INTRODUCTION:

Aging is a natural process that profoundly impacts individuals, families, and society in various ways. As people grow older, they often experience depression due to numerous factors, including social isolation and lack of family support. The global elderly population is growing rapidly, with India witnessing a significant surge. Over the last decade, the elderly population in India has grown twice as fast as the general population. Currently, individuals above 65 years account for 38% of the population, and projections indicate that by 2030, the elderly will comprise 21.8% of the population¹.

Aging, initiated at birth, is a complex process influenced by interconnected physical, psycho-social, mental, social, economic, and environmental factors. Older adults may exhibit decreased cognitive and physical functioning, including sensory impairment, muscular weakness, reduced mobility, and exertional dyspnea. Nonspecific symptoms, often overlooked, comprise generalized weakness, fatigue, weight loss, breathlessness, somatic pain, decreased muscle strength, constipation, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, depression, dementia, and impaired memory. While healthy lifestyles enable many older adults to maintain optimal well-being, advancing age can precipitate feelings of low self-esteem, helplessness, and hopelessness, leading to increased social isolation and psychological distress.

In India, the elderly population is predominantly affected by three leading causes of mortality: respiratory, cardiac, and malignant diseases. Additionally, geriatric giants’ complex clinical syndromes significantly influence the health and well-being of older adults, encompassing urinary incontinence, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, falls and consequent injuries, pressure ulcers, immobility and associated complications, and retinal macular degeneration leading to vision impairment. These syndromes frequently arise from underlying pathologies and substantially impact the quality of life among older adults, necessitating comprehensive geriatric care to address the unique needs of this demographic³.

Older adults, due to the prevalence of chronic conditions, require more medications than any other age group. Despite comprising only 13% of the population, they account for 40% of all non-prescription medication use and a significant portion of prescription medication use. However, certain medications such as anti psychotics, anticoagulants, diuretics, and anti epileptic pose a high risk for older patients and are often inappropriately prescribed. Furthermore, any medication can impact nutritional status, which may already be compromised in elderly individuals due to marginal diets or chronic diseases and their treatments¹.

The elderly population constitutes a diverse and heterogeneous group, characterized by varying health status, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural influences. Interestingly, old age shares similarities with childhood, as both stages often rely on others for financial and emotional support. However, rapid social and cultural transformations have rendered the elderly increasingly vulnerable, exacerbating their susceptibility due to declining social support networks.

NEED FOR STUDY:

Aging is a gradual, universal decline in bodily functional reserve. Old age encompasses not only physical changes but also the loss of power, role, and social position. While old age presents challenges and limitations, it can also be a profoundly rewarding and fulfilling stage of life. In India, approximately 7.5% of the population is above 60 years, with Kerala having the highest proportion of elderly (8.77%) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands the lowest. Gerontological studies typically define the elderly as individuals over 60 years. The United Nations categorizes the elderly into three sub-groups: young-old (60-69), old (70-79), and oldest-old (80 and above)².

As life expectancy increases, the global elderly population is rising. According to the United Nations' 1998 World Population Prospects, individuals aged 60 and above comprise 9% of the global population, with 6.7% in underdeveloped countries and 15% in developed countries. Although developed countries have a higher proportion of elderly, the majority (61.2%) of the world's 530 million older adults reside in developing countries. By 2020, the global elderly population is projected to reach 1 billion, with 700million (70%) living in developing countries, thereby increasing the burden of age-related diseases. Notably, Europe is home to 19 of the world's 20 oldest countries, with Italy having the highest proportion of elderly (19%), expected to rise to 28% by 2030.

India and China together account for one-third of the world's population aged 65 and above, with a combined elderly population of 166million in 2008, according to the "Aging World Report." By 2040, this number is projected to reach 551 million, with China contributing 329million and India contributing 222million. Improved medical services, better health and nutrition awareness, and comparatively better overall standards of living have resulted in delayed onset of aging-related problems, ultimately increasing life expectancy among the elderly. This rapid growth of the elderly population presents both challenges and opportunities for growth, innovation, and social development in India and China⁵.

India's aging population scenario reveals significant trends. With a population exceeding 1billion in 2000, India continues to grow at 1.5% per annul, projected to surpass 1.5billion by mid-century. Notably, 56% of males and 55% of females in India continue working beyond 60. However, dependence varies greatly by location and gender. In rural areas, 70.6% of elderly females and 31.3% of elderly males are fully dependent, whereas in urban areas, 75.7% of elderly females and 29.7% of elderly males rely on others for support in 2015, PES Hospital admitted 6,389 older adults with geriatric problems, with monthly admissions ranging from 269 in January to 536 in December. This represents 532.4 admissions per 1,000 population, 133.10 admissions per week, and 19 admissions per day. The trend continued in 2016, with notable admissions in January (438), February (525), and June (586). During my clinical posting, I observed numerous geriatric cases lacking awareness about their health issues, prompting me to investigate geriatric problems and management. This study aims to address the growing concern of geriatric admissions, which accounted for a significant proportion of hospital admissions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and awareness programs.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A Study to Assess the level of knowledge regarding geriatric health problems and its management among elderly receiving treatment in selected hospitals, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

· To assess the level of knowledge regarding geriatric health problems and its management among elderly

· To associate the level of knowledge regarding geriatric health problems and its management with their selected demographic variables.

Operational Definitions:

Assess:

It refers to evaluate the level of knowledge of old age people regarding geriatric health problems and its management.

Knowledge:

The level of understanding of old age people regarding geriatric health problems and its management.

Geratric health problems:

A state in which old-age people are unable to function normally in day- to- day life.

Assumptions:

The old age people may have adequate knowledge regarding geriatric health problems and its management.

