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THE EXPERIENCE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN OLD AGE HOMES

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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24018.09921

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 THE EXPERIENCE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN OLD
AGE HOMES

Javeria Khan

Department of Sociology International Islamic University Islamabad

“And your God says that do not worship any other except him and deference your parents,
if any one or both of them go to old age in front of you, do not rebuked on them and talked
with them respectably”. (AL-QURAN) (SURAH BAN-E-E ISRAEL AYAH 23)

Abstract:

The aim was to know the experience of elderly people at old age homes and how can they
improve their quality of life being part of that atmosphere. The research problem of this article
was to identify coping strategies of elderly people at old houses. The main objective is to find out
that how old age homes are affecting the life of elderly psyche logically. For this purpose using
qualitative research design In-depth interviews (IDI) will conduct from elderly, selecting
purposively whose life are affecting by old age homes. Moreover interview guide will use for
collecting the data. For this research, the data is collected from numerous old age homes in the
premises of Islamabad.

Key words:Old age, Old age homes, Problems, Look after, Coping strategies.

Background:

Elderly people are considered to be worthless and are generally deprived from element of
care and love;besides it they require a lot of courage, dedication and will power both inwardly
and outwardly from rest of the society. Mr Vijay Bhrigu showed the same courage when he
decided to do something for the deprived old citizens and intercepted the organization called
“MOKSHA MEDITATION WELFARE SOCIETY”. The first and foremost aim of the
organization is to provide food, shelter and most importantly love to those old people who are
thrown out from the hearts of their loved once.
 The Old Age Home was initially started in a small rented place, but by passage of time
this organization was noticed by other social workers and renowned people of the society.
Finally a strong team was built to strengthen this organization’s foundation and also set an
example for others to follow. “Moksha Meditation Welfare Society” is trying its best to bring
back the smile on the faces of old and deprived people. With aim to invite all those people who
want to make a contribution for this noble cause either in form of CASH orKind, they belief in
such statement “Together wecan&wewillmakea Difference”

Introduction and Literature Review:

The ageing of population both in terms of proportion and as absolute growth in the
volume of elderly persons, coming as a consequence of the on-going process of demographic
transition, has important social and economic implications. Besides creating pressures, which
may affect the overall equilibrium of the developmental and humanitarian resource management
at the country and regional levels, ageing has important implications at family and individual
levels. Concern about the issues relating to the growing proportions of elderly has become even
more intense due to socioeconomic and demographic changes that are occurring in rural and
urban segments of the society in particular because of urbanization and emigration of the more
productive young people to other countries.(Encarta Dictionary, 2009)

The present study is conducted in a urban community and the aim is to unravel that how
the elderly “themselves” describe their lives, to explore their emotional as well as physical
health, economical issues, sources of support, coping mechanisms, functional roles, cherished
relationships, sources of affection, participation in decision making, attitude of youngsters,
eating patterns and the role of religion in their lives. In order to enrich the findings, to understand
the complexity of the issues, views of elderly are taken into account. In addition the study aims
to identify the problems associate with old houses as perceived by the elderly. It is needed to
know that how they cope with these identified problems.

Ageing is every day’s problem because all of us are bound with the age and experience.
The elderly is likethe setting sun, when day ends same case is for elderly as life goes on towards
its end and a stage comes and we call it ageing. It is normal to all of us and known as a natural
phenomenon. In this particular stage one’s loose his physical and mental capabilities. Very few
of us are those who are completely free of diseases at this stage (Encarta Dictionary, 2009)

Ageing is multi-dimensional process; it involves physical, psychological as well as social

changes in life. Elderly face different problems like infections, injuries, degenerative disorders,
psychological problems which resulting in death. The ageing problem is a sociological as well as
a medical; it makes a demand that society will provide the services to them. Indeed, in the recent
time period loneliness and negligence are associated with the old age. It is just because of the
breakup of joint family system.

