OLD AGE

What makes old age hard to

bear is not the failing of one's
faculties, mental and physical,
but the burden of one's
memories.

FORMAL REPORT

-William Somerset Maugham

Submitted By :
Abdullah Bin Sohail
l114263
Muhammad Arslan Ali
l114440
Hira Iqbal
l11-4542
Javeria Mehmood
l114557
Kiran Ali
l11-4080
Sofia Sadaf
l114334

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................2
OLD AGE..........................................................................................................3
PROBLEMS FACED BY SENOIR CITIZENS.............................................................4
Health Problems:...........................................................................................4
Financial Problems:............................................................................................4
Rejection by Children:...................................................................................5
EARLIER STUDY ON OLD AGE PROBLEMS...........................................................6
CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY............................................................................8
QUESTIONNAIRE..............................................................................................9
COLLECTION OF DATA.....................................................................................10
FALCON COMPLEX:......................................................................................11
CAVALRY GROUND:......................................................................................12
ANALYZING THE DATA....................................................................................13
PERCENATGE REUSLT OF MODEL TOWN.....................................................13
PERCENTAGE RESULT OF FALCON COMPLEX:.................................................14
PERCENTAGE RESULT OF CAVALRY GROUND..................................................15
OVERALL PERCENTAGE RESULT OF THE SURVEY..............................................16
PERCENTAGE RESULT:.................................................................................16
CONCLUSION OF MY SURVEY.........................................................................17
RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................18
APPENDICE.....................................................................................................19
COMPARISON BETWEEN FALCON COMPLEX, MODEL TOWN AND CAVALRY
GROUND.....................................................................................................19
OVERALL PERCENTAGE RESULT OF THE SURVEY.........................................20
References:........................................................................................................21

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report was given to us by our instructor Miss Atiqa Iftikhar. This
report will first discuss the previous study regarding problems faced by
old age. In this report we have discussed the major problems faced by
the Senior Citizens. We made a questionnaire and distributed them in 3
different areas of Lahore so that we can get the view of different Senior
Citizens living in different parts of Lahore. Our survey found out that
there are 3 major problems faced by Senior Citizens. These were
Health Issues, Financial Problems and Rejection by Children.
Although our findings are different from the previous research and this
report will give details in how does this study differ from the previous
study.

OLD AGE
Old Age (also referred to as one's eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the
average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. In
most countries old people are called Senior Citizens as it is a more respectful way
of calling an old person. Senior Citizens have limited regenerative abilities and
are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. The age of
65 is traditionally considered the beginning of the senior years. Old age is observed
as an ineluctable, undesirable, problem-ridden stage of life that we all are
compelled to live, marking time until our final exit from life itself. Many people
get extremely fearful when they become old. Distinguishing old age with fear is in
fact a rather recent phenomenon. It seems to intensify as each day passes and the
world become more difficult and less comprehensible. Senior Citizens are at a
stage, where one needs to learn certain things afresh and get hold of new skills,
mind-sets and socialization norms. There is often a common physical decline, and
people become less active. Following are some of the changes faced by the senior
citizens:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Loss of hair.
Change of hair color to white.
Wrinkles on the skin.
Slower reaction times.
Reduced ability to clear thinking.
Lessened hearing.
Decrease in eyesight
Difficulty recalling memories

When a person experiences these changes he is considered to be a Senior Citizen

no matter what his/her age is. It is strange no one wants to grow old but every one
want to live long. Old age is unavoidable and every person has to experience if
he/she wants to live long.

PROBLEMS FACED BY SENOIR

CITIZENS

Problems faced by Senior Citizens are known as old age problems. Senior
Citizens mostly face health problems and fear rejection by their children.

Health Problems:
Senior Citizens face a lot of health issues. These health problems make it difficult
for Senior Citizens to go through their daily routines. Due to this, they need some
ones help to do their work and this makes them a liability for other people. Some
of the common health problems faced by the senior citizens are as follows:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Heart Disease.
Eye Problems.
Joint Pains.
Alzheimers disease.
Diabetes.
Lessened Hearing.

Financial Problems:
Other than health issues, some Senior Citizens face financial problems. This is due
to the fact that most Senior Citizens dont want to work after retiring. There are
several reasons that prompt this action. Some Senior Citizens are not physically fit
to carry on working after the age of 65.According to some Senior Citizens, they
feel that they have fed their children all their life and now its their turn to return
the favor. And due to this reason they are not willing to work after retiring.

