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.

Back Download

References

• Alam. M., K. S. James, and G. Giridhar, (2011) “Building a knowledge base on population aging in India,” Report on the Status of Elderly in Select States of India, United Nations Population Fund, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, 2011.
• Angra, S.K., Murthy, G.V.S., Gupta, S.K. & Angra V, (1997), “Cataract Related Blindness In India and Its Social Implications”. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 106, 312-324
• Brennan, M., A. Horowitz, and Y. P. Su, (2005), “Dual sensory loss and its impact on everyday competence,” Gerontologist, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 337–346, 2005.
• Census of India 2011, (2013), http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/age_structure_ and_ marital_status.aspx.
• Chia, E.M., P. Mitchell, E. Rochtchina, S. Foran, M. Golding, and J. J. Wang, (2006), “Association between vision and hearing impairments and their combined effects on quality of life,” Archives of Ophthalmology, vol. 124, no. 10, pp. 1465–1470, 2006.
• Deepthy Ramamurthy, Arvind Kasthuri, and Rekha Sonavane, (2014). “Dual Sensory Impairment Among Community Dwelling Rural Elderly: Concern for Rehabilitation”, Journal of Geriatrics. Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 254518, 7 pages
• Kacker, S.K, (1997), “Hearing Impairment In The Aged”. Indian Journal of Medical Research 106, pp 333-339.
• Lam. B. L., D. J. Lee, O. Gomez-Marin, D. D. Zheng, and A. J. Caban, (2006), “Concurrent Visual and Hearing Impairment and Risk of Mortality: the National Health Interview Survey,” Archives of Ophthalmology, vol. 124, no. 1, pp. 95–101, 2006.
• Lupsakko. T, M. Mantyjarvi, H. Kautiainen, and R. Sulkava, (2002), “Combined hearing and visual impairment and depression in a population aged 75 years and older,” International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, vol. 17, no.9, pp. 808–813, 2002.
• Sarvakshana, (1991), “National Sample Survey Organisation”. Socio-economic profile of aged persons: 15 : Nos 1-2, Issue No.19
• Shah B, Prabhakar A.K, (1997), “Chronic morbidity profile among elderly”. Indian J Med Res 1997; 106 : 265-72.
• Venkatorao T, Ezhil R, Jabbar S, Ramakrishnan R, (2005). Prevalence of Disability and Handicaps in Geriatric Population in Rural South India”, Indian J Public Health 2005; 49: 11-7.
• Venkoba Rao, A, (1990), “Health Care of the Rural Aged. New Delhi”, Indian Council of Medical Research; 1990.