A Socio-Gerontological Study about Health Status, Desire for Longevity and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly Living in and around Naggar Village, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Gerontology which is the study of all the processes of aging must be understood from the cultural point of view. Socio-cultural factors are also important for studying gerontological processes. The processes of aging and the aged have always interested man. The study of aging is a vastly varied field. It is, of necessity, a multidisciplinary approach, which is both its strength and weakness. Many disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, and biology blend together for the study of aging and reminds us that human behavior is multifaceted. Healthy ageing is a priority area of global concern for the World Health Organization. This paper deals with the study of elderly aging above 60 years. The paper is based on the study conducted among the elderly villagers of both the sexes in Naggar Village of Himachal Pradesh. 160 samples (89 males and 79 females) were collected for the present study,for present study purposive sampling was used for data collection. The present paper deals with the general attitudes and opinions of elderly about Health Status, desire for longevity and life satisfaction. Hypertension was found to be a major health problem among the elderly. As regards to general attitudes and opinions, more male elderly were desirous of greater longevity than the elderly females. And life satisfaction was found to be higher among the elderly males of the present sample as compared to elderly females. Female elderly with economically independent were found to be more confident, satisfied, desired for longer life and had good relationship with their childrenas compare to dependent.