The urbanization and modernization is increasing day by day in life which lead us
towards a lot of problems. Furthermore, the moral values are vanishing and it leads us to a bad
situation (Bhat 2001) When life was simple it was more valuable that elderly have great respect
and space in the family and society. But now the culture, the structure and function of society is
completely changed and elderly have lost their respect and space in family and thus they have to
move on the old age homes(Gormal 2003)

Mostly when a person crossed the age of fifty, others consider him as burden as his
children think that their life is being disturbed and their freedom will be snatched by their
grandparents because of generation gap. The children start neglecting their grandparents and
parents after their marriage life and then finally sent them to the old age homes. An old age
homeis the place, where old people are living after the rejection of their children they not further
look after them and not having concern about their parents. Generally the old age homes have all
the facilities for a casual routine live like food , clothing shelter etc.but the pivotal thing which is
absent from their lives is only the love of the family, care and attention which is ultimate duty of
their children to provide them (J.M. Kloppers et al)

With increasing longevity, the issues and problems of ones are also increasing. The
disability of person and psycho-physical problems are increasing with an old age. The ongoing
changes in social values and the structure of family put serious stress on elderly. In our research
we basically capture the situation of care that is given by the institutions and the problems that
are faced by the elderly (lyer 2003)
 There are some reasons which leads the parents of old age to the old age homes. The
children frequently abusing their parents in different ways sent them to the old age homes,
whereas in the old age homes they are not cared and face a lot of problems. Some of the major
problems are as follows. Old age homes are also known as a “home away from home” mostly the
adjustment problems are faced by their inmates. More than one fourths of inmates don’t have
harmony to their co-inmates. There is no single family member around them who increases the
sense of sensibility (Hassan City India, 2014)

Elderly is the age, having a lot of physical and mental disorders. Arthritis, hypertension,
breathing problems, indigestion etc.are the major physical problems the inmates have.
Depression is one of the most common mental problems. Some of the symptoms of depression
include lack of interest in activities, loss of memory, irritability, ability to concentrate, confusion
and all. It is found that 25 % of inmates are also suffering from mental illness. Old age is called
“Dark” not because the light fails to shine but because people refuse to see it (Gowri 2003)

Misbehavior of children, financial crisis often arouse the feeling of ignorance and lack of
emotional support that compel the parents to avail the option of living in old age homes rather
than their own homes. There is a need to generate emotional support services in old homes and
for this purpose the government or voluntary agencies must formulate arrangements for
institutional support and care for the elderly.

Nuclear Family System has also been expressed as one of the reasons for shifting to old
age homes. The tradition of joint family is disappearing slowly, which was based on the love,
affection and tradition. It has also changed the life style of family. People have started believing
in “Nuclear family” rather than extended or joint as it has made people to live with his/her own
family which includes husband, wife and their children. Such culture has also affected the
emotion of each individual. In today’s time parents are afraid of their children, that’s why they
have started refusing to live with them (children) and prefer to move in the old age home (Lalan,
2014)The residents, who belonged from the well off segments of the society, stated that they
came to the old age home to lead an independent and peaceful life without any interference.

The generation gap is also a major reason of incompatibility between the old and young
people which makes it difficult for them to cope up with each other as no matter how much they
try, the elderly people will not be satisfied as they wish for their children’s time rather than
money during their old age. There is a great influence of western culture on our society and all of
us have become very obsessed with materialistic things or money and due to this we are losing
gradually our morality(Bhati, 2001)whereas, we should take good care of the old people because
everyone has to face this phase of life in future. The problems which are mostly faced by older
people in old age homes are may be physical, psychological and social as well.

More than half of the inhabitants of old age homes were suffering from one or other
mental health diseases. The prevalence of mental health problems as well as physical problems
were found to be higher in inhabitants of old age homes in comparison to community. The
reason could be significantly more psychological stress, negligible family support, lack of
medical (physical/mental) care or facilities, restricted environment of old age homes and
financial constraints, etc.(Reddy VM, Chandrashekar CR, 1998).

Loneliness is more about psychic disconnection than physical solicitude. The primary
feeling of loneliness has something to do with a genetic instinct that equates safety with physical
closeness to our family, Sometimes loneliness is felt like near death condition. The emotion of
loneliness is not just personal Loneliness in life is just like anger and fear and it is one of the
universal primal emotions groove in humanity’s sub consciousness. Most of us can’t resist it and
become the victim of it at one time or the other’. Loneliness may lead us to Depression.

