A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ELDERLY CARE AMONG HINDUS AND MUSLIMS IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF ALIGARH DISTRICT

A comparative study of elderly care among major religious community of Aligarh district

Introduction:

Since time immemorial, across the world history, care affairs of the elderly were totally family concerns, carried out mostly at home by women and elder themselves (Bookman & Kimbrel, 2011). In the twenty first century the needs, rights, concerns and problems of elderly persons are getting more attention of people from different walks of life i.e. social scientists, statesmen, administrators and social workers etc. Aging is neither a new phenomena nor a kind of ailment rather it’s a latter part of life cycle, considered one among the most challenging phenomena around the world- irrespective of developed and developing country as well. In, India, family based care of elderly is fastest growing concern for the big chunk of elderly population, about hundred million.

This study seeks to highlight the existing pattern of care affairs of elderly in the informal setting, and interaction between elders and cares in the family. Here, more emphasis has given to peep into the nuts & bolts of care relations among elderly and their family members.

Research problems

In the last couple of decades, innovation of wide range life saving drug, its availability and accessibility to common man have improved health of elderly, consequently the raised the life span of people worldwide and in India too, in contrast to previous normal age. That demanding lot of care and support for them includes medical, financial, psycho-social, spiritual and religious care. Now India is the home of about100 million people, taking care of elderly is of course a serious affair, can’t be left as it is going on. In due course of time, by the introduction of industrialization, urbanization and modernization in India, living style has drastically changed, where institution of joint family transformed into nuclear family. The industrial revolution not just change the people living standers, rather it’s too altered the age stratification resulting, lessen the power, prestige and importance of elderly people in society, finally, the elderly turn into social elite to social problems (macionics,2013). Because, the paradox, whether the responsibility of elderly care is a family matter or of government, becoming a matter of concern in India.

Literature review

Significance of study

From the prehistoric time, India has been a country of care, love, affection, companionship and intimacy, where elder’s status remained matter of high consideration and elders considered as nucleus of power. Till the pre-independence era, most of the families were living jointly and agriculture was the major source of income and elders were the headed the family. But, after the industrialization, urbanization and modernization, joint family turned into nuclear family. Now, their position is no more, some time their status worst to social problems. Elderly people above the age of 60, have less resources, income and high life expectancies, require more, need, concerns and cares.

Objectives of the study

1. To undertake a socio-economic, and situational analysis of the condition of the elderly people in the family.
2. To comprehend the pattern of family based elderly care practices in terms of various parameters such as religion, area (Rural-Urban), class and gender etc.
3. To develop an extensive list of needs and difficulties as faced by elders in the family.
4. To decipher psycho-social and emotional conditions of elderly people and associates factors.
5. To identify the influence of religion and religiosity on care of elderly.
6. To critically assess the changing value systems and social institutions that impinges upon the care and social support system with reference to the elderly.
7. To study the level of awareness among the elderly as regards policies, programmes and legislatives provisions & safeguards in India.

Key Words: elderly, elderly care, family based care practice, religion and religiosity

Conceptual framework

Research questions

This study will focus on the comparison care concerns and status of elderly care in the family among Hindus and Muslims in different settings i.e. rural and urban area. Further will seek to answer the following important questions concerning family based Elderly Care.

1. What are the existing system and patterns of elderly care in the family?
2. What are the dimensions and the level of care provided by the family members?
3. Who is the responsible person for the care of elderly in the family?
4. What is the quality of the elderly care in the family settings?
5. What are the major day to day challenges of elderly care in the family?
6. What is the impact of structural changes in the family on elderly care?
7. What are the sources of livelihood of elderly people?
8. What is the attitude of elders toward the care provided by family members?
9. What is the level of satisfaction among elderly about their care?
10. What are the role of religion and religiosity on care relation and care of elderly in the family?
11. What are the differences and similarities in the family based elderly care among Hindus and Muslims in rural areas.

Research Methodology

Scope of the study

This study will focus to study the day to day pattern of care relation and care of elderly and most possible issues and challenges, encountering elderly people within the family. This study will explore the level of differences and similarities of elderly care, among Hindus and Muslims family on the one hand and rural and urban on the other hand.

Universe and Sample

The study will be conducted in the selected rural and urban areas of Utter Pradesh, particularly in Aligarh District. The basic respondent of the study will be elderly people (60 or more age) and their potential caregiver in the family.

Sampling Frame

First of all, willing elderly people for being respondent for the purpose of study will be enlisted, respective to their economic classes, religion and sex, would be helpful to have proper result of the study.

Sampling Method & Sample Design

As elderly care is personal and sensitive issue the sample would be selected on the basis of purposive sampling stratification of the universe will be on the basis of religion (Hindu & Muslim), areas (rural & urban) economic class (upper, middle and lower), and sex.

SAMPLE DESIGN

Tools and techniques for the data collection

This study would be based on qualitative as well as quantitative data. Therefore mixed approach will be adopted, includes survey research for quantitative data to have empirical analysis and qualitative methods i.e. interview schedule and case study method will be used to comprehend a comprehensive and wider description to fill the gap of quantitative data. Through, direct observation and in-depth interview of elders, issues and concerns of their care in the family would be more elaborated and will cover all aspect of their care life, includes, their living arrangement, relationship with family members, in the family

References

Bookman, A. & Kimbrel, D. (2011) Families and elder care in the twenty-first century. Princeton University, 21 (2), 117-140.

Macionics, J.J. (2013) Social problems. New Jersey: Pearson publication.