Rejection by Children:
Another major problem faced by Senior Citizens is the rejection from their
children. Some Senior Citizens complain that their children do not support them
and due to this it becomes difficult to go through daily life routines. As people
become old they start to become a liability on others as their body is not in a
condition to complete most of their tasks. When this stage comes Senior Citizens
expect their children to become their backbone but most Senior Citizens are not so
lucky to have their children as their backbone. A lot of Senior Citizens complain
that their children ignore them and the main reason is that they dont want their
parents to become a liability on themselves.

These are some of the major problems faced by Senior Citizens and due to these
problems its getting difficult for them to live their life.

EARLIER STUDY ON OLD AGE

PROBLEMS
The research of 90s shows that when a person crosses the age of 65, he was
considered old but a later study in the 21 st century shows that a normal person who
passes the age of 66 is considered to be old.
When a person starts reaching closer to the average life span, he experiences some
health problems which are mainly eyesight weakness, lessened hearing, heart
problems, joint pains etc.
A recent research on Senior Citizens health shows the following results
1) 75% of Senior Citizens have eyesight weakness.
2) 68% of Senior Citizens have joint problems.
3) 83% of Senior Citizens have heart problems and 91% Senior Citizens say
that they have had independent treatment for their heart problems.
4) It has also been found that 77% have Alzheimers disease.
5) 61% of Senior Citizens have hearing problems.
6) 68% of Senior Citizens face hearing problems.

Another research on the financial needs of Senior Citizens shows that most Senior
Citizens receive pensions which are sufficient for them but not for everyone.
Following are the results of a research conducted by University of Waterloo on
financial problems of Senior Citizens:
1) 95% of Senior Citizens dont want to work while 5% say that their body
does not permit them to work.
2) 38% of Senior Citizens are happy at the amount they received as their
pension but 62% say that their pensions are not sufficient.
3) 43% of Senior Citizens are financially supported by their children but 57%
say that they are left entirely on their own to earn money.
4) 97% of Senior Citizens are getting benefit from Government schemes
launched for the welfare of Senior Citizens but they think that this is not
enough.
6

A research shows that most Senior Citizens lack confidence and this prompts
them to think that there is no reason for them to live. To find the reason behind
the lack of confidence of Senior Citizens and no reason for them to live, a
study was conducted by Ayr College Scotland and it experienced the following
result:
1) 81% of Senior Citizens live alone. It has been found that when a person
lives alone for some time there is too much redundant time and too much
time for belligerent. This promotes them to think that they have no reason to
live.
2) 19% of Senior Citizens live with their children. It has been learnt that in old
age children become the chief of the house and Senior Citizens are usually
shunted sideways. This promotes lack of confidence.
3) Of the 19%, 88% of Senior Citizens say that their children dont take them
with themselves. This is also a reason which promotes lack of reason to live.
4) 92% of Senior Citizens say that they are not taken in confidence when a
decision regarding the family is made.
These all reasons makes Senior Citizens lose their confidence and promotes lack
of reason to live.

CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY

Based on the previous researches it can be stated that 66 is considered to be the age
when a person is called Senior Citizens. It can also be said that even though
Senior Citizens face different health problems but the most common of these
health problems:
7

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Heart Disease.
Eye Problems.
Joint Pains.
Alzheimers disease.
Lessened Hearing.

These are some of the most common health problems and these problems prevent
Senior Citizens from going through their daily routines.
It can also be said that most Senior Citizens dont want to work after retirement
because they receive pension but still they complain that their pensions are not
enough. Most Senior Citizens are getting benefits from Government Schemes for
the welfare of Senior Citizens but they still complain that Government should do
more to help them.
According to the researches it can be said that maximum Senior Citizens live
alone and this reduces their confidence because they start to think that if they were
important their children would not have deserted them and this promotes them to
think that there is no reason for them to live.

So I have made my hypothesis which will help me in collecting the data, analyzing
the data and then making a conclusion and from the conclusion we will be able to
see that whether the result of my research will match the result of the above study.

QUESTIONNAIRE
After making my hypothesis, I have made the following questionnaire which will
help me in collecting the data required to check whether my search result matches
the above result.
1) What do you think was the age when you considered yourself to be a Senior
Citizen?
a) 55
b) 60
c) 65
2) What was your biggest fear from the following before you became a Senior
Citizen?
a) Closure of income b) Neglected by children c) Health issues
3) Do you still want to work after your retirement?
4) Have you invested in National Saving Scheme?
5) Are you receiving pension?
6) Is your pension sufficient?
7) Do you think reforms should be introduced by the Government to help
Senior Citizens live a better life?
8) Do you live alone or with children?
9) Are you included in Families decision?
10) Do your children ask you to join them whenever they go somewhere?
11) Are you suffering from Alzheimers disease?
12) Has your eyesight gotten weaker since you became a Senior Citizen?
13) Do you face heart problems?
14) Do you feel pain in your joints?
15) Do you feel any difficulty in listening?

