Health care of elderly tribes: A study on the lodha women of Jhargram district, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Elderly tribal women experience physical illness, economic insecurity, social isolation and mental instability. Although they are aware of these, they have hardly any resources to get out of their trap. Most often than not, they do not want to be a burden to their children. In some tribal families, the children also prefer to live separately after marriage. As a result, elderly tribal women become increasingly helpless. The present study has attempted to analyze the socioeconomic background and related problems of the elderly Lodha women. Forty-four elderly Lodha women (age-60 years and above) were selected from four villages under Jhargram and Nayagram block of Jhargram District for this. The data were collected through structured and unstructured interview. It is observed that most of the Lodha respondents suffer from various health problems such as malnutrition, loss of vision, loss of hearing, arthritis, etc. Their living conditions were unhygienic and unhealthy, and they drink unsafe drinking water from the village wells. It is also found that other members of their family are also indifferent to them. The elderly Lodha women expect a little care from their family members and also some support from the government.