A Comparative Study to Assess the Level of Psychosocial Problems of Elderly Females in Old Age Home and in Families, Bangalore

A high prevalence of mental disorders is seen in elderly age. The problems experienced by elderly women are more acute, who are economically dependent solely on the families. In the advancing age, when the aged loose friends, job status, power influence, income, health etc. bring host of problems related to physical, economic, social and psychological aspects. Elderly is a crucial phase where the physiological, psychological and socio-cultural changes in elderly contribute to develop anxiety, depression, and stress.

To assess and compare the level of psychosocial problems of elderly females in old age home and in families.

Non experimental descriptive research design and descriptive comparative survey approach was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in Sri Sai Dattatreya Old Age Home, in Janan Jyothi Nagar and Mallathehalli Primary Health centre, Bangalore. The samples of this study comprised of 30 elderly females in old age home and 30 in families at Bangalore. Non-probability, Purposive sampling techniques was used to draw the sample. The tools developed and used for the data collection were socio-demographic proforma and 3 point rating scale. The content validity was obtained from the six experts and the reliability was obtained by test re-test method. Feasibility of the study was confirmed by pilot study. The data was collected by structured questionnaire method and the The collected data was analyzed by means of inferential and descriptive statistics.

The findings of the study revealed that majority of elderly females 15(50%) had severe psychosocial problems, 9(30%) of them had moderate psychosocial problems and 6(20) % of them had mild psychosocial problems in old age home, whereas, in families, majority of elderly females 15(50%) had mild psychosocial problems, 10(33.33%) of them had moderate psychosocial problem and 5(16.67%) of them had severe psychosocial problems. The unpaired-‘t’ test was carried out and it evidenced that there was significant difference in the level of psychosocial problems of elderly females between old age home and in families.

On the basis of the findings, the study concluded that the severity of psychosocial problems were more among elderly females in old age home compared to the elderly females who were living with their family. The elderly citizens are in need of urgent attention to understand, manage and prevent psychosocial problems