ELK ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

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QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLD AGE HOMES IN PUNJAB: A STUDY OF INSTITUTIONALIZED
ELDERLY

Ms Isha

Ph.D Research Scholar

Department of Sociology
Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar

ABSTRACT

In developing countries, ageing issues have only recently begun to emerge as a cause of social concern.
Demographic, socio-economic and structural changes are taking place within the family institutes. In the view of
rapid changes in the family system, India, like many other traditional societies is facing a unique situation in
providing care and support to the elderly. Consequently, old-age support structures in the form of family are now
extending into the other alternative care facilities like old age homes. Thus, it has become a significant area for the
social scientists and demographers in sociological research.

This paper highlights the reasons for the elderly to move to old age homes. Further, it also focuses on government
and non-government old age homes vis-a-vis their role in providing facilities to the institutionalized elderly as an
alternative form. The present paper is based on the study conducted in different old age homes of Punjab state by
taking a sample of 311 institutionalized elderly. This study reveals that family conflict was one of the major reasons
for shifting into the old age homes. Further, the results also indicate that there is high prevalence of institutional
facilities and services and level of satisfaction in non -government old age homes as compared to government
oriented old age homes.

Keywords: Institutionalized Elderly, Old-Age Support, Old Age Home

Introduction of life of institutionalized elderly. As a

‘Quality of life’ is defined as a person’s sense
of wellbeing that stems from satisfaction and
dissatisfaction with the areas of life that are
important to him/her. Society is confronted
with the major task of improving the quality
consequence, the institutional environment
needs to be designed to permit successful
ageing in order to maintain the highest
possible quality of life even in this living
context (Goel and Gupta, 2008). Life
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

