Reasons for living of elderly people in old age homes: an exploratory study

Abstract

Now-a-days, many old-age homes have been established from government as well as other organizations in Nepal. Why elderly people have to reside in old age homes? It was the research question of the research study. The objective of this study was to explore the factors compelling elderly people to reside in old age homes. This study was carried out on 22 elderly residing in Devghat Old-Age Homes, Tanahu, Nepal. Factors responsible for their settlement in OAHs were explored using interview method. Loneliness (31.8%), poverty (27.3%) and having no son/daughter (27.3%) were found to be most common reasons for residing in old-age home. Many elderly people in Nepal are opting old-age homes as their place of stay in their later life. Foreseeing the future the government and voluntary agencies in Nepal must make arrangements for institutional support and care for the elderly.