Vol. 5, Issue 5, Part A (2019)

Background of the study: Self-care deficits emerges when individuals cannot meet the demands placed upon them, and the desired self-care behavior is not produced. Most of the elderly perceive self-care deficit in activities like feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the perceived self-care deficit among elderly residing in Ludhiana city Punjab and also aimed to find its association selected socio demographic characteristics.

Methodology: A Descriptive study was conducted on 100 elderly residing in Haibowal Kalan of Ludhiana city, Punjab. Convenience sampling technique was used to take the study sample. A questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristics, standardized Modified Barthel Index for self-care assessment (MBI) by Shah Surya were used for data collection. Data was obtained by self-report method.

Results: Socio demographic characteristics of elderly shows that majority i.e. 41 elderly residing in Ludhiana city were in age group 70-79 years, 44 among them were females, 33 were illiterate, 65 were married, 68 belonged to Hindu religion, 87 were living in joint families and 54 were living with their spouse and children. Financial characteristics shows that majority 95 were unemployed, 41 were home makers as former occupation, 60 had nil monthly income and 60 were dependent financially on their caregivers. Near to one third i.e. 31 subjects had hypertension, 22 had joint pain and 12 had diabetes. 14 subjects had undergone hysterectomy and 12 had heart bypass surgery. Results of present study revealed that more than half i.e. 55 elderly perceived slight self-care deficit, whereas 35 perceived moderate self-care deficit, seven had no self-care deficit, two perceived total self-care deficit and only one perceived severe self-care deficit. Study revealed a significant weak positive relationship between the perceived self-care deficit and social support. Perceived self-care deficit had higher among age group ≥80 years, in females who were widow/widower/ divorced, living with their children and financially dependent on caregivers. Social support had lowered among elderly of age group ≥80 years, in females who were illiterate, widow/widower/divorced and had no monthly income.

Conclusion: Overall study brought out the observation on perceived self-care deficit and social support among elderly. The study concluded that majority of elderly perceived slight self-care deficit. Perceived self-care deficit was found significantly associated with age group, gender, marital status, living status and monthly income.