IJRSS Volume 2, Issue 3 ISSN: 2249-2496 _________________________________________________________ A Quarterly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage, India as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us 139 August 2012 Health Problems of Aged People J. Balamurugan* Dr. G. Ramathirtham** __________________________________________________________ Abstract Aging brings about a number of physiological changes. It not only affects a person‟s looks, but also becomes a cause of physical deterioration. This study was undertaken to understand the health status of elderly people and to gather some information about their perceived health needs using the information and over of Puducherry district. The present study is descriptive in nature. Herein, an attempt is made to describe the situation and major health problems faced by the elderly from 213 elderly population of aged 60 and above in three rural communes of Puducherry. Findings reveal that majority of the elderly, both male and female, are unhealthy. The most common health problems aged people face include eye sight, hearing, joint pains, nervous disorders, weakness, heart complaints, asthma, tuberculosis, skin diseases, urinary problems and others. More health problems were reported by women compared to men. Key words: Rural Aged, Health Problems, Geriatric, Unorganised Sector, Support System. * Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Pondicherry University. ** Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Pondicherry University.