Volume : 6, Issue : 1, January - 2017

Lifestyle practices among senior citizens (age 60plus) living in a rural area of Kerala: A descriptive study

Lekshmy J S, Preetha Carolin

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted using quantitative approach to assess the life style practices of senior citizens living in rural areas. The study was conducted at Nellanad Panchayath in Trivandrum district. 350 senior citizens were recruited for the study using purposive sampling technique. Institutional ethical committee clearance and setting permission from Panchayath authorities has been obtained prior to data collection. Informed consent from each subject has been obtained after ensuring confidentiality of the data been collected. Socio-personal Performa,ModifiedPhysical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE), Modified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Indexand a Rating scale on dietary habits were used to collect data. Results revealed that 81.7% had average physical activity, 63.1% engaged in reading, 93.7% watch TV, (96.6%) engaged in habit of chatting.66.6% of subjects take a walk for fun, 69.1% walk outside to buy house hold things, 26.3% attend group meeting, (77.7%) had no difficulty sleep and (92.3%) had good dietary habits.</p>