Prevalence and determinants of care needs among older people in Ghana

Abstract

Introduction Given the longevity noticed among older people in Ghana, and the potential occurrence of functional disability in later years of life, it has become essential to understand their care needs. This study examined the care needs in daily tasks and associated factors in Ghana, following the World Health Organisation International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of 400 older people from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Southern Ghana. Care need was assessed by one question; “Do you regularly need help with daily tasks because of long-term illness, disability, or frailty?” Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the association between care need and independent variables based on the WHO-ICF conceptual framework. Results Majority of the sample (81%), particularly women (54%) reported needing care in daily tasks. Per the WHO-ICF conceptual framework, functional disability—activity variable, (OR = 1.07 95%CI: 1.05–1.09, p<0.001), and absence of government support—an environmental factor, (OR = 3.96 95%CI: 1.90–8.25, p<0.001) were associated with care need. Conclusions The high prevalence of care needs among older people may offer an indication that majority of older people in Ghana could benefit from long-term care services. Functional disability and the absence of government support are the major issues that need to be prioritised in addressing the increased demand for care related to performing daily tasks among older people in Ghana.

The Older Adult Migrant and Support Systems: A Focus on Haatso and Agbogbloshie Yam Markets’ Communities in Ghana

“…The study findings also suggest the lack of external support from community, government, and religious organizations. This finding is consistent with literature highlighting the nonexistence of welfare support for the older adult in Ghanaian communities (Awuviry-Newton et al, 2022). The lack of governmental support is evidenced by the ineffectiveness of the modern formal welfare system for older adults, such as national aging policy, national protection strategy.…”

Exploring the Intersectionality of Place and Gender Among Older Adults in Ghana: An Examination of Women’s Disability Disadvantage

“…As demonstrated, the intersectional complexity of urban residence, womanhood, older adulthood, and disability provide unique challenges to “aging in place” ( Rogers et al, 2020 ). Therefore, it is imperative that Ghana’s civic and governmental bodies promote long-term care (LTC) service provisions ( Awuviry-Newton et al, 2022a , 2022b ) to hamper the social and economic vulnerabilities that often accompany widowhood.…”

“…However, we observed that urban women are especially at risk of having difficulty moving around the home. In response, further inquiry on urban women’s mobility disadvantage, such as additional housing conditions and LTC needs ( Awuviry-Newton et al, 2022a , 2022b ), should be explored.…”

“…Previous research using SAGE Ghana data has found that women report greater rates of ADL disability than men ( Amegbor et al, 2018 ), especially those with multiple chronic conditions ( Darkwah et al, 2022 ). Older Ghanaian women also report greater care needs than their men counterparts ( Awuviry-Newton et al, 2022a , 2022b ). Gender norms in Ghana oftentimes restrict older women to household spaces where they are ascribed to domestic roles ( Braimah & Rosenberg, 2021 ); also, older Ghanaian women report discrimination and abuse more often than their men counterparts.…”

Investigation and Evaluation of a Transport Index for a Healthy Ageing Society

“…A well-organized social environment allows elderly people to develop or retain their ability to meet their own everyday needs, maintain their social connections, and contribute to society independently (WHO, 2020). Ensuring a convenient and comprehensive transport network is an urgent necessity to meet such goals (Awuviry-Newton et al, 2022).…”