Friday, June 5, 2009

Sensitization of Family Members for Better Health Care of The Old Aged Persons--an approach

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Sensitization of Family Members for Better Health Care of The Old Aged Persons

During old age the manifestation of diseases gets very high and demands specialized medical care and support. However only formal institutional medical care and support is inadequate in traditional country like India. The present paper inquires about the role of family support in medical treatment, rehabilitation and care of the old aged person.

The study follows observation technique to understand the patterns of changes in the family care being given to the old aged person in the changing socio-economic milieu. In addition, inferential analysis of the observed data has also been made to find out the gestalt of the family care.

With the advancement of age, the role of family becomes very important in care giving. Health becomes old aged person’s prime concern which cannot be addressed solely by institutionalized medical care. Hospice no doubt provides a specialized mechanism for shelter, health and medical care of the old aged persons but it is not enough. During pre and post hospice care the immediate family members and relatives provide most of the care. Economic support along with emotional care solely comes from the family. Similarly during the long tenure in which the old person is alive after serious health problems, it is the family which acts as rehabilitating mechanism.

To achieve better results for the health care of the elderly, it is essential that the traditional family care should be given higher precedence. Simple medical care or the alternative of old age home is not sufficient to provide adequate relief. The family members should re-learn the traditional values for providing respect and care to the old aged persons. This not only will bring back the missing touch of human bond in old age but will also make health care of old aged persons more feasible and sustainable...

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Dr. Umesh K. Singh, K46/166, Hartirath, Varanasi-221001,

umeshka@gmail.com , umesh.singh@live.in

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

End-of-Life Care

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Sunday, April 5, 2009

Culture Specific and Culture Sensitive End-of-Life Care A Case Study Based on Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan, Banaras

In all the major civilizations of the world, death, dying, disposal of dead body and the rituals related with death have been major concern of the society. In Hinduism, old age care and death have achieved not only special connotations in terms of spiritual and religious values but also culturally defined modes of behaviour. Kashi, the holy city of Hindus, has special significance in the process of old age care, dying and death. The city abounds in terms of old age care institutions run either by some charitable organizations or by some social welfare organizations, yet it is the Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan which is a unique organization that illustrates the culture specific and culture sensitive end-of-life care in abundance. For those living out of the sacred space of Kashi, this organization serves as an instrument to fulfill their last wish to die in Kashi and have their last rites and other rituals in this sacred city.

The present study is based on Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan. It explores the nature of services and facilities available for the dying old aged persons in this organization. It also endeavours to understand the fulfillment of religious and psychosocial needs and satisfaction which old aged persons and their family receive through this organization. Data of the study have been gathered through formal interviews and observation technique.

The study finds that the Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan is not simply a shelter home and support apparatus to provide end-of-life care to the dying ones but is performing an important role in attaining religious goals and psychological solace to the dying old aged person. The Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan thus becomes a facilitator and serves the cause of the old aged person in his journey towards salvation and spiritual satisfaction at the fag end of his life. As such, this institution exemplifies the end-of-life care which is culture sensitive and encompasses the values and belief system of Hinduism.

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Dr. Umesh K. Singh, K46/166, Hartirath, Varanasi-221001,

umeshka@gmail.com , umesh.singh@live.in