Study of Situation and Role of the Ageds in Dezful Families

Old age is a critical stage in human life so paying attention to problems and needs of this group is a social necessity. Considering special needs of this stage, paying attention to behaviors that promote the place and situation of the elderly people in society and family is an important issue, but this is often neglected.The purpose of the present study is to investigate causes and factors that affect the place and situation of the elderly people in their families. This study tries to take a step toward maintaining and promoting this place and situation by identifying factors that stabilize and improve the place and situation of the elderly in families, and it tries to help, though slightly, improve and promote the elderly life conditions in family circles.

The present study was performed using survey method on 280 elderly people aged more than 60 residing in families that were living in Dezful. These people were selected by cluster sampling method randomly. A questionnaire the reliability and validity of which had been determined was used to gather data.

After data were analyzed, there was a meaningful relationship between all independent variables considered in this study and dependent variables of the situation of the elderly people so that variables such as age, academic degree, health conditions, cooperation rate and economic status, as well as family type and, finally, religious beliefs of the elderly people families influence the situation of elderly people.There results obtained from independent "t'' test showed that there was difference between the elderly men and women in terms of health conditions, cooperation rate in household work, economic and religious status of their families. This difference in health conditions and economic status was in favor of elderly men, and the difference in family being religious and cooperation rate in household work were proved to be in favor of elderly women. that is, elderly men acted better than elderly women in health conditions and economic status. whereas elderly women acted better than elderly men in being religious of families and cooperation rate in household work.

factors such as religious being rate of families of elderly people are highly important; therefore it can be possible to promote and improve their situation as much as possible in their families as well as prevent and minimize their present and future problems by identifying and studding these factors acting properly and planning effectively.