Abstract
In the 21st century, the aging population is one of the triumphs of humankind. The aging population is now conquering not only developed nations but developing nations too. The inclusion of challenges and problems of the elderly has now been increased, especially for elderly women. It is high time to focus on this vulnerable section, which has been ignored for an extended time. Despite such development of technology, medicines, facilities, and modernization, this weaker section still lay back. Their health and mental status depend on the overall level of care given by their family members and society. Elderly women are facing more health problems than men. Most of them are suffering from chronic diseases. Loneliness is a common psychological problem among all women. The preponderance of widows over widowers among the elderly is a grave issue. Very few of them are taking medical care from medical and non-medical institutions. This chapter explores the physical and mental challenges of elderly women in India.
TopObjectives
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To study the existing literature on the physical and mental health issues of elderly women in India.
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To recognize the physical and mental health issues of elderly women in India.
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To give suggestions on the needs and demands of elderly women in India.
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To highlight the role of the social worker in creating awareness of these problems.
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To highlight the government programs and policies regarding elderly wellbeing.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Life Expectancy: The average age that members of a demographic group will be when they die is used to measure life expectancy.
Physical Health: Physical health is one aspect of overall happiness. The word applies to your physical body's state and how well it works.
Caregivers: A caregiver may be a family member or a paid helper who looks after a child or someone who is sick, aged, or disabled on a daily basis.
Elderly: The word elderly refers to those who are 65 years old or older, with those 65 to 74 years old being referred to as "early elderly" and those over 75 years old being referred to as "late elderly."
Aging: Senescence, or a decrease in biological functions and the organism's ability to respond to metabolic stress, is the result of gradual physiological changes in an organism that leads to ageing.
Mortality: The number of deaths in a population at a given time or location is known as mortality.
Mental Health: The state of a person's psychological and emotional well-being is referred to as mental health.