Older People's Understanding on Old Age: A Mixture of Myth and Reality in Nepal

Abstract

Living longer is regarded as a triumph of human development. In Nepal, by and large, old age has been understood largely from the physical dimension; thus, there is wider belief that in old age people are frail and weak. The socio-psychological dimensions, in which elderly people are facing isolation due to loss of spouse, negligence from family and negatively viewed by society with old age stereotypes, are overlooked. The main objective of this research paper is to explore the elderly's own experiences and understanding on old age. This is qualitative research within the interpretative research paradigm.  Interview, field notes and participant observation were the key information gathering methods adopted. The study was carried out in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. And total six elderly persons, their family members and eleven stakeholders are selected purposively representing different ages and gender.

Keywords: Ageing, senior citizen,Kathmandu, Nepal