satisfaction is related directly with the level
of fulfilment of the requirements. The
quality of life and care influence the
adjustment period for the new resident in the
old age homes.
No longer can India maintain an ethnocentric
outlook with regard to family care of elders.
The drive for prosperity, modernization, and
westernization has come with a hefty social
price tag – the erosion of filial piety. Against
the backdrop of a changing social landscape,
many older adults are opting to spend their
autumn years in alternate living arrangements
such as old age homes (Jyotsana and Jamuna,
2008). As a consequent of the implications of
demographic change and the changing family
context, it can no longer be assumed that
elderly live comfortably within their families
and receive required care and support from
their families. A new trend has emerged
where elders are increasingly shifting into
their own age cohorts i.e. old age homes over
the last century in search of required care and
support. Thus, there is an emerging need to
pay greater attention to ageing issues and to
promote holistic policies and programmes for
dealing with an aging society.
The UN estimates that the proportion of the
world’s population aged 65 or over will more
than double, from 7.6 percent today to 16.2
per cent in 2050 (available at
http://www.transgenerational.org
/aging/demographics). India and China being
the two most populous countries in Asia, with
population more than one billion each, will
thus have a significant proportion of elderly,
in future. In 1901 the proportion of the aged
60 or over in India was about 5 per cent and
by 2001 this share was found to have risen to
about 7.5 per cent and further by to 8.2 per
cent in 2011 and it is expected to increase to
be more than 10.7 per cent by the year 2021
(Central Statistics Office, 2011). Thus, the
trend reveals that this global phenomenon of
rapid ageing population affects India also and
it will become major social challenge in the
future. These demographic changes are as
consequences of the development of socio-
economic changes that has led to a decline in
mortality and fertility regimes over the last
few decades.
Although institutional care for the destitute
elderly has always existed in India, but for the
elderly especially as alternative living
arrangements is recent concept in our Indian
social setting. In India family is idealized in
terms of social, emotional, psychological and
economic support, however, reality tends to
vary from this perception. Thus, in these
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)
institutions there is need for good quality of
care and support to be readily available and
affordable to the increasing numbers of
elderly people. The recent proliferation of old
age home or institutional care appears to be
the final choice for care and support for the
elderly after all other options have been
exhausted. Through voluntary or involuntary
placement, institutional care facilities
become the final home for a portion of the
elderly.
The old age homes are mushrooming to
provide the care and support to the elderly
belongs to the different socio-economic
backgrounds. There are various reasons for
the elderly to move to the old age homes.
Three mainly factors relevant are; increase in
the elderly population, changes in family
systems at a large scale and the increasing age
of carers. These trends have serious
implications for the ability and willingness of
families to provide care and support to the
elderly. Thus, the quality of life of the
institutionalized residents, their perceptions
and level of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in
the institutions becomes an interesting field
of inquiry. In the context of the dynamic
changes taking place in family structure in
Indian society, the problem of the aged has
assumed importance. The main purpose of
this paper is to examine the quality of life the
institutionalized elderly. This paper attempts
on focuses at two major issues related to the
elderly. Firstly, it deals with the reasons for
leaving their families in their later years and
shifting to this new environment. Secondly,
how far old age homes are taking up the role
of family institution in providing care and
support to the elders. With these questions in
mind the following study was conducted on
those inmates who were residing in different
old age homes in different districts of Punjab
state.
Objectives of the Study:-
1. To study the demographic and socio-
economic profile of the inmates
staying in the old age homes.
2. To explore the reasons that forces the
elderly to stay in these old age home.
3. To know the perceptions and
suggestions of the elderly regarding
the availability of facilities and
services in the old age homes.
Methodology
Data for this paper are drawn from an
empirical conducted study on the
institutionalized elderly in Punjab State. Data
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)
were collected from twenty-five old age
homes, which were located in different
districts of Punjab. Thus, fifty per cent of
residents from each old age home (numbers
311) were randomly selected and interviewed
with the help of a structure interview
schedule. Three different types of old age
homes were found in the Punjab state;
government run, privately managed and the
homes run by NGOs. The present study
covered all the three types of old age homes
namely paid, unpaid and partially paid or
unpaid.
Review of Literature
Few studies have been conducted to
document the situation of those elderly who
are living in old age homes. Increasing
number of old age homes, in both
government and private old age homes have
drawn attention to the fact of adequate and
appropriate facilities in these homes.
In Maharashtra, 19 Old Age Homes were
studied by Dandekar (1996). He found that
the main reason for the aged moving into old
age home was the lack of proper care for
them within the family set-up. The study
found that majority of the inmates was living
free in the Old Age Homes. The study also
concluded that four-fifths of the inmates
liked the Old Age Homes. They wanted to
live there because they had nowhere else to
go to.
A survey in 1999 was conducted in Kerala
and Tamil Nadu by Rajan, Mishra and Sarma,
covering 7 old age homes and 126 elderly.
This study reveals that majority of the
inmates are happy about their stay in old age
homes and the services rendered. They are
satisfied with the quality as well as quantity
of the food served in the old age homes. The
study also found that above fifty percent of
the inmates stated that the old age home as
the best place to live in old age.
Ramamurti (2001) has surveyed of
institutions for the elderly in different regions
of Andhra Pradesh. His finding showed that
most of the inmates came to old age home
due to lack of money or care within family.
The inmates had strained relationships with
their children. Under the circumstances many
felt that the old age home had given them
some support when they were neglected by
their family. A few had expressed that instead
of staying with their children or other
relatives who did not want them, it is better
to stay in an old age home, free of the teasing
home environment.
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

