Basic Needs for the Aged in Selected Districts in Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Abstract

The issue of the aged is a major concern to the society and has hence influenced a number of policies in their interest; yet, the conditions of the aged have not changed much. This study therefore sought to investigate the healthcare, housing, social and financial support given to the aged in the Kumasi Metropolis and Bosomtwi District within the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for the selection of the study area while random sampling was used in selecting 264 aged respondents. Their care givers were also interviewed; where the aged gave permission to. The religious institutions they attend and other philanthropic institutions that support them were also purposively sampled. Interview guide and questionnaire were used for the collection of data. The survey revealed that 48.9% of the aged respondents lived in their family houses and has some form of social interaction. About 64% however lived without their spouses and visited friends to break boredom. About 58% of the aged respondents suffer from multiple illnesses which are usual of the aged and most of them (63.3%) went for regular medical check-ups to sustain themselves. The study also revealed that, 91.3% of the aged respondents depended on remittances from their children for financial sustenance, which was not reliable as any hiccup in the finances of their children would affect their wellbeing. The implementation of the “Aged Fund” would oversee the wellbeing of the aged; and the establishment of Community Social Centres for social interactions has been recommended. Again, the age limit for the subsidized premium payment of the National Health Insurance Scheme should be reduced from 70 years to 65 years as 28.4% of the aged respondents fell within the 65-69 year age cohort.

Keywords: Aged, Wellbeing, Housing, Health care, Social support, financial support.