Aging and Health Issues of Women in Old Age Homes: A Study of Kolkata City

As the global population ages, low- and middle-income countries are experiencing rapid demographic shifts. This study focuses on upper-class older women in Kolkata living in old age homes. The research aims to evaluate their physical and mental health, socioeconomic conditions, and quality of life, providing evidence-based recommendations aligned with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.

The central objectives include adopting a population-based strategy for health, developing metrics for healthy aging, and crafting policy recommendations by comparing local conditions with WHO/UN frameworks and Asia-Pacific models. Key research questions address the types of retirement homes in Kolkata, the socioeconomic profiles of residents, the relationship between past mental/physical health and current wellness, and the adequacy of eldercare services.

The study employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Researchers will conduct around 300 face-to-face, structured interviews across five government-sponsored and five non-governmental old age homes. Data collection includes participant observation and structured questionnaires, with analysis performed via advanced Excel to inform policy and quality-of-life indices.

Addressing a critical data gap in the holistic study of elderly women in Kolkata, this project seeks to reconcile the interface between academic research and public policy. Expected outputs include project reports for the ICSSR, policy papers for the West Bengal government, an edited book, and a novel dataset intended to support future comparative studies on healthy aging.