Rural Elders – What are their felt needs and challenges faced by their Caregivers?

Objective: To identify the needs of rural elders (≥ 60 yrs) and to assess the challenges faced by their caregivers in providing care for the elders, in rural Southern India Methodology: The study was a community based cross-sectional study, conducted in a rural block in Tamil Nadu, India in 2016. Fi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: R Johanna, Jenny Lalramilani, R Roshni, S Sharon Sophia, Laltlansangi, J Bimi John, Joice Muchahary, Yash Alok Dhotekar, W Cherub Jane Irene, Sheejah Selvamani, Cheruba Jonathan, Kusum V Moray, Bhavya Balasubramanya, Madhu Mohan, Vinod Abraham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
Series:Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jiag.in/article.asp?issn=0974-3405;year=2017;volume=13;issue=3;spage=139;epage=146;aulast=Johanna;type=0
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Summary:Objective: To identify the needs of rural elders (≥ 60 yrs) and to assess the challenges faced by their caregivers in providing care for the elders, in rural Southern India Methodology: The study was a community based cross-sectional study, conducted in a rural block in Tamil Nadu, India in 2016. First part of the study consisted of conducting four focussed group discussions (FGDs) with male and female elders and caregivers respectively. Based on the themes from the FGDs, a structured questionnaire for the quantitative study (part two of the study) was designed. We could interview 158 elders and 96 caregivers. Results: The needs of the elders were found mainly to be in the areas of food, finances and emotional aspects. Study revealed 83 (52.5%) of the elders reported having to cook for themselves, 69 (43.6%) reported that they did not receive old age pension. The caregivers did not perceive taking care of elders as a burden.
ISSN:0974-3405
0974-2484