The aged – A social development perspective: Implications for Social Work practice

Abstract

Researchers and demographers have indicated that the aged population throughout the world is going to increase significantly. The aged persons are often labeled as economically “unproductive” and “socially dependent” on their families and the community. The capacities and the contribution of elderly are not recognised due to labeling. To comment on the situation of the elderly, we report on micro data collected from all the 40 aged persons in GoIIapalem village, West Godavari district, A.P. The majority of the respondents face adjustment problems, deterioration of health and psychological problems of “alienation” and “psychic isolation”. The Social Policy programmes for the aged should include financial support, educational programmes, legal action and rural development schemes. There is need for Social Work intervention to help the aged in their families, in the institutions for the aged and in the hospital settings.

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