Prevalence of Common Physical Health Problems among Elderly in Selected Old Age Homes of a Cosmopolitan City

Background The last century has witnessed a rapid increase in the population of the elderly people in the developed and industrialized countries. India ranks 4th in terms of absolute size of elderly population. The country is not adequately equipped to look after their special health needs and the changing traditional value system. Method A descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of common physical health problems among elderly and study their relationship with selected socio demographic factors. A total of 150 elderly were selected from 07 old age homes of Pune by multi stage sampling method. The objective data was assessed by recording BP for hypertension, performing Hb analysis using Sahli-s Haemometer, urine analysis using Benedict-s solution, measuring BMI for obesity, screening vision problems by Snellen-s vision chart and hearing problems by whisper voice test. The questionnaire was also used for assessing socio demographic data, present history of physical health problems. The health records for chronic ailments being maintained in the old age homes were checked. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for the analysis of the tabulated data. Results The findings of the study revealed that 67 (45 %) of the inmates were in the age group of 70-79 years. Women outnumbered men. Most of the elderly widow females and males preferring to live in old age homes with 79 (53 %) of elderly being financially supported by family members and 37 (25 %) having spent more than 3 years in the old age homes. The most common morbidities found were vision problems affecting 125 (83.3 %), anaemia 73 (48.7 %), hypertension 65 (43.3 %) and diabetes in 61 (40.7 %) of the elderly. The study also found a significant association of hypertension and diabetes with age, diet and exercise. . In anaemia significant association was found only with age of the inmates. In addition a significant association was also observed between hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion Proper elderly health care services are required to further curtail the prevalence of non communicable diseases and improve the quality of life of an elderly. Prevalence of high morbidity among elderly in old age homes needs strengthening of geriatric health care services in accordance with the common existing problems in the Old age homes.