~ 823 ~ ISSN Print: 2394-7500 ISSN Online: 2394-5869 Impact Factor: 5.2 IJAR 2016; 2(6): 823-826 www.allresearchjournal.com Received: 07-04-2016 Accepted: 08-05-2016 Dr. Sumanth S Hiremath Assistant Professor, Dept. of PG Studies & Research in Sociology, Rani Channamma University, Belagavi. Belagavi, Karnataka, India Correspondence Dr. Sumanth S Hiremath Assistant Professor, Dept. of PG Studies & Research in Sociology, Rani Channamma University, Belagavi. Belagavi, Karnataka, India Examining socio-economic aspects of ageing: A sociological study Dr. Sumanth S Hiremath Abstract The demographics of old age (above 60 years) population in the country constitute at 7.4 percent of total population (as per 2011 census) and it is increasing at an unprecedented rate. For a developing country like India, such trends have the potential pressures with regard to socio-economic, medical and psychological problems. Gerontology, the study of ageing and the elderly, deals not only with the physical process of ageing, but also with the related social and cultural factors. Change in socio- economic status and various health problems (psychological) adversely affect an individual's standard of living and their ‘lived-experience’ during old age. The psychology of ageing is clearly influenced by the general attitude towards the elderly. Social psychology indicates the changing attitude towards them. At the same time, social implications of ageing should be viewed in a wider context of their individual well being and their social interactions/ engagement. The present paper attempts to address the following research objectives through primary data of select elderly population of Belgaum city, Karnataka state and secondary data. Research Objectives  To examine the socio-economic background of the elderly  To analyse the social problems and health issues of the elderly  To understand their attitude towards life Keywords: ageing, gerontology, well-being, attitude. Introduction In India, the demographic change of the elderly (60 years of age and above) is remarkable for its speed. The highly advancement in the field of medical cure and care systems has made the improvements in survival and the declines in fertility over such a short period of time are unparallel. India as the second most populous country in the world has 76.6 million people at or over the age of 60, constitute above 7.7 percent of the total population. This group of elderly has always been an integral part of the family, especially in the Indian society. With the advent of various modern trends in the life of the Indians, there is declining social support, care and failing health has exposed the aged into various socio- economic problems. They are placed in a highly vulnerable position within the family itself. This is how the problem of ageing appears to be a most important issue in the present society. The major area of concern is the socio-economic and health of the elderly with multiple medical and psychological problems. Physical- falls are one of the major problems in the elderly and are considered one of the “Geriatric Giants”. Frequent physical- falls are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and are a marker of poor physical and cognitive status. Gradually, the phenomenon of population ageing has become a major concern for the policy makers, from the past few decades. The United Nations World Assembly on Ageing, held at Vienna in 1982, formulated a package of recommendations which gives high priority to research related to developmental and humanitarian aspects of ageing (Moneer, 2004) [1] . The plan of action specifically recommended, “International exchange and research cooperation as well as data collection should be promoted in all the fields having a bearing on ageing, in order to provide a rational basis for future social policies and action. Special emphasis should be placed on comparative and cross-cultural studies in ageing” (Rajan, et. al. 1999) [4] . International Journal of Applied Research 2016; 2(6): 823-826