Elderly in Delhi-NCR feel isolated: Study

A total of 37.5 per cent elderly say they feel isolated because they were living alone or with their spouse only.

The populace of 60 plus years was randomly selected according according to rural elderly and urban elderly and again categorised into males and females.

According to the recent report on UN Population Fund India had 90 million elderly people in 2011, with the number expected to grow to 173 million by 2026.

Meanwhile, in the Agewell study, urban areas seemed to fare poorer than their rural counterparts for senior citizens.

"In urban areas of Delhi and NCR 44 percent older personswere reported isolated socially as well as emotionally. Here older persons were much affected by emotional isolation (26 per cent) than social isolation (25 per cent)," quotes the study.

In rural areas 20.8 older persons were found socially isolated and 19 per cent older persons were emotionally isolated. Also, in villages of Delhi and NCR 36 per cent older persons reported social as well emotional isolation.

"No or less interaction with family members or within society" is the major cause of their state of isolation or loneliness in Delhi and NCR," it said.

44.2 per cent of those surveyed said that no or less interaction with family members or within society is major cause of their state of isolation or loneliness.

The study quotes a couple Pankaj Luthra (75)and Nirmala Devi (71) residing in Gurgaon. "Old Age has become hell for us due to mistreatment of our daughter-in-law with us. For sake of

... contd.