Problems of Rural Elderly Women in Kerala: A Social Work Concern

Abstract

Ageing is a multi-dimensional process that affects every aspect of human life. The traditional Indian society and the age-old joint family system have been instrumental in safeguarding the social and economic security of the elderly people in the country and they were the most respectful members in joint family. However, such values are disappearing in the families as other family members particularly working family members have very less time to give and provide prompt care to them. Good health, economic and social security and adequate housing are essential requirements of aging with dignity, but elderly especially women in both developed and developing countries face difficulties in accessing these essentials. The present article is based on a study conducted in Kerala among sixty rural women who are in the age group of 60+ to find out and describe specific challenges/problems they face in the domains of health, role and status in the family and their life satisfaction. The data has been collected using a structured interview schedule. The major findings show that: majority of the women suffer from some physical illness, more than 50 per cent of them are dissatisfied with their present physical health status and 16 per cent of them are not satisfied in their life, an alarming situation which calls for social work intervention.