Older Persons

Abstract

Background: The Older Persons (OPs) are the knowledge and experiencebanks who hand over their life experiences to run society to the youth to further take up thesociety for the continuity of life and its progressive upward mobility. Objective: The aim of studywas to explore the interrelationship of older persons’ health care and social protection in thelight of United Nations Principles for Older Persons in Rawalpindi city. Study Design: CrossSectional Study. Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaire was developed to collectinformation on Older Persons’ health, economic and psychological status. In this regard, anextensive questionnaire was designed and pre-tested vigorously. Place & Duration of Study:The data collection was done in various union councils of Rawalpindi city. The study durationwas three months and lasted from September 2013 to December 2013. Results: Family isconcerned about the welfare of OPs but the financial liabilities. In 82.8% cases children werefound to be caring whereas in 17.2% cases kids were totally forgetful. 46% OPs were primarilynursed by their spouses and 34% by sons or daughters. 44.3% OPs still managed their financialaffairs. In 66% case no secondary financial facility was provided by the government. 28.9%cases were those where OPs requested help from other sources. Conclusions: The IslamicJurisprudence, Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and UN Principles demand thegovernments and states to intervene in the situation and make sure that the OPs are enjoyingequal access to independence, (social) participation, care, self-fulfillment and dignity.