Volume : 2, Issue : 9, September - 2013

A Study on the Status of the Rural Elderly in their Families in Andhra Pradesh

D. Kodanda Rami Reddy

Abstract :

Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include, old people (worldwide usage), seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage), older adults (in the social sciences), the elderly, and elders (in many cultures including the cultures of aboriginal people).India is the second high population country in the world and the elderly population increasing rapidly with various reasons. Today India is home to one out of every ten senior citizens of the world. Both the absolute and relative size of the population of the elderly in India will gain in strength in future. Among the total elderly population, those who live in rural areas constitute 78 percent.Many past studies reviled that as the rural elderly and specifically elderly living in joint family system are enjoying very good status. But recent issues highlighted that the rural elderly also facing many problems and negligence as well as violence. The status of elderly dependents up on various factors related to the family members, living environment, relationship with family members and surrounding people etc., Present study is an attempt to understand the rural elderly status in their families in Andhra Pradesh.