Socio - Economic and Health Status Of Elder Population: Some Emprical Reflections From Tamilnadu, India

The rapid spread of modernization, growing urbanization and crumbling of joint family system had conspired to increase insecurity and loneliness among the geriatric population. However, lack of family support, poor financial status, physical, mental disorders and guilt of being dependent on others are some of the problems nagging the elderly population in India, and other developing countries around the world. Very little attention has been focused on the plight of the elderly population in rural areas of the country. Problems of the aged in rural India indicate their exclusion and alienation from the contact of their own family members which in turn has affected them socially, economically, psychologically with implication of their health conditions. Their economic insecurity is the most pressing problem of the elderly population in the villages. The outside employment of the family members has further aggravated their sufferings and caused their loneliness. The care and support supposed to come form the family members are denied resulting in their deprivation and desertions. Consequently, the welfare intervention form GO’s and NGO’s are looked forward to fulfil their basic needs. The health care and support systems promoted through GO’s and NGO’s provide some solace to their requirements. The condition of the elderly population in rural India is not properly addressed. There is also gender disparity in provision of care and support and status in rural community. This paper is and outcome of the field investigations conducted on socio-economic and health status of elder population in selected block in state of TamilNadu, India. This paper analyses the status of the elderly population in terms of socio economic and health conditions especially in rural areas which is fragmented and loses its uniqueness which result in neglect, alienation and deprivation of elder people in the family towards the provision of care and support.