Search

This study examined the gender differences in sleep problems among older adults in India. We also examined the role of socioeconomic status in determining the gender differences in sleep. Individuals aged 50 years and above (N = 6560) from the first wave of WHO's Study on global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) – 2007 were studied using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. In the fully adjusted regression model, older women in India were 46% more likely to report sleep problems than men. Educated and wealthier older adults had fewer sleep problems compared to their counterparts. Further, the gender difference in sleep problems is largely driven by lower socioeconomic status. There are no gender differences in sleep problems among older adults in 6–9 and 10+ years of schooling as well as middle, fourth and fifth wealth quintile (richest) categories. Gender differences could be explained further with women's mental health (cognitive function, depressive symptoms, stress etc.) and managing their overall physical health and multiple roles demands at the household level in India. Interventions focusing on women in lower socioeconomic strata will be beneficial to reduce the sleep problems in the context of the population ageing in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Intergenerational Flow of Wealth Theory of J.C. Cladwell (1976), the decision of having high fertility in the developing countries is very rational from the point of view of the elderly. They are believed to truly act as a long-lasting support system to their parents when they get old in every aspect of life, but the scenario is changing rapidly. With rapid modernization of our society children are no longer the fixeddeposit of support of elderly even in a country like India. Isolation and helplessness have become the part and parcel of life of elderly even in modern India which adversely impacts their wellbeing. This paper is an effort to quantify the level of care and support provided by the children to the elderly of the country and how this quality of care finally affects their wellbeing through their subjective health. This paper has used the data of the recent large scale project of ageing conducted by ISEC, Bangalore and IEG, Delhi in sponsorship of UNFPA, India, named "Building Knowledge Base on Aging in India". The survey is conducted to develop a knowledge base in regard to the demographic, social and economic conditions, health needs and living arrangements and entitlements. Multinomial logit estimation is used to show the impact of socio-economic factors on the different care and support aspect and also on the wellbeing of the elderly. Marginal effect shows that quality of care and support to elderly is fast decreasing. With the expected bulge of elderly population in the coming decades, government must take some steps in advance to combat with this situation. In the light of empirical results, some policy prescription has been suggested for benefit of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 7.6% of India’s population is above 60 years old. The elderly in India face multiple social, political, economic and cultural challenges including suboptimal financial security, decline of traditional extended family systems due to rural-urban migration of young people, and increasing costs of health care. In India, as is the case in many developing countries, the health systems are inadequate to promote, support and protect health and social well-being of the elderly due in part to lack of human and financial resources. The elderly find themselves exposed to harsh realities of globalization; changes in cultural values and beliefs, high disease burden from chronic noncommunicable diseases, and weak family and social welfare system. To address the health and welfare needs of this vulnerable section of society, the Government of India in 1999 developed and adopted the National Policy for Older Persons. A National Council for Older Persons and an Inter-Ministerial Committee was set up to implement the policy directions. To date, Government of India with its partners, have introduced various schemes and initiatives to promote and protect the welfare of the elderly. These initiatives include financial assistance for the construction of and maintenance of old peoples’ homes and non-institutional services to the elderly, as well as the provision of nutritious food and appropriate medical services. The Government of India, through the National Rural Health Mission has embarked on efforts to strengthen provision of primary health services and to reorient health care professionals from curative to preventive services at various levels. However, challenges remain for the health system, social welfare and health financing as the elderly population continue to rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]