An Study of Elderly Care in Varying Familial Patterns

Today’s global economy and the simultaneous fast pace changes in the living

arrangements of the Indian family have affected the family’s solidarity and competence in

providing care to all its members. The present study was conducted to know the various

familial patterns in which aged are living in Jammu city; to study the psycho-social profile of

the aged in context of these varying familial patterns; to assess life satisfaction in relation to

the available familial support systems; to assess the perceptions of the family towards

aged,

ageing process and the adjustments required both by family and aged and to understand

the

needs of families caring for the aged; to know the role of NGO’s in the area of geriatric care

in Jammu District and to conduct an intervention based on identified needs.

To know the various familial patterns in which aged are living, a survey was

conducted in different areas of Jammu city and its urban outgrowths. From the survey 300

family units (150 aged males and 150 females) were identified having one of its members in

the age group of 60 years and above. Fifty children and fifty grandchildren of these aged

members were also identified during the survey. Care was taken to include families with

varying patterns and those who have been living in Jammu for the last 30 years. NGO’s were

also included to know their role in the area of geriatric care in Jammu District. Multistage

sampling technique was adopted to identify the sample.

The tools used for data collection were - Observation, regarding the living patterns

and the familial inter - personal relationship in context of aged; Interview Schedule for

aged

and their family (Children and Grandchildren); Socio-Economic Status Scale; Shamshad-

Jasbir Old Age Adjustment Inventory (SJOAI); Life Satisfaction Scale and Interview Guide

for NGO’s. The data was subjected to both content and statistical analysis. Interview

schedule and Observations were analyzed for their content.