In recent years, the issue of the elderly, particularly in Ghana, has become a major concern since the number of aged population is increasing in societies which are least prepared for the challenges that often characterize the aged. As a result, caring for older adults has become a burden to family members who always provide social care to these older adults. Due to this, older persons are left alone to fend for themselves. Some also depend on the assistance of benevolent sympathisers for survival. These among others necessitated the need for this study to be conducted to find out the challenges of these older adults in Ajumako. A qualitative research approach with the phenomenological design was employed for the study. The study used the purposive sampling technique to select a sample size of twelve participants who are aged 65 years and above in Ajumako. The researcher adopted one- on- one interview, observation guide and focus group discussion as instruments for gathering data. The study revealed that most of the older persons in Ajumako lived in uncompleted buildings and unhygienic accommodations and environment. It was also revealed that some of the older adults also faced loneliness and economic hardships. It was recommended that there should be a separate ministry created by the government solely to address the myriad challenges faced by older adults in Ghana. The Ajumako-Enyan District Assembly should also create a fund that is “Aged Fund” to support the older adults. This dream could be realized by deducting a certain percentage of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) into that fund. If possible, there should be a policy to establish social centers in each district in Ghana by the government with support from other interest groups such as HelpAge Ghana to address the challenges the older adults face in the district.
Acierno, R., Hernandex-Tejada, M., Muzzy, W., & Steve, K. (2010). The national elder mistreatment study. Washington, DC: Department of Justice Press
Addo, N. O. (1972). Urban population and employment in Ghana. In Population Growth and Economic Development in Africa, S. Ominde and C. N. Ejiogu, eds. London: Heineman.
Agyeman A. F. (2014). Survival Strategies of the Elderly in Rural Ghana. Thesis submitted to the University of Ghana, Legon: June, 2014 http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh
Ahn, Y. H., & Kim, M. K. (2004). Health care needs of elderly in a rural community in Korea. Public Health Nursing, 21(2), 153 - 161.
Akanji, B. O., Oguniyi, A., & Baiyewu, O. (2002). Health care for older persons: A country profile - Nigeria. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 50, 1289 - 1292.
Apt, N. A. (1991). Ghanaian Youth on Ageing. Bold vol. 1, pp. 3-11.
Apt, N. A. & M. Greico (1994). Urbanization, caring for the elderly and the changing African family: the challenge to social welfare and social policy. International Social Security Review. Geneva, pp. 111-122.
Apt, N. A. (1985). The role of grandparents in the care of children. In problems and aspirations of Ghanaian children: Implications for Policy Planning in Action, P. A. Twumasi, and others, eds. Project report for Ghana National Commission on Children.
Apt, N. A. (1992). Family support to elderly people in Ghana. In family support for the elderly: The International Experience, H.L. Kendig, A. Hashimoto and L. Coppard, eds. New York: Oxford University Press.
Apt, N. A. (1996). Coping with Old Age in a Changing Africa. United Kingdom: Avebury. Aldershot
Apt, N. A. (2012). Aging in Africa: toward a redefinition of caring. In An Aging Population, an Aging Planet and a Sustainable Future, Stanley Engman and others, eds., vol. 1, chap. 9. Texas Institute for Research and Education on Aging.
Arber, S., & Cinn, J. (1991). Gender and Later Life: A sociological analysis of resources and constraints. London: Sage Publications.
Arokiasamy, J. (997).”Social Problems and Care of the Elderly”. Med J Malaysis.Vol.52,no 3,pp231-237
Baiyewu, O., Bella, A. F. & Adeyemi, J. D. (1997). Health problems and socio-demographic findings in elderly Nigerians. African Journal Medical Science, 26, 13 - 17.
Banga, E. H. (1992). Social Changes and Emerging Images of the Elderly in Ghana: Health and Nursing Implications. In A. Akiwumi (Ed.), Nursing Education for the 21st Century. Accra: Department of Nursing, University of Ghana
Brown, C. K. (1984). Improving the social protection of the ageing population in Ghana. Legon: University of Ghana, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research.
Calasanti, T. M., & Anna, M. Z. (1993). A Socialist Feminist Approach to Aging: Embracing Diversity. Journal of Aging Studies, (7), 117-31.
Calasanti, T., Selvin, K., & King, N. (2006). Ageism and Feminism: From "Et Cetera" to Centre. NWSA Journal, 1, 13-30.
Cox, F. M. & Mberia, N. U. (1977). Ageing in a changing society: A Kenyan experience. New York: International Federation on Ageing.
Geest, S. (2005). Funerals for the living: Conversation with elderly people in Kwahu. Accra: African Studies Association Publication.
Ghana National Population Council (2007). Ghana Country Report on the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Ghana: National Population Council, Accra
Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). (2012). 2010 Population and Housing Census: Summary Report of Final Results. Accra: Sakoa Press Limited.
Ghana Statistical Service. (2013). Population and Housing Census: Summary Report of Final Results. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.
Ghana Statistical Service. (2013). Population and Housing Census: Summary Report of Final Results. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.
Hall, P. (1989). Elder maltreatment items, subgroups and types: policy and practice implications. International Journal of Ageing and Human Development, 28, 191-206.
Johnson, R.W. & Mommaert C. (2011). “
In-Text Citation: (Nkansah, Adu & Kyei 2019)
To Cite this Article: Nkansah, J. O., Adu, I. N., Kyei, S. (2019). Woes of the Elderly: The Lived Experiences of Some Selected Older Adults in Ajumako in the Central Region of Ghana. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(11), 468-482.
Copyright: © 2019 The Author(s)
Published by Human Resource Management Academic Research Society (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
