Abstract
India is witnessing rapid growth of elderly population. The population aged 60 years or older
 is projected to climb from 9% in 2015 to 19% in 2050 and to 32% in 2100 (UN, 2017). Aging
 population requires attention on their physical, social and emotional well-being. Wellbeing
 encompasses multiple interactive components which are beyond the conventional issues of
 health and diseases. There is multitude of social relationships and dynamics of social roles
 that women in this age negotiate in their lives. Family dynamics, compatibility with partner,
 household headship, decision making and level of autonomy, incidences of domestic violence,
 security concerns, care-giving, perceptions of self, societal status do influence quality of life
 and wellbeing.
 Using primary survey data of 165 women aged 60 to 65 years residing in urban areas in
 Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) interviewed during first quarter of 2018, the paper
 attempts to understand what does well-being mean to them, how do they ensure it, what are the
 psycho-social barriers and how do they overcome them. Purposive sampling and snowballing
 techniques has been employed to identify these women.
 Increase in health related problems especially mobility issues, lifestyle diseases along with
 depression were predominant in this age. For women in post 60 years of age, respect and
 appreciation from family and society is vital to ensure their happiness, while family bonding
 and overall contentment stands out for ensuring wellbeing. Religious pursuits and social
 interaction are the fundamental coping mechanisms from stress. Inadequate and incomplete
 education and early marriage rooted in patriarchy and financial dependence are the principal
 sources of regret in lives of these women. Widowed women were identified as the most
 vulnerable. Women in the lowest income group and literacy level were further marginalized
 and needed help from state. Evident gaps were reported in the existing welfare government
 schemes for this age.
Highlights
The paper attempts to comprehend about what constitutes the psycho-social wellbeing of the aged women of age 60 years and above? How does the diversity in social, economic and cultural background impacts the wellbeing of this age group living in metropolitan city? In what ways does health and physical fitness affects the aging women’s wellbeing? Does transcending age influence psychological health amongst women? What are the barriers to the psycho-social wellbeing of women and effects of coping mechanisms adopted by them to ensure this? Do aging women find space in policy and planning of the state?
A semi-structured interview schedule with both closed and open ended questions pertaining to general information of the respondents, questions pertaining to general feelings of elderly women to happiness, loneliness, depression, security, insecurity, dynamics of family relationship, self perception and societal perception towards the women different factors leading to stress and coping mechanism was sought
There is, little evidence to suggest that older people today are experiencing their later years in better health than their parents
Summary
“Aging itself is not inevitably associated with a decline in mood and quality of life. Aging of population is a global phenomenon and India is no different. The wellbeing of older persons is mandated in the Constitution of India under Article 41(Note 2). It is important to visualise the difference in what constitutes wellbeing for women in this group who have transcended into aging relative to the younger age cohorts in the middle age (45 to 59 years). Psychology has much to contribute to public awareness of healthy ageing and the diversity of human experience in ageing patterns, family support structures and meaningful community involvements in later life. Aging population need to given focused attention on their physical, social and emotional well-being. The ageing women experience a range of changes, physical as well as psychological and this period is known as the period of serious crises
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