Living Arrangements of Rural Elderly Women in Haryana, India

Abstract

In this study we have investigating the living arrangements, decision making pattern, and position of elderly women in Haryana state. In spite of it we are also analyzing the dependence and dependents of elderly women after getting old age pension which is known as Old Age Samman Allowance (OASA) in Haryana and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) at national level. The study was done in Haryana state of India and data was collected from 200 elderly women of age 62 years or above from four different village (50 women from each village) of Haryana. In results majority of elderly women were living with their family members and only 2 percent elderly women were living alone and dominance of male members either the spouse or son as head of the family was observed. Closest family member were their children either son or daughter. Though the elderly women were not head of the family, but majority of them had involvement in decision making related to household matters. Economic dependency of more than 35. 0 percent of the selected elderly women in spite of getting financial assistance of Rs. 2250 per month as OASA assistance raises the question of utilization of this assistance by the actual beneficiaries. Around half of the financially independent elderly women were supporting at least one person in their family. The elderly women either supported their son or grandson but not the spouse. In total old age samman allowance is very beneficial and much needed to the elderly as they become self-dependent and could live their life with full of dignity and according to their wishes.