ELDERLY IN ABBOTTABAD

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND LONELINESS

Abstract

Research Question: What are the health-related problems of the aged and why
do they feel lonely? Objective: 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. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Urban and rural area of Abbottabad. Period: 1st Jan,
2012 to 31st Dec, 2012. Statistical Analysis: t-test and Z-test. Results: 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%). Conclusions: 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.