The Economic Status of the Aged: A Study in Anthropological Gerontology

Abstract

The present paper is devoted to the study of occupational status, economic conditions and financial support related to the quality of the life of the aged in the city of Lucknow, state capital of Uttar Pradesh. It also presents the problems faced by them in this regard. The sample consisted of 150 aged persons, which included 50 institutionalised and 100 non-institutionalised aged persons, who had been selected through random sampling; of these 75 were males and 75 were females. The aged, their family members and old-age-home staff, all had been interviewed intensively. Along with it, observation and case study method had been used extensively. This study looks deeply into the various aspects related to economic status of the aged. It also includes their evaluation of the prevailing conditions. After making a detailed investigation, certain conclusions had been drawn which shows that only 21% are engaged in some sort of occupation, while the majority of the aged persons are not working after their retirement. Only 31.33% aged have got enough savings and income to support them; whereas 68.67% do not have enough money to meet the expenses of their life and fulfill their social obligations. The overall picture reveals that economic status of the aged living with their family is more sound and secure, especially of those, who are running the household or contributing a good amount.