A Study On Aging With Hansen’s Disease Overcoming Social Exclusion And Discrimination.

Abstract

Background- Hansen’s disease or Leprosy is a disease, which still strikes fear in the societies as a mutilating, disfiguring, contagious and incurable disease. Because of the horrifying nature of the enigmatic physical disfigurement and the stigma attached to it,the affected elderly individuals suffer from exclusion from society, non-fulfilment of the special care required by them causing physical and emotional stress and decreased quality of life.

Purpose- To analyse the degree of awareness about leprosy, how the affected elderly population is treated, knowledge about its available treatment and role of rehabilitative services among the persons affected with leprosy.

Methodology- A total of 150 leprosy affected elderly individuals were selected from the community. Participants were interviewed based on a self-devisedquestionnaire which assess their awareness about the disease and the behaviour of society towards them.

Result- The result of above survey shows that awareness about disease is still at low level and the stigma is reduced but not up to significant level. The affected individuals suffer from marked segregation from the society and ageing related special needs and care are not fulfilled.

Conclusion- There is need of reconceptualizing the stigma associated with leprosy.   The society should be more empathetic towards the leprosy affected elderly persons. Better steps should be taken towards their acceptance and taking proper care with timely accomplishing medical treatment and improving their quality of life with the help of physiotherapeutic approach.