Depression is the most common mental health problems. Indeed it’s really sad when you
face a lonely old age as your children wander away from you to look after their own family. Old
people become depressed and miserable. They feel that there is no one to care for them and this
makes them to feel even lonelier and their inner mind screams in agony of rejection. People in
young age desire to mingle with their age group fellows, go for long walks, do things which they
want to do but in the very old age one’s always want interaction with their children and demand
care from them. When children do not converse with them or visit them then old people feel that
no one care for them. Old people start to perceive themselves as outsiders and surely it is a
terrible experience to say the least (Goud AA, 2015).

Economic problem which is faced by old people in our society like financial setback at
old age can be as dreadful as cancer. When elders do not have handsome amount then their self-
esteem gets battered, their happiness gets shattered and their morale is tattered to shreds (by
Anton Elli et al., 2002). They lose the respect if they depend on others for their day to day
survival. The old age homes are basically institutions which are run by any trust or some people,
the old people who are alone or don't have someone to take care can live in these places.
Helpless people of above 60 years irrespective of race, cast and creed can be rehabilitated with
the full responsibility in a centrenamed “Old Age Home/ Old Nursing”. All basic amenities like
accommodation, foods, cloths, medicines and other facilities are provided free of cost to the
neglected, unable to earn livelihood and helpless old peoples of above60 years till their death in
the center (Dolon, D and Holt, L. (2000).

Necessary medical facilities are also provided with required number of nurses to look
after the elderly. Necessary medicines are prescribed and provided free of cost and ambulances
are also available in case if patients need to be transported to other medical centers or hospitals.
It can have a pathological laboratory and Ex-Ray machine for medical diagnosis. The elderly
will receive free medical check-up regularly at the medical centre. In short all the facilities are
provided there which are necessary for a person to be alive.

Problem statement

Old age homes are increasing day by day! Yes, these are helpful for the elder people but my
concern and point of discussion is to explore how elderly live in old age homes, their problems
and how they cope up with their lives at old age homes.

Research questions

1. What are the reasons of elderly behind living in old age homes?
2. What kind of experiences elderly face while living in old age homes?

Research objectives

➢ To investigate the live experiences and problems of elderly living in old age homes.
➢ To find out the ways how these people are coping up with these problems.
 Conceptual Framework:

-Conceptualization: An old age home is usually the place, a home for those old people
who have no one to look after them or those who have been thrown out of their homes
by their children. The place is of course like home where the inmates get all the facilities
for a routine living, like food, clothing, and shelter.
-Operationalization:

Serial Socio-demographic dependent independent

No. Variables Variables Variables

1. Age Experience Of elderly in Old Lack of recreational

age homes activities
2. Gender Lack of care and attention
3. Family type Lack of medication
4. Income Poor Food quality
5. Occupation Problems faced by Elderly
6. Marital status
7. Reasons of living in
old age homes

Justification and Significant:

Old age homes are increasingly day by day in our country. Pakistani society has always stood
first for high values, respect and dignity of human life but now a day’s elderly is preferred as
burden on youth. They prefer their elders to live in old age homes rather than keeping with the
family but they didn’t find out the problems which they faced while living in old houses and
what type of experience they are facing. This new research project will aim to provide evidence
of which human rights are neglected for elder while living in old houses.
Theoretical Framework:

Activity and continuity theory:

Activity theory is an umbrella term for social sciences theories and research with its roots in the
Soviet psychological theories. Activity theory is pioneered by Alexei Leont'ev and Sergei
Rubinstein. These scholars sought to understand human activities as complex, socially-situated
phenomena and to go beyond paradigms of reflexology. It considers entire work/activity system.
It accounts for environment, history of the person, culture, role of the artifact, motivations, and
complexity of real life activity. One of the strengths of activity theory is that, it bridges the gap
between the individual subject and the social reality.

It is observed that the environment of elderly in which he/she lives and the background or class
from which a person belongs may affect their lives. It is generally noticed that elderly face lot of
problems while living in old age homes but they are satisfied with their life in old age house.
Culture’s perception also matters because in many societies they are considered as burden. No
doubt, after living in old age homes majority of elderly have motivation and aspiration for further
happy life. It is truth that people face a lot of complexities regarding social and economic
aspects. Generally they cut-off from their family members.

