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Addressing Marginalization Among the Elderly: A Social Work Perspective

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Ageing Issues and Responses in India

Abstract

Old age, in the present sociocultural milieu, is driving people to marginalization and social exclusion. The present paper briefly discusses the multilayered vulnerabilities elderly face at the health, social and economic levels and their implications. In old age, body strength deteriorates and several diseases crop up in the body. Mental health ailments too rise in old age. Informal support system in terms of joint families and community ties is waning away making elderly struggle for their status and security. Current social security measures initiated by the government are grossly inadequate to meet the demands of two-thirds of the elderly, who are economically impoverished. Several research studies have validated that strong, amicable relations with significant others act as antidote to loneliness, alienation, depression, anxiety, elder abuse, sense of insecurity and even marginalization. So, to address the challenges faced by elderly, the paper strongly advocates for the development and maintenance of cordial and amicable family and community relations. It highlights the scope of geriatric social work to promote well-being among the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

    Archana Kaushik

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  1. Archana Kaushik
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Correspondence to Archana Kaushik .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Mala Kapur Shankardass

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Kaushik, A. (2020). Addressing Marginalization Among the Elderly: A Social Work Perspective. In: Shankardass, M. (eds) Ageing Issues and Responses in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5187-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5187-1_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-5186-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-5187-1

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