Identifying the Need to Provide Medical Assistance and Home Healthcare to the Elderly

Abstract

The health problems of elderly citizens are manifold, ranging from physical and mental ailments to emotional and psychological concerns. These raise challenges and limitations that, on varying levels, affect the daily living of the seniors. This also puts the family members in a constant state of worry. It is often found that the family members are unequipped, unaware, and/or afraid of providing any type of medical assistance to the elderly in times of emergency. The research aims to understand the need and importance of providing medical and health assistance to the elderly. The assistance could be varied and can cater to a wide range of needs. Furthermore, the research also aims to identify the importance of a medical emergency kit and its generic contents and also evaluate the existing knowledge and responsive behaviour of the elderly as well as his/her relatives, in the event of a medical emergency. For this research, a triangulation methodology was adopted by conducting observations and semi-structured interviews; data were analysed using thematic and content analysis techniques. The research has proven to be helpful in empathizing with the elderly. The need for an inclusive home healthcare product for the elderly is evident.