Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Ashwini V Yankati and Prema B Patil

Abstract:
Globally, the population is aging rapidly. Elderly persons are more at risk since most of them are no longer in the economically active phase of life and the social security schemes for elderly pay a very meagre amount which is almost negligible for their day to day living and health expenses. Added to it, the traditional family support is decreasing as urbanization and migration is taking young members of the family away. The collapse in family ties and structure also have negative effect on elders who used to enjoy support from extended joint families where traditionally the elders were respected and properly catered. The data indicates an annual average flow of close to 9 million migrant people between the states. Although migration has become a widespread social and demographic phenomenon in developing countries, the subjective consequences of migration are often overlooked. Thus, the study aims at finding the positive or negative effect of migration of adult children on the quality of life of elderly left behind. The study was conducted to know the correlation between migration of adult children and quality of life of elderly parents from Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts. The sample comprised of 150 elderly of whom 100 elderly were living with children and 50 elderly were living with children. The scale on quality of life developed by Bowling and Stenner was used for the study. It consists of 35 statements with 8 dimensions. The data was subjected to correlation test. The results revealed that elderly living alone faced problems related to health whereas elderly living with children faced financial problems. A significant relationship was found between gender, occupation and migration with quality of life of elderly living all alone and a significant relationship between gender and type of family was observed with quality of life of elderly living with children.