Abstract:
This study sought to investigate the functionality of the support systems for the
elderly in Ghana particularly in the Gomoa East District (GED). Purposive sampling
technique was used to select the study area whereas snowball technique was adopted
for the selection of respondents for the study. In all sixty-four (64) respondents took
part in the study. Questionnaires were used to gather data. The study showed that
most of the elderly in the area are suffering from low self-esteem, lack of
opportunities they had when they were young, health challenges, poverty and
loneliness. Additionally, the study revealed that most of the support the elderly
receive comes from immediate family members as they find it difficult accessing
government support. In terms of treatment given to the elderly, the study showed that
most of the children are doing well by returning the help they got from their parents
when they were younger. However, the elderly who are unable to receive that kind of
support are compelled to work out things on their own in order to make ends meet.
From these it was therefore recommended among others that the health insurance
policy needs a review especially with the age designated for the aged. A fund be
created to help the aged in the society and also, religious bodies need to do more to
help the aged with their needs.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Family Resource Management, Faculty of Home Economics Education, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Home Economics) in the University of Education, Winneba.
MARCH, 2021
