INTRODUCTION:

Old age is irreversible biological process. The problem of old age has been considered as a main social problem all over the world. With growing age, older persons experience various anatomical and physiological changes. These changes bring many physical, psychological, behavioral and attitudinal changes in them that give rise to socioeconomic problems.

Specifically, senior citizens broadly face major problems such as loneliness, abuse, health care, income, housing and transport, security etc. Emotional problems are normal for senior citizen to experience stress, worry, anger and Other negative emotions. Older persons have different ways of coping with their losses and changes in life. If they have adjusted fairly well during their adulthood, they are more likely to be able to adjust well to their old age.

On the other hand, if they used to resist change throughout their younger age, they will probably continue to do so and experience various negative physical and emotional effects. Stress is the body’s natural response to changes and demands. Change is inevitable which means each person will deal with stress at some point in their lives. When all the young members of the family are busy In their discourses of life, old people lack the love and attention they need. All these factors contribute to stressing in old age.

Coping strategies or mechanisms are any conscious or unconscious decision which causes relief or consolation in stressful situations. Old person become egocentric and self-centered. They also show their preoccupation with themselves by talking endlessly about their pasts. They often do still fear about death. This age is a rapid decline in membership and activity in community. Old person take part in the activities of civil, political, or religious organization. Who live alone have far less Interest than those who live with grown children or in homes for the retired elderly. Many old people have a concept of heaven or hell and about the after life.

NEED OF THE STUDY:

Studies have shown that most common old age problems are economical dependency, loneliness, insecurity and diminished self-concept. In the families when the elderly ceases their functional ability they may viewed as a burden for the family, community and may end up in institutionalization. Living in an institution demands specific adjust mental tasks to cope with the problems. Some individuals make good adjustments and some find it difficulty which results in stress, anxiety, tension, etc. Student should be encouraged to participate in various programmes conducted for elderly people, family members and public. Student should be familiar with the different coping strategies to manage emotional problems, so they can help the senior citizen to cope with their problem. People have to cope with all types of problems during their lives. Nursing personnel can play an important role in helping old age people to develop a more optimistic explanatory style that will ameliorate with health problems.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

“A study to assess the emotional problems and coping strategies among senior citizens in selected old age home at Azahiamandapam in Kanyakumari district.”

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the emotional problems experienced by senior citizens living in selected old-age home in Azahiamandapam at Kanyakumari district.

· To find the coping strategies adopted by senior citizen living in selected old age-home in Azahiamandapam at Kanyakumari district.

METHODOLOGY:

The quantitative research approach was used in this study, The research design was non-experimental descriptive research design, The setting was DM Convent old-age home at Azahiamandapam in kanyakumari district, Demographic variables are Age, gender, religion, number of children, marital status, education, health status. Target Population was Senior citizens those who are residing in old age home, The sample was senior citizen in selected old age home at Azahiamandapam and available during data collection. The sample size was 30, senior citizens based on the availability. Non probability consecutive sampling technique was used in this study.

RESULTS:

Section I: Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables (N=30)

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables.

Demographic Variables

Frequency (f)

Percentage (%)

Age (in years):

a) 60 – 65yrs

b) 66 – 70yrs

c) 71 – 75yrs

d) Above 75yrs

Gender:

a) Male

b) Female

Religion:

a) Christian

b) Hindu

c) Muslim

d) Others

No. of children:

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) More than 4

Education:

a) Primary

b) Secondary

c) Graduate

d) Post graduate

Marital status:

a) Married

b) Unmarried

c) Widow

Health status:

a) Healthy

b) Unhealthy

Table 1: Depicts that 40% old age are in 60-65years, 60% of the samples were females, 77% of the subjects were Christian, 40% of peoples have 2 children, 67% of the samples completed their primary education, 57% of the samples were widow, 73% of the samples were healthy.

Section II: Assessment of the level of Distribution of Samples according to their emotional problems:

Fig 1: Percentage distribution of Samples according to their emotional problems (N=30)

Fig 1: illustrates that majority 80% of the old-age people facing high level of emotional problems, 20% of the old-age people facing low level of emotional problems.

Section III: Distribution of samples according to their level of coping strategies:

Table 2 Distribution of samples according to their level of coping strategies

Level Of Coping Strategies	Frequency (f)	Percentage (%)
Adequate	12	40
Moderate	10	33
Inadequate	8	27

Table 2 Shows that 12 (40%) senior citizens have adequate coping strategies, 10 (33%) senior citizens have moderate coping strategies and 8 (27%) have inadequate coping strategies.

DISCUSSION:

The objectives of the study were to assess the emotional problems experienced by senior citizens living in selected old-age home at Azahiamandapam in Kanyakumari district, and to find the coping strategies adopted by senior citizen living in selected old-age home at Azahiamandapam in Kanyakumari district. 40% old age are in 60-65years, 60% of the samples were females, 77% of the subjects were Christian, 40% of peoples have 2 children, 67% of the samples completed their primary education, 57% of the samples were widow, 73% of the samples were healthy.Majority 80% of the old-age people facing high level of emotional problems, 20% of the old-age people facing low level of emotional problems.12 (40%) senior citizens have adequate coping strategies, 10 (33%) senior citizens have moderate coping strategies and 8 (27%) have inadequate coping strategies.

RECOMMENDATION:

· Similar study can be replicated in large sample size there by findings can be generalized.

· Study can be conducted to assess the knowledge, coping strategies regarding emotional problems among senior citizens can be assessed.

CONCLUSION:

The conclusion drawn from the study shows that 40% of them had adequate knowledge, 33% of them had moderate knowledge and 27% of them had inadequate knowledge regarding emotional problems and coping strategies. The above result suggest that there is no need to make awareness on copy strategies regarding emotional problems.

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Received on 05.09.2024 Revised on 15.10.2024

Accepted on 10.11.2024 Published on 20.11.2024

Available online on December 28, 2024

Int. J. of Advances in Nursing Management. 2024;12(4):191-193.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2024.00042