GENDER INEQUALITIES IN HEALTH AND POVERTY AMONG1

THE ELDERLY PERSONS

Prashant Vishnu Sonwane2
INTRODUCTION
Ageing of population is an end product of demographic transition. The number of
elderly people in developing counties is almost 3-4 times of that of developed countries.
In Indian tradition, we find many religious texts and ideal norms of society have assigned
a place of honor, respect and power to the elderly. There is also a strong value attached to
the care of elderly by the children and grandchildren and a social pressure is exercised if
one fails to discharge their responsibility.
In Indian context, the population of the oldest old is increasing day by day.
Table 1: Number and Proportion of Elderly in the Indian
Population by Age Groups, 1961-2001
Number (in Millions)
1961 1971 1981 1991 2001
60+ 25 33 43 57 77
70+ 9 11 15 21 29
80+ 2 3 4 6 8
90+ 0.5 0.7 0.7 1 N.A.
100+ 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 N.A.
Source: Rajan Irudaya, (2006) Population Aging and Health in India
On the basis of this table we can easily draw some conclusions i.e.
• Number of aged population is increasing.
• This trend we find upto above 80.
• Figures 90+ and 100+ are not available in census 2001 but population of
80+ steadily increasing. Hence, we can say number of 90+ populations may
continue same trend.
• Non availability of reliable data may create obstacle in social research.
Several social scientists also mentioned special features of this section in their
research. Such as,
The special features of the elderly population in India are:
• Majority (80%) live in the rural areas, thus making service delivery a challenge.
• Feminization: 51% of the elderly population would be women by the year
2016.
• Increase in the number of the oldest-old (persons above 80 years)
1
Paper presented in Indian Association for Social Sciences and Health Theme was ‘Health
Poverty and Human Development’, March 5-7, 2010 at Varanasi, India.
2
Research Fellow, Dept. of Sociology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra. 431004

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 • Large proportion (30%) of the elderly live below poverty line. (Gangadharan
K. R., 2007)
Life expectance that was 40 in 1950, reached 65 years in 2001 in India, resulted in
more than 76 million elderly person’s population (60+) constituting above seven percent
of Indian Population, and it is eight percent in Maharashtra. The poverty, isolation,
negligence and deterioration of physical and mental health are the main concerned of
elderly in Maharashtra. There is no statistics to indicate the extent and depth of poverty
among the elderly in India, but the few studies that are available indicate that potentially,
the elderly may be one of the most vulnerable groups in the economy. Economic
vulnerability is compounded by physical and to some extent mental vulnerability. The
most recent one (Gupta et al.; 2001) used the Human Development Indicator Survey of
1994-95 to analyze the health-seeking behaviour of the elderly, and concluded that
income and education played key roles in determining who sought care. However, there is
no other recent study that looks at key determinants of health status of the elderly.
(Indrani Gupta, Deepa Sankar; 2003)
Elderly suffers from multiple kinds of diseases. Naturally, it affects the quality of
life of the elderly. This trend we find all over world. The concept of quality of life must
understand in its proper sense, that is -
‘Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of living,
which is based primarily on income. Instead, standard indicators of the quality of life
include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and
mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging.’ (Gregory,
Derek, 2009)
‘Quality of life (QOL) is used in healthcare to refer to an individual's emotional,
social and physical wellbeing, including their ability to function in the ordinary tasks of
living. It is a term used most frequently in the context of medicine and healthcare, where
the impact of a disease may reduce "Health-related Quality of Life"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_life_(healthcare))
The present paper is based on empirical information collected from 50 elderly by
taking narrative interview in Aurangabad City, focuses on the socio-economic conditions
and their effects on health status and quality of life. Quality of life can be measured by
considering respondents education, income and social support, religion, social contacts.
OBJECTIVES
1. To study the economic status of the elderly persons.
2. To understand the natures of health services provided to the elderly persons.

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 3. To assess the quality of life of the elderly.
4. To compare the quality of life among the elderly men and elderly women.
METHODOLOGY
It is a comparative study. The sample is drawn by randomly from the Elderly Men
and Elderly Female (sample size is 50, among them 25 Elderly Males and 25 Elderly
Females). While drawing the sample particularly from family unit, a source list of Senior
Citizen Club and FESCOM (Aurangabad Branch) is used for the present study. The main
tool for data collection is narrative interview. It is supported by observation. After
collecting data comparison could be possible.

DATA ANALASIS
All respondents are living in the family and they are depended upon their family
for their livelihood. These respondents are coming from middle class mainly. If we
considered their religion we find majority of them are belonging Hindu religion.
AGE: Among Elderly males we find 15 are coming under ‘Young Old’ category (60-
69). Out of remaining 8 are in ‘Old’ category (70-79) and 2 are in ‘Oldest Old’ category
(80+). Among Elderly Females 20 are coming under ‘Young Old’ category. 5 are in ‘Old’
category. No females we find under ‘Oldest Old’ category though, high life expectancy
we find in female.
EDUCATION: Percentage of higher education is very low in Elderly person. This trend
continues in this study also. Among 25 elderly males, 1 respondent is illiterate. 4 have
completed their primary education, 11 respondents completed their education upto middle
school. 5 respondents have reached upto high school education. 2 respondents have
completed their degree and 2 respondents have completed post degree education.
Percentage of illiterate women is high (36%), 10 female completed their primary
education. 5 have reached upto high school level and only one completed her education
upto degree level. Elderly women are far behind in every educational level then elderly
men but they are far ahead in maintaining illiteracy.
ANNUAL INCOME: Among the elderly males 1 respondent don’t have any income. 2
respondents are earning 5 thousands per year. 4 respondents are earning 5 to 10 thousands
rupees. 3 respondents are earning 10 to 25 thousands rupees. 2 respondents are earning 25
to 50 thousands rupees. And remaining 13 respondents are earning above 50 thousands
rupee annually. Among the elderly females 7 respondents don’t have any source of
income. 1 respondent is earning 5 to 10 thousands rupees, 2 respondents each are earning

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10 to 25 thousands rupees and 25 to 50 thousands rupees annually. And remaining 13
respondents are earning 50 thousands rupees per year. A large number of elderly women
don’t have any income compare to men. But at highest level they are standing equal level.
Mostly the respondents spent their income on fulfilling their daily household
needs and medicines. They visit clinic/doctor when they are ill. Here, family members
assist them to visit the hospital for treatment. In this regard, the family members are
taking care of elderly person and they are happy for getting help from the family
members. In spite of this their regular health checkup or extensive health care is not taken
by the family members.
SOCIAL CONTACTS: All respondents are belongs to member of FESCOM or Senior
Citizen Club and they have good relationship with each other. Occasionally they
participate in cultural and religious activity.

FINDINGS
• Majority of the elderly persons are dependent on their family for their livelihood.
• The natures of health services provided to the elderly persons are poor.
• Elderly persons suffer from many diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure,
asthma, heart disease but proper care is not taken by the caretakers.
• Elderly persons are physically weak, psychologically insecure and socially
isolated.

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