Living Arrangement and Economic Dependency among the Elderly in India: a Comparative Analysis of EAG and Non EAG States Abstract An increase proportion of elderly means additional national responsibility to meet the emerging challenges to ensure well-being. Family, kinship, and community which were the strong sources of social support and care for the elderly in India has become weaker in recent times. Eight of India’s states are considered to be relatively socioeconomically backward, and are referred to as the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states, while rest of the states are demographically more advanced and many have achieved replacement level of fertility. The purpose of this paper is to compare the pattern of living arrangements and economic dependency among elderly in EAG and non-EAG states of India. Data from the National Sample Survey 71st round was used for analysis (N = 27,245). Results suggest that majority of the elderly co-resided both in EAG and non-EAG states. The major difference in living alone between EAG and non- EAG states is found according to religion, consumer expenditure quintile, and perceived health. Overall, 72% elderly are economically dependent on others. The differences between EAG and non-EAG states in economic dependency are considerable according to marital status, education, religion, and consumer expenditure quintile. Multivariate analysis revealed that the chances of living alone and economic dependency are higher in non-EAG states than EAG states. Number of surviving children, education, and consumer expenditure quintile are the significant predictors of living alone, while age, gender, and education significantly influence economic dependency. The findings call for making appropriate changes in policies and programmes to ensure social security and health of the elderly.

Ageing, Social Isolation, Loneliness, Health, Social Care and Longevity: Insights from Case Studies in Thailand and India Abstract This study aimed to examine the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, health, social care and longevity of the ageing elderly in order to find out the factors, impact and the different kinds of approaches, care or interventions to reduce the negative impact of ageing. The data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 participants from Thailand and 12 from India, based on convenience and purposive sampling method, consisting equally of 6 males and 6 females from each regions. Focus group interviews were also conducted with four administrators of ageing home in India and Thailand in 2018. The study found a number of factors inter related and interchangeable impacting an ageing elder that can significantly increase of being lonely or isolated. The findings provides insights of the solution or interventions to reduce social isolation, loneliness, to ensure a quality life, improving and promoting social care, social integration and enhancing ageing elders’ social relationship, health and developing social engagements in society through policy or program for interventions at the individual, social, political and policy making.

Self-Assessed Health Status among Ethnic Elderly of Tea Garden Workers in Bangladesh Abstract The proportion of elderly has been increased gradually over the past years and this has created many causes for concerns particularly in individual’s health status. Relatively little is known about health status of older ethnic group across the world. The study aims to explore the health status of ethnic elderly among Tea Garden workers in Bangladesh. A total of 229 elderly were interviewed from different tea gardens. Prevalence ratio and adjusted prevalence ratio were calculated using simple and multiple Poisson regression analysis. The study revealed that more than 90% of the elderly had suffered from multi-morbidity. Gender, age, family behavior, number of meals in a day, taking milk or milk products and taking sugar were highly associated factor to lead healthy life for elderly. Female and unemployed elderly were in more risk to suffer from multi-morbidity, illiterate were also a risk factor for multi-morbidity but effected by confounding factors. An elderly who rated himself as unhealthy was 1.75 times more risk in compare to healthy elderly. In addition, the ethnic elderly who were suffering from difficulties of seeing, getting up, standing, remembering and others disability were in more risk of suffering from multi-morbidity.

The Evolution of Government’s Attention Towards Older Person: a Critical Review of Malaysia 5 Years Plan Abstract This paper analyses the evolution of government’s attention towards older person in Malaysia by reviewing Malaysia five years plan. Malaysia began to emphasise older person issues in 1995, following the introduction of the National Policy of Older Person. In 1997, the idea of healthy ageing was brought into attention through the first introduction of National Health Policy for Older Person. Subsequently in 20 eras, Malaysia started to grasp the idea of active ageing and productive ageing and this could be seen through the emphasised implementation of National Health Policy for Older Person, life-long learning programs as well as the improved retirement age of 60 years to promote productive ageing. In the Tenth Malaysia Plan, the government highlighted issues namely improvement of facilities, provision of accessible health care, and utilization of ICT on public services for older person. The ongoing plan emphasises the preparation of older person after retirement. This paper concludes that the attention for older person in Malaysia is still far behind compared to other developed countries. This is among the gaps that Malaysia needs to take a heed in order to be ready to take on ageing country status by 2030.

Prevalence and the Determinants of Physical Activity in an Elderly Cohort of 60 years and more. A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study Abstract In the elderly, decline in physical activity (PA) is associated with decreased quality of life. To determine the prevalence and the associated factors of low PA in the elderly. All participants of the Amirkola town aged ≥60 years were studied. Data were collected for demographics, clinical and biochemical parametes. PA was determined by using physical activity scale for the elderly (PASE) questionnaire. In statistical analysis the study population was classified as normal or low PA defined as PASE score < 100. The two groups were compared according to demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics using chi square test with calculation of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). A total of 1297 individuals with respective mean age of 70.15 ± 7.1 and 67.6 ± 6.8 years for low and normal group (p = 0.001) were studied. Low PA was observed in 612 patients (47.1%). Prevalence of low PA was negatively associated with, higher level of education (OR = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.51–0.80, p = 0.001), higher arm muscle strength (OR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.62–0.96, p = 0.02), but positively associated with male sex (OR =1.56, 95% CI, 1.25–1.94), hypertension (OR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.1–1.73), disequilibrium (OR = 2.2, 95% CI, 1.74–2.9) and age. Compared with age group at 60–64 years, prevalence of low PA increased by OR = 1.74 (95% CI, 1.25–2.34) in age group 70–74 years, by OR = 2.51 (95% CI, 1.52–4.15) at age group 80–84 years, and OR = 7.74 (95% CI, 3.17–18.89) in those aged ≥85 years old. The findings of this study indicate that age, male sex, hypertension and disequilibrium are positively associated with low PA whereas female sex, muscle strength and education level are protective against low PA.

