Quality of Life of the Elderly Population in Urban Areas of Haveri District: A Geographical Study

The quality of life (QOL) of elderly people refers to their overall well-being, satisfaction, and happiness in their later years. It encompasses various dimensions that impact their overall quality of life which includes their physical and mental health and their socio-economic status. QOL is a critical concern in the face of rapid population ageing. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines QOL in older age as "the perceived quality of life, which is influenced by the person's physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, environment, and spirituality/religion/personal beliefs." Haveri district in Karnataka state is considered a backward district and offers a unique context for studying the quality of life of elderly people due to socio-economic challenges such as poverty, limited access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure, making it an ideal location to study the impact of these factors on elderly people's quality of life. The study's findings are grounded in primary data gathered through direct field observations and structured interviews, employing questionnaires to solicit detailed information from participants. For present study, composite index has been used for finding the levels in the quality of life of elderly people. The findings of the study highlight the need for targeted interventions and policy responses to address the geographical inequalities and improve the quality of life of the elderly population in Haveri District. The research contributes to the understanding of population ageing from a geographical perspective, emphasizing the importance of place-based approaches to addressing the challenges of ageing.