The goal of Activity Theory is to understand the mental capabilities of a single individual.
Although old aged people are considered as physically weak but in reality they are more active,
mentally stronger and more experienced rather than younger. They have capability of immediate
problem solving because of their experienced life.

The activity theory suggests that as people age, they start to lose the identity which they had in
family life. And those who continue to participate in activities and interact socially have a higher
quality of life and tend to be healthier and live longer, because it enhances a sense of self.

The continuity theory utilizes the psychological theory of personality to explore the influence of
personality on personal roles and life satisfaction (McGarry et al. 2013, 52). According to the
continuity theory, the latter part of life is a continuation of the earlier part and therefore an
integral component of the entire life cycle. Individuals will respond to aging in the same way
they have responded to previous life events. (Meiner 2015, 22-23.)
Research Methodology:

The study is based on qualitative methodology for taking the interviews of elderly on my topic.I
observed theDaily routine and behavior of elderly peopleto explore their experiences while living
in oldAge homes that what sort of problems they have and how they cope up with them.
Purposive sampling technique is used. Furthermore Islamabad is selected as universe.

Findings and Discussion:

Narrative Analysis:

Case 1:

Aabida is 68 years old, she has been a widow for over 35 years, she belongs from a joint family,
and her only child got married and when He is able to earn properly then He start considering his
mother as a burden for Himself and sent his mother to old age home.

“When my husband passed away, I was devastated. Not having lived without him a single day
during the 10 years of marriage, I didn’t know what to do with my life. My son was most
cooperative during that time but I could see a change in him a few months later. Within a year of
my husband’s death, I was an unwelcome member at home — neglected and worn out.”

She has been living in a residential care home for approximately nine years. The move into the
care home was sudden and unexpected;Aabida never thought that she would leave her own home
and live in a care home. Prior to moving into the residential care home Aabida was happy with
her own family and had a number of hobbies including painting and charity work, after her
Husband death she was forced to move toward old age home by her own son. Aabida is suffering
from a disease cancer. Along with a very severe disease, Aabida has a number of health issues
which significantly impact on her day to day life. Aabida’s social network is small, friends have
passed away and she only has a limited immediate family. She feel alone while living in old age
homes, Her family members just left her behind and move on in their happy lives. The last time
her son met was 1 year 2 month 6 days ago, she just remind the time period on finger tips and
then start weeping, she feel herself completely hopeless. Aabida wants to rejoin her own family
and want to live with them. The last time left the care home for a trip out was for a meal (over 9
months ago with her kind friend- Noureena she passed away – a very bad news). Aabida finds it
difficult to make friends with other residents partly because of her partial loss of hearing.
Aabida’s day follows a set routine which is very structured, prior to moving into the care home
Aabida was preparing her own meals at home. She greatly misses her son and her grand-
daughter. She also claims that the environment is not good where she is living. She also
describes to us that she misses her room and the moments when she happily playing with her
grand-daughter and when she was in her lap and she gave kisses on her face. Aabida describes all
the moments frequently to us with tears in her eyes. She says that when we do socialization of
our children we never expecting these acts from our children she’s disappointed from her only
child. She then starts blaming her own socialization that may be she left something that is why
she’s here alone. She suggests us to take care of our mothers, as mother is the only gateway to
Jannah and she advises us to be something for our parents not for our own selves. Aabida is a
very nice and respectful woman I ever meet; I cannot believe how his son left her behind.

Case 2:

Sherina 80 years: Lean body with grey hair, no teeth, weak eyesight but glow in face. With
bending back wrinkled skin with a look of skin wrapped to skeleton

At the age of 14 she got married and after 4 years of marriage she got divorced with son and a
daughter. Her parents were died before when she was a child, her uncle was the only person who
supported him at that time. Her husband didn’t support his children and she went to a village
named “Bamkhel” where she started socialization of her children. It was a really tough time for a
woman when after divorced she does grooming of her children without any legal or local
support. She started working we can say as a maid for few years. She did all rearing and caring
of her baby and used to stay in their home only. She never contacted again with her ex-husband
for any kind of financial support. She was uneducated but gave education to her children by hook
and crook. When her child had grown up and soon got married she felt that the behavior of his
son is changing because of his wife.

