Old-age homes & the profile of their residents

Studies conducted on old-age homes and their inmates are reviewed. Though institutionalization of the elderly is a new phenomenon in India, a number of old-age homes have come up and there is a need for many more homes in India. Investigations with regard to the status of the aged in the changing social structure have more or less concluded on the breaking down of kinship and family organisations which has put the elderly in a state of helplessness, isolation and economic dependence.