MATRIALS AND METHODS:

Research Approach:

A descriptive approach was used to assess the knowledge regarding geriatric health problems and its management among elderly at PES hospital.

Research Design:

A descriptive research design was used to assess the level of knowledge on geriatric health problems and its management among elderly at PES hospital, Kuppam.

Settings of the Study:

The study was conducted at PES Hospital, Kuppam, which is a situated trizonal state of the Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. It is a multispecialty Hospital. It has constructed with a good infrastructure and staffing pattern with effective quality care approximately 750 bed occupancy.

Population:

The population for the study included all old age people above 30 years at PES Hospital, Kuppam.

Sample:

The sample comprised of old age people above 60 years, who fulfilled the inclusive criteria.

Sample Size:

The sample selected for the present study was 60 old age people who got admitted at PES hospital, Kuppam.

Sample technique:

The sampling techniques used for the present study was convenient sampling.

The major findings of the study summarized as follows:

· The results showed that demographic variables comprised individuals aged 60-63 years (27%), 64-67 years (23%), 68-71 years (27%), and 72 years and above (23%). Females outnumbered males, accounting for 53% and 40% of the sample, respectively. The majority (73%) identified as Hindu, followed by Muslim (10%) and Christian (7%). Educational status varied, with 53% having primary education, 17% holding a degree, and 13% being illiterate. Occupations included coolies (30%), farmers (47%), private employees (13%), and government employees (10%). Most patients (87%) were non-vegetarian, and 73% belonged to nuclear families. Income levels ranged from ₹10,000-20,000 (53%) to ₹50,000 and above (10%). Family sizes varied, with 47% having two children and 40% having three or more. Lastly, 43% resided in rural areas, 27% in urban areas, 27% in semi-urban areas, and 3% in tribal areas.

· Out of 30 samples, only 1 patient (3%) had poor knowledge, while 12 patients (40%) had inadequate knowledge. The majority, 17 patients (57%), demonstrated moderate knowledge. Notably, none of the patients (0%) possessed adequate knowledge.

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables.

S. No

Demograohic Variables

Frequency

Percentage

Age

a) 60-63 yrs

b) 64-67 yrs

c) 68-71yrs

d) 72 and above

27%

23%

27%

23%

Sex

a) Female

b) Male

57%

43%

Caste

a) Hindu

b) Muslim

c) Christian

83%

10%

Educatinal Status

a) Primary

b) Secondary

c) Degree

d) Illiterate

53%

17%

13%

Occupation

a) Coolly

b) Farmer

c) Private employee

d) Govt. employee

30%

47%

13%

10%

Food Habits

a) Non vegetarian

b) Vegetarian

87%

13%

Types of Family

a) Nuclear family

b) Joint family

73%

27%

Income

a) 10,000-20,000/-

b) 20,000-30,000/-

c) 30,000-40,000/-

d) 50,000/- and above

53%

17%

20%

10%

Number of Children

a) None

b) 1

c) 2

d) 3 and above

475

40%

Area of Living

a) Rural

b) Urban

c) Semi-urban

d) Tribal

43%

27%

Table-1 revealed that the 30 geriatric patients comprised individuals aged 60-63 years (27%), 64-67 years (23%), 68-71 years (27%), and 72 years and above (23%). Females outnumbered males, accounting for 53% and 40% of the sample, respectively. The majority (73%) identified as Hindu, followed by Muslim (10%) and Christian (7%). Educational status varied, with 53% having primary education, 17% holding a degree, and 13% being illiterate. Occupations included coolies (30%), farmers (47%), private employees (13%), and government employees (10%). Most patients (87%) were non-vegetarian, and 73% belonged to nuclear families. Income levels ranged from ₹10,000-20,000 (53%) to ₹50,000 and above (10%). Family sizes varied, with 47% having two children and 40% having three or more. Lastly, 43% resided in rural areas, 27% in urban areas, 27% in semi-urban areas, and 3% in tribal areas.

CONCLUSION:

This descriptive study assessed the level of knowledge regarding geriatric health problems among 30 samples. The results showed that only 1 patient (3%) had poor knowledge, while 12 patients (40%) had inadequate knowledge. The majority, 17 patients (57%), demonstrated moderate knowledge. Notably, none of the patients (0%) possessed adequate knowledge, highlighting a significant knowledge gap regarding geriatric problems.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. In-depth exploration of geriatric problems and management: Conduct an in-depth study to identify specific geriatric problems and evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies.

2. Large-scale replication study: Conduct a similar study with a larger sample size to increase generalizability and validity of the findings.

3. Conduct a comparative study between different hospitals to identify best practices, gaps in care, and areas for improvement in geriatric management.

REFERANCES:

1. Joycee M. Black (2001). A Text Book of Medical and Surgical Nursing. (6^th Ed) Saunders Publications. Page no: 513-526.

2. Donna.p. Linda (2001) A Text Book of Medical Surgical Nursing (22^ndEd) Central Publications. Page no: 837-884.

3. Myers (1998) A Text Book of Medical Surgical Nursing. (7th edition) Mosby Publication, Page no:159-164.

4. H.W Swamy. Comparative study to assess emotional well being of senior citizens staying in old age home versus senior citizens staying with family. Nightingale’s Nursing Times. 2013: 37-38.

5. Karger AG, Basel. A study was done on coping and depression among person 60 years of age and above. Indian Journals of Psychiatry. 2013; 52(7): 148-152.

Received on 26.09.2024 Revised on 08.12.2024

Accepted on 18.01.2025 Published on 25.02.2025

Available online from March 24, 2025

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2025;4(1):1-4.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2025.01

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