Elderly in Abbottabad; health problems and loneliness

ABSTRACT

What are the health-related problems of the aged and why do they feel lonely? To study the health-related problems and loneliness among the elderly in different micro-environment groups. Participants: Aged persons of age 65 years and above. Cross-sectional. Urban and rural area of Abbottabad. 1st Jan, 2012 to 31st Dec, 2012. T-test and Z-test. During the study, it was found that out of the total 361 aged persons of Abbott bad, 311 [86.1%] persons reported one or more health-related complaints, with an average of two illnesses. The illness was higher among the females [59.5%] as compared to males [40.5%]. The main health-related problems were disorders of the circulatory system [51.2%], musculoskeletal system and connective tissue [45.7%]. It was also found that loneliness was prevalent more in females [72.8%] as compared to males [65.6%]. Loneliness was more prevalent among persons who lived alone [92.2%] as compared to those who lived with their spouse [58.9%] or when husband and wife lived with the family [61.4%]. It was higher among the widows [85.2%] and widowers [75.8%] who lived with the family as compared to the aged who lived with the spouse [58.9%] and the aged husband and wife who lived with the family [61.4%]. Special geriatric services should be started in the hospitals as the majority of the aged have one or more health-related problems. The aged persons should be involved in social activities to avoid loneliness among them