Citing upon the importance of old age homes,
Rani (2001) conducted the study of an
institution in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Her findings showed that most of the inmates
came to stay in the old age home because
there was nobody to take care of them or they
could not offer to sustain themselves
elsewhere. She examined that most of the
inmates have no problems at all in the
institution and there is a dire need for such
institutions which honestly takes care of the
aged poor, abandoned and the neglected.
Majority of the inmates liked to continue to
live in these institutions, till they die.
In a study of institutionalized elderly in
Punjab, Sandhu and Arora (2003) concluded
that inmates are fully satisfied of their stay in
the old age homes in Amritsar District. The
inmates are enjoying their institutional life.
They did not feel bad about
institutionalization, rather they expressed
their opinion that more old age homes are
needed and society should make
arrangements for institutionalization
elderly. This study also shows that the most
commonly stated reason by the inmates for
shifting to old age home was family conflict.
Das and Shah (2003) conducted a study on
institutionalized elderly in Gujarat. Their
studies indicated that one third elderly have
stated that they choose such an arrangement
due to familial conflict. The family
circumstances compelled the elderly to move
out to such impersonal arrangements, where
they are struggling to make a new meaning of
their lives, seek solace and comfort in age
mates, adjust to the discipline of institutional
living and to unfamiliar living arrangements.
The study also found that majority of the
inmates was satisfied with the services
provided to them and with the care taking of
the staff.
Mishra (2003) has conducted a study in an
old age home in Kanpur which seeks to
understand the experience of loneliness. In
her study, most of the inmates felt that they
found it uncomfortable to stay with their
children. They are quite satisfied with their
institutionalized life and even said that they
are happier here than with their families
members. The inmates do not feel loneliness
and depression due to being away from their
families because they are in constant touch
of
with their family members and the effort on
the part of the institutional staff and inmates
to engage themselves in various activities. It
helps them to get rid of loneliness.
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Bansod and Paswan (2006) conducted a
study in Amravati district of Maharashtra and
concluded that most of the elderly in the old
age home were from rural background,
illiterate, widowed and were economically
dependent. The findings showed that many of
the elderly left home due to neglect by their
children and relatives, while the majority of
them adopted old age home as there was no
one to look after them. Almost half of the
inmates felt that staying at old age home was
far more peaceful than staying with families.
In a recent study by Help Age India (2007) a
survey of 30 old age homes in Delhi and the
National capital region conducted and
revealed that family problems had prompted
70 percent of old age home inmates to seek
the refuge of such homes, 10 percent of the
inmates opted for these homes because their
children lived abroad, 10 percent did so
because they had only daughters and could
not live with them and another 10 percent had
never married and had no children to live
with (available at
http://www.indiatogether.org/
2008/march/soc-oldage.htm).
In a study of institutionalized elderly in
Jalandhar city, Isha (2009) studied that most
of the elderly were satisfied with the
institutional facilities and services being
provided to them in old age homes and also
do not want go back in their families.
Analyzing the above literature, the studies
indicate that most of the inmates came to stay
in the old age home because of familial
reasons such family conflict or lack of take
care. Studies also show that most of them
were satisfied with their institutional living
and also prefer to stay in these institutions.
However, there are limited studies available
on the quality of life of the institutionalized
elderly in Punjab. This prompted the
researcher to explore this idea further. In this
context, the present study aims at
understanding the perspective of the elderly
about their quality of life and existing
institutional facilities available for the care of
the elderly in the state of Punjab.
Results of the Study:-
In order to know their quality of life, it is
important to study social - economic
background of the elderly who are living in
these old age homes.
Socio-Economic Characteristics:-
(Refer Table 1 Here)
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Table 1 shows the demographic and socio-
economic characteristics of the respondents.
Majority (56.91 per cent) of them fall in the
‘young old category’ of 60-70 years. Most of
them (59.80 per cent) are males and hail from
rural areas (65.60 per cent). Majority of them
(62.38 per cent) are widowed, belong to
Hindu religion (52.10 per cent), a little more
than one-third (34.09) of them are illiterate
and were earlier employed in the petty jobs
(36.98 per cent).
Reasons for shifting to the Old Age Home
For the elderly first choice is always to stay
with their families. But sometimes,
circumstances force them to leave their
families and then they opt to live in an old age
home. The reasons for leaving families have
been categories as demographic, economic,
familial/social and psychological/personal.
Let us know their prominent reasons for
shifting to the old age homes.
(Refer Table 2 Here)
As regards the demographic reasons, the
table 2 shows that out of the total, 11.90 per
cent of the inmates are unmarried and 3.86
per cent of them are childless. Thus, absence
of family of procreation prompted them to
come to the institutional support.
Under the economic reasons of the shifting to
old age homes, 1.60 per cent of the inmates
are homeless and 1.29 per cent of them found
