Grounds for Post Retirement Jobs and Elderly Health

Abstract

The biological process of ageing is inevitable, irreversible and involuntary phase which rate, increase in nutrition awareness, advancements in medical facilities, life expectancies have also increased with the development of science and technology which is demonstrated by the fact that there will be 771 million seniors worldwide in 2022, a number that is three times more than it was in 1980. By 2030, there will be 994 million older people in the world, and by 2050, there will be 1.6 billion. India has 104 million senior declines the productivity. This low productive ageing population increases due to the decreased mortality adults (60 years and above), or 8.6% of the total population, according to the Census of 2011. Unfortunately, the custom of honouring, welcoming, and appreciating the old has altered, and the realities of life have compelled seniors to choose occupations after retirement. Therefore, in the recent past, post retirement employment has become a rising phenomenon in the modern society replacing the context of “exit from the full time work to full time leisure”. The replacement is due to the breakdown of joint families, rise in dual earner families, loss of family& cultural values, force to avoid boring life, loneliness, context to lead a dignified life etc. Despite of aging, the elderly effort to post retirement jobs. Therefore the present study was carried in Coimbatore city with exploratory study design, aimed on socio - demographic profile, reasons for taking post retirement jobs, difficulties faced during their post-retirement jobs and their health. Through purposive sampling technique 160 respondents were identified and administered an interview schedule which focussed on socio demographic characteristics, reasons and difficulties in post-retirement jobs and health issues. The study findings were derived through simple percentage and cross tabulation which reveals that 78.12% were males and 21.87% were females, from which 60.62% live along with their children while 39.37% of them live as elderly couples. Part of the elderly took up a job after retirement due to economic reasons, 43.12% due to personal reasons and 1.87% were socially forced to take up job after retirement and most of them were treated well at the workplace as they are required to socialize their younger counter parts. Difficulties vary according to their positions like blue and white collar occupations. All the Working elderly are on the clutch of general and specific health issues. The study findings infer that post retirement jobs are not a good sign for the growth of an individual, family and society. Therefore they must be honoured and cared in terms of fundamental needs, health, peace and satisfactory life which would prevent them from insecure and dishonourable lives.