population groups are ageing rapidly. As family unitsbecome smaller and young adults relocate to find work, increasing numbers ofolder people are left to cope alone. In recent years, the family as an institutionhas undergone a metamorphosis both in terms of structure and function.Industrialization, migration, and urbanization have reduced the extendedfamily to a nuclear family, no longer performing the functions of social securityand socialization of the younger generation. With children migrating to urbanareas for better economic prospects, older people are left alone facingeconomic and social challenges. Most of them want to stay in their homes iftheir quality of life can be maintained. The result is a growing need for homebasedcare services.Home care refers to a range of services provided to people in their own homes, toenable them to continue living as actively and independently as possible. Homecareservices fall broadly into two categories—(1) social care and (2) health care.Social care encompasses both practical and emotional support. It includeshome help (housekeeping), delivering or preparing meals, carrying out errands,escorting (accompanying older individuals on essential visits, for example, tothe doctor), paperwork (filling in forms, writing letters), contact with outsideagencies, some assistance with personal care, and befriending the person.199