Dominant Chinese National Policies on Aging and Their Degree of Attention to Eldercare by Seniors Abstract This article examines dominant Chinese national policies on aging to assess the extent to which they attend to caregiving for the elderly by seniors. While seniors’ contributions to eldercare do receive scattered mention in such policies, the focus is on elders’ need for and traditional right to support and care, together with the obligation of younger adult sons and daughters to resist social decline in filial values. Where mentioned, it is the sporadic extraordinary offerings of skilled professionals that are highlighted, rather than the informal everyday efforts of ordinary senior men and women. International sources focused on productive aging recommend that aging societies forge a better policy balance between meeting seniors’ needs and tapping their continuing potential. This balance may be especially important for China, as a developing nation that has “gotten old before getting rich.”

Exploring the Mediating Role of Oral Health between Personality Traits and the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics among Healthy Older People Abstract This study aimed at exploring the mediating role of oral health in the relationships between personality traits and psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics among the elderly. The sample included 119 older adults (Mage = 68.89 SD = 9.75, 51 males) who were assessed through a self-report measure evaluating personality traits, the self-perceived impact of oral health on well-being and quality of life, and the self-perceived impact of dental aesthetics on daily living. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations and path coefficients were computed. Findings showed the mediating role of self-perceived oral health, given the positive indirect effects of neuroticism on social and psychological impact and aesthetic concern, and the negative indirect effects of conscientiousness on social impact and aesthetic concern. The interrelationships between personality traits and oral health in predicting psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics in elderly underline the usefulness of a patient-centered approach that clinicians should adopt to improve a healthcare system.

Correction to: A 10 Step Framework to Implement Integrated Care for Older Persons The original version of this article was revised. The table below shows the incorrect and correct columns.

Health Related Quality of Life and it’s Correlates among Older Adults in Rural Pathanamthitta District, India: a Cross Sectional Study Using SF-36 Abstract Data on health-related quality of life (HRQL) from India are limited. We conducted this community based cross sectional study to find out the HRQL and its correlates among older adults in one of the most advanced Indian districts in epidemiologic and demographic transition. We selected 300 older adults aged ≥60 years using a multi stage cluster sampling technique from Pathanamthitta district. Information on socio-demographics and self reported morbidity was collected using a structured interview schedule. HRQL was collected using a validated Short Form (SF)-36. We used multiple linear regression analysis to find out the correlates of HRQL. Mean age of the sample was 70 years (SD 8.4). The study constituted 58% women. The mean score of SF-36 subscales ranged from 28.8 for role physical to 78.2 for role emotional. Compared to mean physical component summary (PCS) score (42.2), mean mental component summary (MCS) score (61.2) was higher. Most of the SF-36 component scores were significantly higher among men, better educated, employed, those who lived with spouse, those who did not report chronic illness and those who belonged to upper caste compared to their counterparts. However, significance of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores was limited to better educated, employed and those who belonged to upper caste. The SF-36 scores on HRQL from this district are likely to be an upper estimate.

Psychosocial Factors and Leisure Perception of the Elder in Two Districts Central Java Indonesia Abstract The number of elder population is increasing significantly around the globe. Leisure time is the activities that someone does in his or her spare time, it has to be fun and conducted outside from the daily routine activities. Unproductive leisure spending becomes issues for the elders. The aim of this research is to find psychosocial factors that related to the perception of leisure amongst the elders. The study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted in Karanganyar and Surakarta. Sampling technique used was multistage random sampling. The sample was 160 elders. The measurement was done by a test. The questionnaire was used as the research instruments. Data analysis techniques were used with multiple linear regression analysis. Characteristics of the sample were 62.5% female, age 60–75 years (elder) 80.6%, education level 42.5% primary school or equivalent, health status 51.9% healthy no diseased, 67.5% not working, 68% severe cognitive impairment, mild and moderate about 44.7%, and 73% have a high spirituality. The level of depression has positive effect on the perception of leisure amongst the elder as significantly (b = 0.24; p = 0.001), higher cognitive level influenced the perception of elders leisure (b = 0.05; p = 0.03), and spiritual level influence is not significant to perceptions elders leisure (b = 0.02; p = 0.136). Levels of depression, cognitive level and spiritual level affected perceptions elder leisure (Adjusted R = 0.09; p = 0.001). The rate of depression and cognitive level are the important predictors of the perception of the usage of leisure time. Future researches are recommended to explore the other factors that influence perceptions of the elder leisure.