WHAT MOTIVATES WOMEN SENIOR CITIZENS STAYING IN OLD AGE HOMES? RECENT EVIDENCE FROM AN EMERGING ECONOMY

Abstract

In countries like India, senior citizens have been staying with their children and have been supported by them traditionally. In most of the cases, this tradition no longer holds good due to various reasons. Often, the lack of a strong financial background makes the women isolated and ill-treated by her children after the death of their life partner (husband). In such contexts, old age homes offer an option for the aged women to meet their basic needs and emotional requirements. In the present study, having a few objectives such as understanding the family environment and profile of old women staying in old age homes, studying the reasons for their opting to stay in these homes and understanding their comfort zone, overall satisfaction with the home and the services provided by these old age homes, the researchers attempted to address the above-said issues. After data purification, 1046 responses collected from the old age homes were randomly used for analysis through SPSS. The findings will give a set of meaningful recommendations for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to ensure a dignified life for senior citizens, mainly old women. The suggestions of the present study may help in creating a healthy atmosphere for senior citizens, especially women. It may also help to elicit a positive action from the Government of India while framing policies for senior citizens.