She is a brave woman left her house and prefer old age house for her further life. She never
depends on others and when she felt that now there is no place for her in the house then she
move towards old age centre. She is living over here but in-turn doing work for old age homes.
She belongs from a nuclear family; she misses her son and grandson a lot. When she talked about
them she got tears on her eyes. She is facing a problems our here in old age home because of the
nasty environment but having no regrets in her life. She suffers also with some psychological
disorders, depression and anxiety.

Case 3:

Another respondent was an old man named Ammad of 85 years, had a fringe of grey-white hair
around his balding, mottled scalp. He had a back slightly hunched. With each movement there
was the creak of old bones.
He was in the old age home before 6 years, when he faced an accident and was unable to walk by
his own feet. He was after accident then the responsibility of his two sons, who got him to the
old age care. They considered his father as a burden for them who did socialization of his
children alone gave the love of mother too who passed away after the birth of second child.
His words were:
“Oh, I don’t blame them. Although sometimes I want to blame, I try not to. So, what should I
do? Now, should I ask my children why they took me here? … Will it be useful if I ask them
about it? Ah, they took me here, so if I tell them to take me back to my house, will they be glad?
So, I closed my eyes.”
He said that my child visited me after 5 months. When I asked, “Why haven’t you visited me for
such a long time? It’s hard for me not to see you often.” [He answered,] “Dad, I was sick.” I’m
always worried about my children if I can’t see them, even if only for a day.
He said that the environment where he is living now is not good so, His health is getting bad day
by day. He also faces psychological diseases like anxiety, depression and hypophrenia over here.
Ammad can’t communicate with the people here (old age home).
He claims that: There’s nobody to talk to at all. I feel absolutely terrible, don’t I? I have no one
to talk to! I want a friend... I like talking. I’m dying to have a friend to talk to.
It was look like He is eager to get out of the nursing home and go back home, but soon He feel
that it would be in vain, because there is no place to which He can return.
Case 4:
An old lady of 91yrs named “Haseena”, she said "I can do all these activities such as eating,
doing morning care, and wearing clothes, in local word but I need assistance while bathing. I can
take bath slowly but it might cause water to split everywhere so my daughter in law helps me by
putting water while bathing. At sometimes I was dissatisfied with my family relationship and
suffered from maltreatment by my family members.

Haseena an old lady was not fit by health. She faced diabetes and she said that in every regular
blood check up for diabetes she went by herself without having my family member. Even when
she feels that her blood sugar has increased causing some physical illness, she then also goes for
blood sugar test alone. she do not call her family members to give me companionship as she
know that nobody has time to come with her for health checkup. All of them are busy in their
daily schedule.

She also claims that : It has been a long time since my son called me by saying the word 'mother'
In local language saying "AAmma to me" .

She further added that financial reasons might be the cause of being abandoned. She shared that
"I have noticed that loss of power over my own property seems to be the cause of being isolated.
I distributed all my property that my spouse had left to me among my two sons. After getting the
property my elder son and his family became in different to me. That’s why I am living with my
grandson of younger son. My younger son left house long time ago; we do not know where he
went. His wife is living in next house which was made by us (me & my husband). She is also
careless in nature and does not care about me. I sometimes feel very distress for all these
situations and want to leave the place where I am living."

Then I came here and I don’t know even about my family situation where are they lying.She
missed her family a lot and want to re join her family members. Her words were: now I am to
older and I think that no one will receive me till death (she said that and start weeping)

Haseena is a women with good heart she is simple by nature and beautiful by look. When I
called her “Amma” before leaving she hugs me tightly as she got me in form of her own
daughter. She advised me to take care of my parents she advised twice thrice and many a lot of
times before I left.
Conclusion

It is time for a new paradigm, one that views older people as active participants in an age-
integrated society and as active contributors as well as beneficiaries of development. Lifestyle
choices for Active Ageing should start early in life and include participating in family and
community life, eating a balanced, healthy diet, maintaining adequate physical activity, avoiding
smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
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