Abstract
This article by author Osei K. Darkwa, whose writings on Ghana have previously appeared in Ageing International, discusses the health, caregiving, socioeconomic, and service needs of elderly persons who live in Ghana. Brief sociodemographic information on the population is given. Challenges brought about by population ageing are discussed. Barriers to the provision of services to address the needs of the population are examined. Finally, measures are proposed to meet the challenges of providing services to elderly Ghanaians.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Apt, N. (1992). “Family support to elderly people in Ghana.” In Kendig, H., Hashimoto, A. and Coppard, L.C. (Eds.), Family Support for the Elderly. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 203–212.
Apt, N. (1994). “An Approach to Health Care of the elderly in Africa.” Prepared for the WOCHH Conference on Home Health Care, Chicago.
Apt, N. and Grieco, M. (1994). Urbanization, Caring for the Elderly People and the Changing African Family: The Challenge to Social Policy. International Social Security Review, 47, (3 4), pp. 111–121.
Apt, N. (Ed.), (1995). Ageing in Ghana. In Effective Response to Ageing in Africa by the Year 2000. African Gerontological Society.
Apt, N. (1997). Ageing in Africa. World Health Organization Ageing and Health Programme.
Banga, E.H. (1992). “Social Changes and the Emerging Images of the Elderly in Ghana: Health and Nursing Implications.” In Ayodele Akiwumi (Ed.), Nursing Education for the 21 Century. Department of Nursing, University of Ghana. Legon. pp. 58–76.
Banga, E.H. (1993). “The Emerging Image of the Aged in Accra, Capital of Ghana,” BOLD 3 (4), pp. 11–15.
Cisler, S. (1998). Telecenters and Libraries: New Technologies and New Partnerships. http://home.inreach.com/cisler.telecenters.htm.
Darkwa, O.K. (1997). Retirement policies and economic security for older people in Africa. Southern African Journal of Gerontology, 6 (2): pp. 32–36.
Duodu, Y. (1998). “The need for geriatric services in Ghana.” Southern African Journal of Gerontology, 7 (2): pp. 33–34.
Engman, E.V.T. (1986). Population of Ghana: 1850–1960. Accra, Ghana University Press.
Jenkins, M. (1993). “Extending social security protection to the entire population: Problems and issues.” International Social Security Review, 46 (2): pp. 3–20.
Nabila, J.S. (1986). Rural-Urban Migration and its Applications for Rural Development in Ghana. In C.K. Brown (Ed). Rural Development in Ghana Accra. Ghana University Press.
Peil, M. (1991). “Family Support for Nigerian Elderly.” Journal of Comparative family Studies, XXII (1) (Spring), pp. 85–99.
Peil, M. (1989). Health and Physical Support for the Elderly in Nigeria. Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology, pp. 89–106.
Stucki, B.R. (1992). “The LongVoyage Home: Return migration among aging cocoa farmers of Ghana.” Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 7, 363–378.
Twurnasi, P.A. (1975). Medical Systems in Ghana. Accra: Ghana Publishing Corporation.
Vele-Ibanez, C.G. (1983). Bonds of Mutual Trust: The Cultural Systems of Rotating Credit Associations among Urban Mexicans and Chicanos. Rutgers University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Darkwa, O.K. Toward a comprehensive understanding of the needs of elderly Ghanaians. Ageing Int. 25, 65–79 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-000-1012-z
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-000-1012-z