Abstract
Drawing data from the “Ghanaian Gerontological Social Work Research Project,” this case study examines the impact of the organizational network of HelpAge Ghana on its roles in eldercare in Ghana. Using an organizational network framework and survey, participatory observation, and document review data collection strategies, it was discovered that Helpage Ghana had provided alternative eldercare when older people face declining family eldercare and inadequate governmental elderly services. A four-level analysis reveals that the selected organization network not only ensures resources and public recognition necessary for organization birth and survival, but also creates independence from long-term partners like HelpAge International and the Government of Ghana. The study concludes that the organizational network of HelpAge Ghana has positively impacted its roles as a developmental organization and a service NGO. By defining aging issues as developmental issues, HelpAge Ghana actively changes the quality of life of older people and eldercare infrastructure through the passage of national healthcare policies, in pursuit of national policy on aging, raising awareness of rights of older people, and empowerment. In gerontological services, HelpAge Ghana Adults Day Centres and other programs have reduced physical, mental, and social health risks of older people. Significances and limitations of the study are also discussed.
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Acknowledgements
The research was carried out with the enormous help of many people. Most prominent was the assistance given by Ghanaian friends and colleagues at HelpAge Ghana and Tema Department of Social Welfare: Ebenezer Adjetey-Sorsey, Aunt Rose, Comfort Asare, and Nat Botchway. Our gratitude to everyone at HelpAge Ghana Day Centres who participated in the research to any degree, especially those called “granny”.
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Agbényiga, D.L., Huang, L. Impact of the Organizational Networks on the Roles of NGOs in Eldercare: Perspectives from HelpAge Ghana Day Centres. Ageing Int 37, 338–355 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-011-9117-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-011-9117-0