The Hindu : Study sheds light on life of elders

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 29, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Study sheds light on life of elders

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI JUNE 28. A study conducted among senior citizens of Amballoor village panchayat in Ernakulam district has revealed several interesting facets of life led by the rural folk of the State in general and the older generation in particular.

This is the first time that all the senior residents of a panchayat in the State are subjected to a detailed study. The findings shed light on the life patterns and shatter some of the popular beliefs. As many as 2,793 elder citizens living in 12 wards of the panchayat came under the survey. It was conducted by the Senior Citizens' Forum of Kanjiramattom with the help of the panchayat during the period from August to December, 2001.

One of the notable findings was the increase in the number of women in the upper age group in comparison to the national figures. The study revealed that the ratio of men and women in the 60 plus age group was 45:55. In the 60-69 age group, the percentage of men stood at 50.32 while that of women at 52.49. In the 70-79 category, it was 37.3 and 34.43 respectively while in the 80-89 group, it was 10.96 and 11.97 respectively. In the 90 plus list, the percentage of men was 1.42 and women 1.90.

According to the all India census, 1991, as many as 60 per cent of the senior citizens above the age of 60 belonged to the 60-69 age group while 40 per cent belonged to the above 70 year age group. The change in the local figure is a pointer to the longevity of the Keralite. A woman aged 105 years topped the list of the aged in Amballoor.

One of the myths that is being shattered by the survey is on the literacy front. As many as 24 per cent of the senior citizens in the panchayat are illiterate. Only 10 per cent of the seniors have passed SSLC or acquired higher qualifications. Among the educated, Christians gained the majority position, followed by Hindus and Muslims.

According to the study, 66 per cent of the elderly population have their own income. Pension forms the source of income for 1,324 persons. Of them, 330 are government service pensioners. As many as 745 people are farm labour pension scheme beneficiaries. Old age pension is received by 108 persons and widow pension by 45 women. In terms of percentage, 57 per cent get farm labour pension, 20 per cent State Government pension, 8 per cent old age pension, 5 per cent Central Government pension, 3 per cent widow pension and 1 per cent disabled pension. Of the seniors, 67 per cent get an annual income below Rs. 5,000 while 11 per cent get income between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000. A total of 19 per cent get Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 and 3 per cent get more than Rs. 50,000. The majority of upper income earners belong to Christian community. As many as 25 per cent of senior citizens continued to be engaged in income-earning work like farming (12.74 per cent), labour (6.87 per cent) and business (1.79 per cent).

With regard to marital status, the study found that 63 per cent were living with spouse, 35 per cent had lost their partners and 2 per cent had remained unmarried. There were 822 widows (54 per cent of women in the 60 plus group) and 159 widowers (13 per cent of men).

As many as 2,040 registered some or other incidents of illness; 753 had no serious ailments. A total of 9 per cent were affected by heart disorders, cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, etc. While the women were more confronted by backache and eye diseases, men had more incidence of heart ailments and asthma. While blood pressure affected 217 men and 364 women, asthma affected 173 men and 131 women, diabetes complaints were registered by 127 men and 146 women, diseases of joints were felt by 192 men and 367 women. Allopathy is the mode of treatment for 73.2 per cent while Ayurveda is adopted by 14.8 per cent and Homoeopathy by 3.6 per cent. Mobile medicare, a novel programme conducted by one of the neighbouring panchayats, has included Amabaloor panchayat also for service.

Children are present in 60 per cent of homes. This is a major factor in maintaining a healthy atmosphere at home. Old age homes are not at all liked by the elderly in general, but 69 of them expressed inclination to the idea. In fact, there is no old age home in the panchayat. The nearest old age home is at Edakkattuvayal panchayat, functioning for the past 8 years.

The panchayat has a total of 5,353 houses. There are 2,051 houses in which senior citizens reside. As many as 1,097 persons or 86.44 per cent stay in own homes. Among the men, 86 per cent are staying in own houses. In 16.29 per cent houses, the elder parents were staying with their sons. There has been no case of elders having no house to stay. According to the survey, the houses are in good condition reflecting on the interest taken by Keralites in building and maintaining own houses. Only 2 per cent of the houses were thatched ones. As many as 34 per cent of the houses have telephone connection.

The senior citizens were unhappy with the existing treatment facilities. They expressed agony over inadequate job opportunities in the rural areas and stressed on the need to promote carpentry, handloom and other rural job-oriented sectors. A rubber industrial estate making use of rubber wood for manufacturing various objects was also mooted by the senior citizens. More employment avenues for the youth would mean higher income to the family and result in better care for the elders.

As many as 89.1 per cent are non-vegetarians. There is no marked difference in men and women as far as this habit is concerned. As regards smoking, there were a few women who admitted that they smoke occasionally. Among the men, 67.3 per cent had no habit of smoking. Again, in the case of drinking habit, there are a few women who consume liquor occasionally. Among men, 78.45 per cent do not consume liquor.

The study moots some changes in the eligibility norms for pension. Those widows who have sons aged above 20 years are denied pension now. There is no query as to whether the son is employed or not. Further, the annual income has to be below Rs. 3,500. The income limit for pension scheme for disabled is Rs. 6,500 and for farm labour is Rs. 11,000. It is high time that a unified rule is applicable to pensions of this kind, according to the study report.

Another important suggestion is to revive agriculture in the panchayat. Paddy cultivation was the main farming activity in the panchayat, but the high cost of farming and the unremunerative prices have resulted in keeping the fertile lands idle. Provision of high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, pumpsets and sprayers at subsidised rates would go a long way in revitalising the farming activity which in turn would reflect on the better condition of the old people.

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