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Accepted Paper:
Paper short abstract:
Through the demographic change and weakening of traditional systems, the care situation for older adults in Africa is becoming a huge concern. We discuss social support structures for elderly people in Ghana. Our inferences are based on qualitative research between 2019 and 2022.
Paper long abstract:
It is the extended family that has been the backbone of older adults. However, care and protection of the elderly, contemporarily, has experienced drastic ramifications. Through colonialism, neoliberalist globalisation and related factors the family system is weakening and cannot always be relied upon. Not only the changing understanding and living of the family construct, the increasing consumption-oriented lifestyle but also climatic conditions and changes in nature influence (daily) life of older adults, their positions within the family and society as well as co-create of social challenges they face. In this contribution, we explore the lived experiences of elderly and consider care networks for them in Ghana. We draw on our qualitative research conducted between 2019 and 2022 with older adults and their caretakers in rural communities as well as government institutions and non-governmental organisations. Findings show that existing governmental support programmes targeting elderly are insufficient. Challenges include limited awareness and information among older people, as well as unfavourable structures and implementations. In some cases, this leads to the failure to reach those in need or to their exclusion. There is a great need for solutions that enable people to grow old in dignity under current and future conditions. Societal diversity and site-specific characteristics require multifaceted pathways. Extended families are exploring creative solutions; however, individual compromises must be made. In addition, new forms of care emerge beyond the family and state. These include local groups as well as broader networks. Thereby, the idea of small contributions from many is often applied.
Creating futures: Revisiting (the transformation of) care networks in African countries
Session 3 Friday 2 June, 2023, -