The elderly in Trinidad: health, social and economic status and issues of loneliness.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the general health and social status of elderly persons surveyed in Trinidad and to explore issues of loneliness.


METHODS
An island-wide survey of persons aged 65 years and older was conducted in early 2002 in Trinidad Eight hundred and forty-five (845) elderly persons were chosen using systematic random sampling. The main survey instrument for data collection was a questionnaire that included structured as well as open-ended questions. The subjects were chosen in a house-to-house survey conducted in all eight counties in Trinidad. Elderly people who were unable to comprehend the questions were excluded from the survey.


RESULTS
Those selected ranged in age from 65-102 years and represented all the ethnic groups in Trinidad. These elderly persons lived in a wide range of housing situations. The majority lived in the homes of family members (57%) and 16% lived on their own. A large proportion (80%) had at least one chronic medical problem, although 44% reported their health as "fairly good" or "good". More than a half of the males (53%) and 67% of the females were taking at least one prescribed medicine. The main sources of income were old age pension (85%) and National Insurance (15%). Thirty-three per cent reported feelings of loneliness. This figure includes 28% of those who did not live alone.


CONCLUSIONS
The data revealed that across all ethnic groups more than one-third of the sample reported themselves to be in fair to good health. Many of these elders were lonely because their relatives were quite occupied with their own affairs.
Rawlins
J M
JM
The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. rawlinsjm@yahoo.com
Simeon
D T
DT
Ramdath
D D
DD
Chadee
D D
DD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago