Financial issues, living conditions and housing issues of an elderly population: a cross-sectional study
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Date
2019-09-12
Authors
Kaduruwewa, R. M. G. D.
Jayasinghe, C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Sri Lanka is a country with a rapidly aging population. In addition to health issues, this population faces a multitude of social and financial problems. Objectives of the study were to assess financial status, current living conditions and issues related to housing of a semi urban elderly population. This is a cross sectional descriptive study. Study population was selected by a convenience sampling from the patients who attended to the elderly care unit at Teaching hospital Peradeniya over one year. Information was collected by an interviewer administered questionnaire. Hundred and forty eight people were included in the study. All were over 65 years of age. The vast majority (98.6 %) of the sample was receiving some income in which 71.8% get an adequate income through a job or pension, property or through family. Only 27.3% of the sample gets inadequate income and 0.9% of the study population doesn’t have any income method. Ten point eight percent of our population’s monthly income is only supported by the social services. Minority (1.4%) of the study population neither gets an income nor is supported by the social services. With regard to current living situations majority of the sample (85.8%) live with the spouse, children, in laws and relatives while 6.1% live alone. Out of the 6.1% who live alone majority are female (5.4%) An inverse relationship between the number of children and contentment regarding the care they receive is observed. 81.8% of the sample has favorable housing conditions. According to the study, results 95.9% revealed that their basic amenities needed for activities of daily living are fulfilled. Results of the analysis show that a majority of the elderly have reasonably acceptable financial status, living conditions and housing conditions.
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Keywords
Elderly , Financial , Social , Income , Housing