Agewell Winter Report 2018-19

Winters coupled with pollution forces elderly to seek warmth & emotional connect with family members

Most old people have to suffer a lot due to harsh weather conditions and ever increasing pollution level during winters. It not only affects them physically but psychologically as well. Agewell Foundation has recently carried out a survey across Delhi-NCR (based on Agewell volunteers' interactions) during this month with 1500 elderly living in the area and come up with some exciting findings.

Major concerns of elderly during winters

·       When older persons interacted during the month were asked about their major concern during winters, most of them i.e. 21.7% elderly respondents claimed that they feel depressed during winters as they can't go out of their houses for days due to cold conditions and they hardly find anyone to interact with.

·       21% elderly respondents claimed that their major concern is rising pollution level during winters, which causes many health related problems and restrict their outings.

·       According to 19.4% elderly, interacted during the month, they find cold weather conditions their major concern in itself.

·       Loneliness is one another major concern of older persons. 17.2% elderly respondents reportedly said that they find loneliness their biggest issue in old age during winters.

·       According to 14.5% elderly their major concern during winters is risks of infections due to severe pollution level, rough weather and weak digestion during winters.

 

Most common physical health related issues during winters

·       According to 41.2% elderly Joint Pain/ Back Pain / Arthritis is the most common health related complications, faced by elderly during winters.

·       Every 5^th elderly respondents (19.6%) claimed that high blood pressure/ heart attacks are most common health related problems during winters.

·       Following that 18.1% older persons interacted during the month claimed that in their opinion chest infections and breathing problems / asthma attacks are more common in old age.

·       Stroke / paralysis adjudged as most common health related issues during winters by almost 9.5% elderly respondents. 11.7% elderly respondents that other health complications like skin problems, swelling, etc. are most common health issues during winters.

What old people need the most during winters

·       On the basis of analysis of data compiled during the month of December 2018, it was found that it is the warmth of relationships that old people need the most during winters. According to 41% old people contacted by volunteers, more than woolens/medicines elderly seek warmth and a sense of togetherness with immediate family members and neighbours.

·       Following that almost 1/4^th elderly (26.6%) respondents, they feel companionship of their respective spouse is most needed in old age during winters.

·       18.7% elderly respondents claimed that that they need warmth of woolens/heating equipment and other comforts most during winters.

·       According to 9.1% old people their priority is to get proper food and healthcare support during winters. While 5.5% elderly claimed that they need support / help other than mentioned above.

During the survey, older people also opined that in old age, during winters cost of living increases as old people have to spend more money on medicines, foods, nutrition, heating arrangements, woolens etc. Study concludes that during winters older people not only need warmth of woolens but also need warmth of interactions with their near and dear ones, friends & neighbors as most of them feel low during winters.

For more info, pl. contact: 9810030979, agewellfoundation@gmail.com

www.agewellfoundation.org