This questionnaire will be provided to Senior Citizens living in Model Town,

Falcon Complex and Cavalry Ground. This will tell us about the problems faced
by Senior Citizens. This will also help us in discovering that which one of the
above mentioned problems is more dreadful.
The data collected through this will be analyzed for conclusion and for taking
necessary steps to help Senior Citizens.

COLLECTION OF DATA
MODEL TOWN:
10 people participated from Model town in this survey and the result is as follows:
1) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered
themselves to be old while the other 2 say 65 was the age when they got old.
2) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 3
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while 1
says that his biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 7 out of 10 Senior Citizens dont want to work while the other 3 say that if
their body permits them then they will gladly work.
4) 4 out of 10 Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) All 10 Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 7 out of 10 Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) All 10 Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 4 live
alone.
9) 4 out of 10 Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 6 out 0f 10 Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens are facing heart problems.
14) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens have problem listening.

These were the results of Senior Citizens living in Model Town.

10

FALCON COMPLEX:
10 people participated from Falcon Complex in this survey and the result is as
follows:
1) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered
themselves to be old while the 1 Senior citizen says 65 was the age when he
considered himself to be old.
2) 5 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 3
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while 2
Senior Citizens says that their biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens dont want to work while the other 2 say that if
their body permits them then they will gladly work.
4) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) All 10 Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) All 10 Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 7 out of 10 Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 3 live
alone.
9) 4 out of 10 Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 7 out of 10 Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens are facing heart problems.
14) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 5 out of 10 Senior Citizens have problem listening.

These were the results of Senior Citizens living in Falcon Complex.

11

CAVALRY GROUND:
10 people participated from Cavalry Ground in this survey and the result is as
follows:
1) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered
themselves to be old while 2 Senior citizens say 65 was the age when they
considered themselves to be old.
2) 6 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 2
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while 2
Senior Citizens says that their biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens dont want to work while the 1 Senior Citizen
says that if his body permits him then he will gladly work.
4) 4 out of 10 Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 7 out of 10 Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) All 10 Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 5 out of 10 Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 5 live
alone.
9) 3 out of 10 Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 4 out of 10 Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 7 out of 10 Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 9 out of 10 Senior Citizens face heart problems.
14) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 8 out of 10 Senior Citizens have problem listening.

These were the results of Senior Citizens living in Cavalry Ground.

12

ANALYZING THE DATA

PERCENATGE REUSLT OF MODEL TOWN
Following is the percentage result of MODEL TOWN:

1) 80% Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered themselves to
be old while the other 20% say 65 was the age when they considered
themselves to be old.
2) 60% Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 30%
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while
10% say that their biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 70% Senior Citizens dont want to work while the other 30% say that if
their body permits them then they will gladly work.
4) 40% Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) 100% Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 70% Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) 100% Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 60% Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 40% live alone.
9) 40% Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 60% Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 90% Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 80% Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 80% Senior Citizens are facing heart problems.
14) 90% Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 60% Senior Citizens have problem listening.

This is the percentage of results of MODEL TOWN.

13

PERCENTAGE RESULT OF FALCON

COMPLEX:
Following is the percentage result of falcon complex:
1) 90% Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered themselves to
be old while the 10% Senior citizen say 65 was the age when they
considered themselves to be old.
2) 50% Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 30%
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while
20% Senior Citizens says that their biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 80% Senior Citizens dont want to work while the other 20% say that if
their body permits them then they will gladly work.
4) 60% Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) 100% Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 60% Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) 100% Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 70% Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 30% live alone.
9) 40% Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 70% Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 80% Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 90% Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 60% Senior Citizens are facing heart problems.
14) 90% Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 50% Senior Citizens have problem listening.

These were the percentage results of Senior Citizens living in Falcon Complex.

14

PERCENTAGE RESULT OF CAVALRY

GROUND
Following is the percentage result of Cavalry Ground.
1) 80% Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered themselves to
be old while 20% Senior citizens say 65 was the age when they considered
themselves to be old.
2) 60% Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 20%
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while
20% Senior Citizens says that their biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 90% Senior Citizens dont want to work while the 10% Senior Citizens say
that if their body permits them then they will gladly work.
4) 40% Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) 80% Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 70% Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) 100% Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 50% Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 50% live alone.
9) 40% Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 40% Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 70% Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 80% Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 90% Senior Citizens face heart problems.
14) 80% Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 80% Senior Citizens have problem listening.