it difficult to pay rent for the houses. These
reasons were highlighted only the
respondents of government old age homes.
Whereas, 17.04 per cent of them complained
that they were not getting proper facilities
due to lack of financial resources and their
sons do not have sufficient income to run the
family. This was reported only by the inmates
of non -government. So lack of economic
resources led them to the institutional care.
As far as reasons pertaining to familial/social
are concerned, majority of the respondents
i.e. (27.41 per cent) had strained relations
with their sons/daughters-in-law, 2.26 per
cent of the respondents had conflict with their
spouses, 1.60 per cent of them said that their
children have settled abroad and another 3.86
per cent of them joined the old age home
because they did not want to stay with their
married daughters. These reasons were stated
only by the elderly of government run old age
homes, while, 36.14 per cent of the
respondents in non government old age
homes revealed that they had strained
relations with their sons/daughters-in-law.
With regard to psychological/personal
reasons, 3.21 per cent of them moved to old
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age home because they did not want to be
burden on their families. Another 16.08 per
cent felt loneliness due to their spouse death
and remaining, 2.90 per cent of them came to
the old age home for personal freedom and
spiritual satisfaction of life. These reasons
were given only by the non govt. old age
homes.
To sum up, the main reason that emerged was
the strained relations with sons/daughters-in-
law which forced majority of elderly to stay
in both types of old age home. These strained
relations have been expressed through abuse,
neglect and refusal to live with and care for
the aged. Some of the elderly refused to give
any response regarding familial relations and
did not want to talk about it, clearly
indicating the pain they felt. Besides this
reason, absence of family of procreation,
inadequate financial resources and loneliness
were also responsible for the shifting of
elderly to old age homes. Further, the
respondents were also asked to reveal about
the availability of the facilities and services
provided by the old age homes run by
government and non-government
organizations.
Institutional Services and Facilities
Provision
Old age homes there are expected to have
various facilities and services that are
necessary for daily living. These services and
facilities provide opportunities to enhance the
quality of life in these settings. The
availability of facilities and services
highlighted the variations between these both
types of old age homes. Let us see the
facilities enjoyed by the respondents:-
(Refer Table 3 Here)
Table 3 shows that more than half (i.e. 51.77
per cent) of the inmates reveal that basic
facilities and services (food, medical care,
furniture, accommodation or things for daily
requirements) were available within both
government as well as non -government old
age homes. Availability of medical care was
reported by 23.48 per cent of residents of the
government and non- government old age
homes, which was more prevalent in
government old age homes. One tenth (i.e.
9.32 per cent) of the elderly reported about
the provision of recreational and spiritual
facilities in the old age homes, however,
more facilities are being offered by non-
government old age homes. Remaining, a
little more than one-tenth (i.e. 15.43 per cent)
of them stated the availability of funeral
arrangements and special services (make
arrangement of private taxi, meditation
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expert, lift system and special food needs) for Table 4 illustrates that one-fourth (25.09 per
their personal needs in the old age homes are cent) of the respondents spend their leisure
available which was more in non - time by watching T.V, which was more
government as compared to government old pronounced in government old age homes.
age homes. While, one-fifth (i.e. 15.76 per cent) of the
elderly read newspapers, books and
Overall analysis shows that the availability of
magazines, which was more prevalent in non
the facilities and services was more prevalent
government old age homes. 5.14 per cent of
in the non -government old age homes as
them listen radio in their free time; there
compared to the government run old age
percentage was almost equal in both types of
homes. Further, it can also be said that all the
old age homes. Very small percentage i.e.
basic necessary facilities such as food,
1.92 per cent of the respondents use lap-top
medical care, furniture, accommodation or
and computers as their leisure time activity,
things for daily requirements were available
which was indicated only by the inmates of
for the institutional residents at both kinds of
non -government old age institutions. About
old age homes. After knowing the availability
6 per cent of them play games like cards,
of facilities and services are in the old age
carom and chess and do physical exercises,
homes, an attempt has also been made to
yoga, meditation and these kinds of activities
analyse the leisure time activities of the
were more prevalent in government old age
respondents in the old age institutions.
homes. Further, data also shows that 11.29
Leisure time activities are categorized as
per cent of respondents in government old
indoor activities and outdoor activities.
age homes and 4.01 per cent of them in non
Leisure Time Activities of the government old age homes are busy with
Institutionalized Elderly spouse care or personal care tasks, and a little
more than one-tenth (i.e. 13.82 per cent) of
Elderly have a lot of free time and do not
them performed various activities for the old
know what to do with it. They engage
age homes, these includes help in kitchen,
themselves in various types of activities and
gardening and maintaining old age homes
an effort has been made to study the leisure
accounts), there percentage was higher in
time activities in the old age homes.

