Abstract

PREVALENCE OF SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS AMONG ELDERLY IN RURAL AREAS

Dr. S. Gunasekaran

Volume: 6 Issue: 2 2016

Abstract:

The present study carried out on a sample of 900 elderly persons aged 60 years and above selected from the rural areas of three different districts of TamilNadu assessed the prevalence of sensory impairments (vision and hearing) among elderly and examined their demographic and socio-economic correlates. The results indicate that vision problem is the major issue affecting more than two thirds of elderly. The problem is significantly more severe among elderly aged 80 years and above affecting nearly 80 per cent of them. Hearing impairment was reported by more than two fifths of elderly (42.2 per cent). Increase in age significantly increase the prevalence of sensory impairment among elderly in rural areas. It is also observed that significantly higher proportion of illiterates is affected by sensory impairments than the literates. The results suggest the need for intervention to care and support the poor elderly by providing spectacle and hearing aids to prevent them from the risk of falling and accidents and also to make them free movement outside their household.

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