This book explores health and care of the older population in Africa, focusing on policy and programmatic responses, gaps and future challenges related to health and care across the continent.
The first part of the book sets the scene for the volume, profiling the demographic and health situation of the elderly in Africa. It also provides an overview of the various models of care in Africa, looking in particular at the family care model, which constitutes the main source of support for the elderly in Africa. Part 2 provides case studies from across the continent to explore varying forms of elder care as well as the health challenges facing the elderly in the different contexts. The final part considers key aspects related to older person’s experience of social pensions, which are widely recognised as a potentially powerful strategy of meeting the needs of older persons..
Identifying lessons regarding African-centric models of care, as well as reflections on the structural and policy challenges that are likely to confront countries across the continent as they strive to meet the specific needs of increasingly ageing populations, this book will be of interest to scholars of health and social care of the elderly.
1. Introduction
Pranitha Maharaj
2. Ageing in Africa: Patterns and Trends
Shanaaz Rademeyer and Pranitha Maharaj
3. Long-term care for the elderly in sub-Saharan Africa: An analysis of existing models
Divane Nzima and Pranitha Maharaj
4. Family and Kin Care of Elders in Sub-Saharan Africa
Margaret Ellen Adamek, Samson Chane, and Messay Gebremariam Kotecho
5. Access to Health and Healthcare among Older Persons in Uganda
Annet Nankwanga and Stella Neema
6. Family care in poor urban settings: Perspectives and experiences of elderly care recipients in Accra, Ghana
Frank Kyei-Arthur, Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Delali Badasu, and Deborah Atobrah
7. ‘Growing old is not fun’: Experiences of ageing in rural Zimbabwe
Divane Nzima and Pranitha Maharaj
8. Crying out for assistance: The elderly in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Ganzamungu Zihindula, Pranitha Maharaj and Shanaaz Rademeyer
9. Social Pensions and Health and Wellbeing: A Focus on South Africa
Margaret Ralston and Enid Schatz
Biography
Pranitha Maharaj is a Professor in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.