Vol. 9, Issue 6 (2020)

Author(s):
Twinkle and Dr. Kavita Dua

Abstract:
The increase in the number of older adults in the country there is a rapid increase in nuclear families, and contemporary changes in psychosocial matrix and values often compel this segment of society to live alone or in old age homes. When an aging adult has a cognitive need, a physical concern, or a mental health concern, adding aging to the mix can create some struggles for the older adult. While there is a lot of focus on the mental health of younger people, it is equally important for elderly individuals to get treatment, especially for depression, which can complicate the treatment of a number of medical conditions including stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and more. The aim of the study was to study geriatric mental health and associated morbidities among elderly living at old age home called Moksha, Hisar, Haryana. Consent from the participants (elderly) was obtained. Survey Psychiatric Assessment Schedule (SPAS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) were applied. Thirty elderly who gave their consent to participate in the study were interviewed. Depression (43.33% in females and 33.33% in males) was found to be the most common geriatric mental health problem followed by dementia and anxiety issues. Maximum of the male respondents were having the urinary problem 86.66% followed by blood pressure 80%; weight loss 66.66% on the other hand female faced the maximum problem due to diabetes and blood pressure 80% followed by asthma 60%. Majority of the respondents faced the blood pressure 80% and cataract 76.66% health problem in the body. The majority of the elderly were having mental morbidity and no one was observed physically fit i.e had one or more than one physical morbidity.