These were the percentage results of Senior Citizens living in Cavalry Ground.

15

OVERALL PERCENTAGE RESULT OF

THE SURVEY
PERCENTAGE RESULT:
Based on the above collected and analyzed data we can make a n overall
percentage result of our research which would help us in understanding the
problems being faced by Senior Citizens.
Following is the overall percentage result:
1) 83% Senior Citizens say that at the age of 60 they considered themselves to
be old while 17% Senior citizens say 65 was the age when they considered
themselves to be old.
2) 57% Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was health issues. 27%
Senior Citizens say that their biggest fear was rejection by children while
17% Senior Citizens says that their biggest fear was financial problems.
3) 80% Senior Citizens dont want to work while the 20% Senior Citizens say
that if their body permits them then they will gladly work.
4) 47% Senior Citizens have invested in National Saving Scheme.
5) 93% Senior Citizens are receiving pensions.
6) 67% Senior Citizens feel that their pension is insufficient.
7) 100% Senior Citizens agree that reforms should be introduced for the
welfare of Senior Citizens.
8) 60% Senior Citizens live with their children while the other 40% live alone.
9) 40% Senior Citizens are included in family decisions.
10) 57% Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them in their
outings.
11) 80% Senior Citizens are suffering from Alzheimers disease.
12) 83% Senior Citizens say that their eyesight has gotten weaker.
13) 77% Senior Citizens face heart problems.
14) 87% Senior Citizens have pain in their joints.
15) 63% Senior Citizens have problem listening.

16

CONCLUSION OF MY SURVEY
After conducting my survey and after analyzing the data collected it can be seen
that there is some difference between my result and the result conducted by
different universities.
According to the previous search, when a person crosses the age of 66 he is
considered to be a Senior Citizen. But my research shows that the average age of
old age is 60. Another difference is that according to pervious search 68% Senior
Citizen face joint problems while my search shows that 87% face joint problems.
The previous research suggests that 81% of Senior Citizens are living alone while
my research suggests that only 40% of Senior Citizens live alone. My research
also suggests that 60% Senior Citizens live with their children as compared to
19% according to the previous researches. Old research also suggests that 92%
Senior Citizens are not included in family decision makings but my research
shows that only 60% Senior Citizens are not included. My research shows that
57% Senior Citizens are asked by their children to join them whenever they go out
while previous research shows that only 22% Senior Citizens are asked by their
children to join them.
My survey also shows that 80% Senior Citizens dont want to work after
retirement as compared to 95% suggested by previous researches. According to
previous researches, 97% Senior Citizens have invested in Government Schemes
for the welfare of Senior Citizens but my research shows that only 40% Senior
Citizens have invested in these schemes.
The major reason between the difference of my research and the previous research
is that all the previous researches have been conducted by foreign countries where
most Senior Citizens live in special houses and most of them are not supported by
their children but the culture in Pakistan is different. In Pakistan, people care
about Senior Citizens much more and Senior Citizens are given a lot of respect.
Instead of putting their parents in special houses, most of the Senior Citizens are
being taken care of by their children and are supported by their children.
So I can say that my hypothesis is wrong as research conducted in other countries
on Senior Citizens is different as compared to research conducted in Pakistan.
17

RECOMMENDATIONS
The Government should introduce reforms for the welfare of Senior
Citizens. The pensions should also be increased to match the rising price
hike. The Government should make awareness among the Senior
Citizens, through advertisement, about the National Saving Scheme so
that maximum number of Senior Citizens can avail it. People should
respect their elders and take care of them as their parents had when they
were young. They should not forget the kindness and caring of their
parents. As it was their parents who looked after them when they were
young, now old age is the time when children should take care of their
parents. As far as the health issues go, no one can defy the laws of the
nature. After some time every human being has to encounter these and
the only way to make it less painful for our Senior Citizens is by giving
them time, attention and by giving them love and affection.

18

APPENDICE
COMPARISON BETWEEN FALCON
COMPLEX, MODEL TOWN AND CAVALRY
GROUND

19

120.00%

100.00%

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%
Falcon Complex

Model Town

Cavalry Ground

20.00%

0.00%

20

OVERALL PERCENTAGE RESULT OF THE

SURVEY
120.00%

100.00%

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%
Column2
20.00%

0.00%

21

References:
The first page of the term paper which tells the definition of old age is taken from
Wikipedia and www.squidoo.com.
The review was taken from a research conducted by Talha Imran studying in
University of Waterloo Canada and by Adeel Sarwar studying in Ayr College
Scotland.

22