Social Work and Quality of Life An Experimental Intervention Among Institutionalized Elderly

Abstract

Research is a scientific determination and effort of discovering unknown facts from the known particulars. Old age is a golden age where their life experience should be added to years rather than adding years to life. In this golden phase of life, every individual undergo different challenge, physically, psychologically, socially, and environmentally. Demographic regimes had resulted in the hike of elderly population globally due to the decrease in fertility rate and increase in life expectancy. newlineIn the Indian context, the elderly people had enjoyed dignity, respect and freedom. As a part of modernization of thinking the joint family systems had been demolished and this resulted in a flight of elderly groups into institutions. The major reason for mushrooming of the institutions is the lack of proper guidance in society and family during childhood, lack of proper bondage in family, lack of respect towards elders, and excessive job stress of children. The present family system does not ensure the physical, psychological, social and environmental wellbeing of the elderly. Most of the families alienate these individuals which results in isolation, depression and many other psychological disturbances leading to physical and social issues. The elderly people are ignoring the fact that they are just like musk deer having vast amount of life experiences. This eventually ends up in institutionalization. newline