A comparative study to assess the stress, depression and anxiety among senior citizens living in selected old age homes and with families in Bhilai, Durg (C.G.)

Older persons constitute one of the most vulnerable sections of the society. They are not only physically weak but also lack in economic resources, self-esteem and social status. Under the changing socio-economic and demographic conditions family is unable to provide support and care to the older persons and some are also feeling elderly are useless. Thus, old age put more wrinkle on one's mind than on his face. According to word of Seneca “Old age is an incurable disease”. It cannot be prevented rather it can be protected and promoted.

The present study is aimed to assess the stress, depression and anxiety among senior citizens.

The study was conducted in Aastha parisar vridhha ashram, sector 2, Bhilai and Maitrikunj Risali, Bhilai C.G. Comparative Research Design with Nonprobability convenient sample was adopted for the study.

In the present study the investigator selected a sample size of 30 senior citizens living in old age home and 30 senior citizens living with families Bhilai C.G. After obtaining informed consent data was collected using – 1 Self structured questionnaire to assess the socio-demographic variables, 2. DASS-21 scale to assess the level of stress, depression and anxiety.

The study findings reveal that the senior citizens living in old age home were having more stress, depression and anxiety as compared to senior citizens living with their families. The results of the study reveals that there was significant association of stress level among senior citizens living with families with selected socio demographic variables i.e.; “marital status” chi-square value (13.75) was greater than the table value (11.34) at P<0.01 level of significance. The results of the study reveals that there was significant association of depression level among senior citizens living with families with selected socio demographic variables i.e.; previous residential background as the chi-square value (6.58) was greater than the table value (5.99) at P<0.05 level of significance The results of the study reveals that there was significant association of anxiety level among senior citizens living with families with selected socio demographic variables i.e.; “how do you assess your personal health” as the chi-square value 8.18 was greater than the table value (7.82) at P<0.05 at level of significance.