(Refer Table 4 Here)

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government old age homes rather than non -
government organizations.
As far as outdoor activities are concerned, a
little less than one-fifth (i.e. 18.64 per cent),
out of which 21.29 per cent in non -
government old age homes and 8.07 per cent
in government old age homes, visit nearby
temple or engage in religious activities such
as serve in temple/ Satsang, kirtan, Prayer,
Worships outside the old age homes.
Another, a little less than one-tenth (i.e.8.37
per cent) of them reported that they go for
shopping or outing during their free time,
there percentage was more in government old
age homes.
On the whole, it can be said that when we
analyzing the responses of the
institutionalized elderly in both government
as well as non govt. old age homes, the results
show that most of the inmates residing in
government old age homes spend their
leisure by participating in activities such as
watching T.V, playing board games (chess,
carom and cards) + exercise, yoga,
meditation, busy with spouse’s care/personal
care tasks, useful activities for the institutes
and shopping or outing. While, in non govt.
old age homes the respondents enjoy their
free time in read newspapers, books,
magazines, listen radio, use lap-top and
computers and participation in religious
activities. Further, it can also be concluded
that most of the elderly engage themselves in
various types of indoor activities. They keep
themselves busy in some or the other activity
so that they can maintain their physical
mobility. Some of the elderly feel that there
should be provision of picnics, discussions,
arts and crafts, interaction with the kids and
more such activities which can enhance the
lives of the elderly emotionally, socially and
cognitively. After knowing the leisure time
activities performed by the inmates, further
let us see the level of satisfaction of the
institutionalized respondents with their
institutional facilities and services.
Satisfaction with the Institutional
Facilities and Services
When more elderly are opting to stay in old
age homes, it would be interesting to study
their adjustment patterns in the new
environment, levels of satisfaction and
dissatisfaction in old age homes. Here, an
attempt has been also made to know the
perceptions of the inmates regarding their
satisfaction with the facilities and services
provided in the old age homes.
(Refer Table 5 Here)
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As is evident from the table 5 that more than
half (i.e. 58.84 per cent) of the respondents
were satisfied with the services provided to
them, their percentage was found more in
non-government as compared to government
old age homes. Almost one-third of the
inmates are dissatisfied and partially
satisfied, their percentage is more in
government old age homes as compared to
non-government old age homes. While, one-
tenth (i.e. 9.97 per cent) of the elderly are
highly satisfied, there percentage is almost
equal in both types of old age homes.
Thus, it can be concluded that most of the
residents of the old age homes were satisfied
with the institutional services and facilities
provided to them and this was reflected in
their satisfaction levels. Further, it can also be
analyzed that the respondents staying in non-
government are more satisfied as compared
to those elderly who are staying in
government old age homes.
Suggestions for the Improvement of Old
Age Homes
The respondents were asked to express their
suggestions concerning improvement of the
working conditions of the both govt. as well
as non-government old age homes. Most of
the inmates in the present study are living free
of cost in the old age homes. When we asked
them how to improve the institutional
facilities, they kept silent as they felt that they
do not have right to speak anything regarding
it. Responses regarding this question are
given below.
(Refer Table 6 Here)
Table 6 demonstrates that more than two-
fifth (i.e. 45.66 per cent) of the respondents
felt that there is no need of any improvement
in the old age homes. Further, 17.74 per cent
of the elderly reported that more
staff/caregivers are needed for elder’s
personal care in government old age homes,
whereas, 10.84 per cent of them in non-
government old age homes. Another, 8.07
per cent of them want monthly charges and
extra charges for relatives stay should be
decreased in government old age homes. This
suggestion is also made by 3.61 per cent
inmates of the non-government old age
homes. A little more than one-third (i.e.
35.49 per cent) of the elderly made
suggestion regarding need for more facilities
in government institutes such as provision of
independent room facility, need better health
medical care, transportation facility should
be there during emergencies, religious places
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should be within premises, polite and well
behaved staff, while 22.49 per cent of the
inmates reveal so in the non-government old
age homes. Remaining, a little more than
one-tenth (i.e. 12.54 per cent) of the
institutional residents felt that they should
allow to going outside, there percentage is
almost equal in both types of old age homes.
To conclude, majority of the elderly did not
give any suggestions as they felt that there is
no need of any kind of improvement in these
institutes. It may be due to the fact that most
of the inmates are living free of cost and they
are not much demanding and vocal regarding
their preferences and requirements. Further,
it can also be said that the inmates of the
government oriented old age homes has
given more suggestions for the improvement
of old age homes as compared to non-
government old age homes.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Overall analysis shows that a majority of the
institutionalized elderly in Punjab is in the
60-70 years old are males and hail from rural
areas. Majority of them are widowed, belong
to Hindu religion are illiterate and had petty
jobs. It can also be concluded that the major
reason for shifting the old age homes is
conflicting relations with their family
members in both kinds of old age homes.
Further, regarding the availability of the
facilities and services was more prevalent in
the non-government old age homes as
compared to the government oriented old age
homes. Most of the inmates residing in
government old age homes are more engage
themselves in various their indoor activities.
Further, it can also be analyzed concluded
that the residents of the non -government old
age homes are more satisfied with the
institutional services and facilities and this
was reflected in their satisfaction levels. It
can also be said that the inmates of the
government oriented old age homes gave
more suggestions for the improvement of old
age homes as compared to non- government.
old age homes. The results therefore suggest
that the considering the demographic change,
the changing family context and the growth
of old age homes; the state and non state
agencies should make several attempts to
assist the elderly wherever possible.
Government should focus on the proper
implementation of the policies formulated for
elders. Government should also establish
more old age homes; at least one old age
home for each district should be there for the
elderly with a good institutional living
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arrangement, as the demand for such care is

