The poor well-being among older people is a matter of grave concern in contemporary Indian society due to vulnerability. Vulnerability refers to the physical and social limitations that older people face, which prevent them from maintaining healthy well-being. Today, many older people in India are facing physical and social vulnerability due to ageing. The objective of this study is to understand the nature of vulnerability and examine the causes that lead to poor well-being among older people, using the socio-ecological paradigm.
Qualitative descriptive research was employed in the present study. It examined the factors such as physical and social vulnerability that shape poor well-being among older adults. The study was conducted on a sample of 220 older adults residing in both rural and urban areas of Lucknow district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The data had been collected through an interview schedule and case studies.
The study finds that older people perceive themselves as more susceptible to physical vulnerability than to social vulnerability. Older people have reported enduring various chronic illnesses for a long time, resulting in a notable impact on their physical capabilities and mobility. Moreover, older people have pointed out that they have anxiety, phobias and a lack of happiness due to vulnerability, which reduces their well-being.
This research work examines the nature and impact of vulnerability on the well-being of older people, utilising the socio-ecological paradigm.
