Evolving Patterns of Adjustment to Maintain the Functional Health of Elderly Living Alone in NCR

Abstract

Background- One of the most important determinants of the quality of life of older people is their functional

health status that refers to their capacity to perform normal daily activities. With the advent of globalization

and changing family structures, there are elderly who are left alone to fend for themselves without any formal

support. Aim & Objective: to find out the evolving patterns of adjustment in the absence of care giver of

elderly who are living alone in Delhi/ NCR. Material and Method: The study is carried under descriptive

research design. One Household Proforma was used for the purpose of obtaining their demographic

information and a pretested scale is used to elicit the information on their IADL after taking consent from the

elderly. Snowball sampling technique is incorporated for data collection. Data is collected from a structured

questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions with 80 respondents above the age of 60 years, living alone

from Delhi/NCR to find their adjustment patterns. Result: the results show that respondents are independent

for their ADL and IADL and in case of dependency the respondents have two types of support- support on

daily basis i.e, house-help and support available for in absentia of routine care takers i.e, their kin living in

the vicinity and elderly groups formed in the community. Conclusion: The respondents have formed their

own community networks that provide assistance to them in case of need or they reconcile to avoidance.