likely to rise in the future.
References
Bansod, D and Paswan, B. (2006). From
Home to Old Age Home: A Situational
Appraisal of Elderly in Old Age Home in
Maharashtra. Help Age India Research and
Development Journal, 12, (3), 14-22.
Central Statistics Office. (2011). Situation
Analysis of the Elderly in India, Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation,
Government of India.
Dandekar, K. (1996). The Elderly in India.
New Delhi, Sage Publications.
Das, N.P and Shah, U. (2003). A Study of Old
Age Homes in the Care of the Elderly in
Gujarat. Population Research Centre,
Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science,
M.S. University of Baroda, prcs-
ohfw.nic.in/writereaddata/research/416.htm.
Goel, S and Gupta, M. (2008). Quality of Life
of Elderly in Old Age Homes in India. Help
Age India Research and Development
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Irudaya, Rajan. et al. (1999). India’s Elderly
Burden or Challenges. New Delhi, Sage
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Jyotsana, M. K and D, Jamuna. (2008).
Interpersonal relationships of elderly in
selected old age homes in urban India.
Interpersonal Relations 2, (2), 193-215.
Isha. (2009). Institutionalized elderly in
Punjab- A Sociological Study of Old Age
Homes in Jalandhar City (An Unpublished
M.Phil’s Thesis). Guru Nanak Dev
University, Amritsar.
Mishra, J.A . (2003). A Study of Loneliness
in An Old Age Home in India: A Case of
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(1 and 2), 136-146.
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Aged in Modi, I (ed.), Ageing and Human
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321). New Delhi, Rawat Publications.
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Elderly and Quality of Life in Modi, I (ed.),
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 ELK ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

www.indiatogether.org/ 2008/march/soc-
oldage.htm.

List of Tables:

Table No. 1: Brief Profile of the Institutionalized Elderly

Age (yrs.) No. of Respondents Percentage

60-70 177 56.91

70-80 87 27.98
80-90 38 12.21
90 + 9 2.90
Total 311 100.00
Sex
Male 186 59.80
Female 125 40.20
Total 311 100.00
Area

Rural 204 65.60

Urban 107 34.40
Total 311 100.00
Religion

Sikh 144 46.30

Hindu 162 52.10
Others 05 1.60
Total 311 100.00
Marital Status
Never married/single 39 12.54
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Married 71 22.82
Widowed 194 62.38
Divorced/separated 07 2.26
Total 311 100.00
Education

