International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research

Authors
Dr. Latha BR

Abstract
World Population is facing rapid changes in age structure. Because of epidemiological and demographic transition, the mortality rates have been declined in the world. At the same time, because of availability of family planning services and other social conditions fertility rates are also declining. As a result, people are surviving more and it is producing elderly people gradually. In India in the past, traditional social values and religious observances use to be supportive to the elderly. Today however economic change and disappearance of joint family system and increase of mortality started drastically eroding the support base of elderly. A person who reaches the age of 60 in India can now expect to live for more than 15 years. But many cannot afford to take life easy in their old age. This calls for a strong supporting system from relatives, NGO’s and Government.