Caring of Old: Carer's Perspective

Abstract

The burden of aging society and concern towards the shift in young-old population balance is felt throughout the world. The increasing proportions of older persons have been accompanied, in most populations, by steady declines in the proportion of young persons (UN, 2013). Population of over 60 years olds will reach to one billion within the decade estimates report prepared by UNFPA and Help Age International, 2012. In India too, the pressure is mounting with the increased number of 'Older' people (60+ years) by 54.77 percent in the last 15 years. Older People are now living longer with increasing life expectancy and availability of better health facilities but are also requiring more assistance or care to manage their day to day activities. There are many challenges in providing better quality of life to older people especially those requiring high support needs. Older people as a group are also divers and each of them have a distinct need. Carers of older person play a key role in meeting these challenges. Caregivers represent an important source of care for older person and are present in some form in all societies. A caregiver is someone who assumes responsibility for the care of an older person who has some health problems. In Indian context, this role is usually played by family member /members mainly female spouse, daughter in law, son or daughter. The role of caregiver can become increasingly burdensome if the person needs constant care. However, as older persons have many assets, strengths and resources, they can be used, involved in the process of providing care. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the issues/problems faced by caregivers, level of stress experienced by them in their family relationship and adjustment, burden in different areas of family functioning, social and emotional reactions of caregivers to the responsibility of care giving. The paper is based on the findings of an empirical qualitative in-depth study conducted in the state of Gujarat, India during the year 2012-13. The study concludes that care giving role is a serious and ongoing process. Caregivers often face hardships of various kinds. Daily activities of the care giving coupled with lack of social and familial support causes burden of care, stress and frustration and greatly affect care givers contributing to negative adaptation to the situation thus affecting the their total quality of life. In spite of this carers found lot of satisfaction in the role of carer and carried it out as a sense of their duty to give back.