Illiterate 106 34.09

Up to middle 95 30.54
Up to10+2 65 20.90
Graduate or above 45 14.47
Total 311 100.00
Occupation

Agriculturist 19 6.10
Govt. job 68 21.87
Pvt. Job 32 10.29
Petty jobs 115 36.98
N/A 77 24.76
Total 311 100.00
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

Table No. 2: Main Reasons for Shifting the Old Age Home

Major Reasons Government Non-Government Total

Demographic -- 37 37
Un-married (14.86) (11.90)
Childless 12 -- 12
(19.36) (3.86)
Economic 5 -- 5
Destitute /Homeless (8.06) (1.60)
Were living in rented houses 4 -- 4
(6.45) (1.29)
Lack of financial resources -- 53 53
(21.29) (17.04)
Familial/Social 17 90 107
Strained relations with sons/daughters- (27.41) (36.14) (34.40)
in-law
Conflict with spouse 7 -- 7
(11.30) (2.26)
Children settled abroad /socially not 5 -- 5
secure (8.06) (1.60)
Improper to stay with married 12 -- 12
daughters/no male issue (19.36) (3.86)
Psychological/personal -- 10 10
Do not want to be burden on family (4.01) (3.21)
Due to spouse death feeling loneliness -- 50 50
(20.09) (16.08)
Want to live separated/personal -- 9 9
freedom/ Spiritual satisfaction (3.61) (2.90)
Total 62 249 311
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

Table No. 3: Distribution of the Respondents According to their views about institutional
Facilities

Availability of Facilities Government Non-Government Total

Basic facilities 51.61 51.80 51.77
(32) (129) (161)
Medical care 29.03 22.09 23.48
(18) (55) (73)
Recreational and Spiritual facility 6.46 10.04 9.32
(4) (25) (29)
Funeral arrangements and Special 12.90 16.07 15.43
services for personal needs (8) (40) (48)

Total 62 249 311

(100.00) (100.00) (100.00)

Table No. 4: Distribution of the Respondents According to their Leisure Time Activities

Leisure Time Activities Government Non-Government Total

Indoor Activities
Watching T.V 32.26 23.30 25.09
(20) (58) (78)
Reading Newspapers, Books, Magazines 8.07 17.68 15.76
(5) (44) (49)
Listening Radio 4.83 5.22 5.14
(3) (13) (16)
Using lap-top and Computers -- 2.40 1.92
(6) (6)
 ELK ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

Playing Board Games (Chess, Carom and 6.46 5.62 5.79

Cards) + Exercise, Yoga, Meditation (4) (14) (18)
Busy with spouse’s care/personal care tasks (11.29) (4.01) (5.47)
7 10 17
Useful activities for the institutes 16.12 13.26 13.82
(10) (33) (43)
Outdoor Activities
Religious activities 8.07 21.29 18.64
(5) (53) (58)
Shopping or outing 12.90 7.22 8.37
(8) (18) (26)
Total 62 249 311
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00)

Table No. 5: Distribution of the inmates according to their satisfaction with the
institutional facilities

Satisfaction Level Government Non-Government Total

Dissatisfied 12 29 41
(19.36) (11.64) (13.19)
Partially satisfied 16 40 56
(25.80) (16.07) (18.00)
Satisfied 27 156 183
(43.54) (62.66) (58.84)
Highly satisfied 7 24 31
(11.30) (9.63) (9.97)
Total 62 249 311
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
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ISSN 2394-9392 (Online); DOI: 10.16962/EAPJSS/issn.2394-9392/2014; Volume 2 Issue 2 (2016)

Table No. 6: Suggestions made by the respondents staying in Government and Non-
government Old Age Homes

Suggestions Government Non-Government Total

No need of any improvements 27.41 50.20 45.66
(17) (125) (142)
Need more staff/caregivers for elder’s 17.74 10.84 12.21
personal care (11) (27) (38)
Monthly charges should be decreased 8.07 3.61 4.50
(5) (9) (14)
Need more facilities 35.49 22.49 25.09
(22) (56) (78)
Allowed to go outside 11.29 12.86 12.54
(7) (32) (39)
Total 62 249 311
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00)