“If your parents help you grow your teeth; you help them lose theirs”: Family Support for the Aged in Yamoransa, Ghana

Abstract

Using the hierarchical compensatory model of social care, the study assessed the material and instrumental family support available to the aged in Yamoransa. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 153 respondents aged 60 years and above using the simple random sampling technique. It was observed that the traditional system of support for the elderly was still functional with families providing the aged with both material and instrumental support. The results also showed that females receive more assistance on material support thanmales; but males receive more instrumental support than females. Both males and females intimated that the support they received was inadequate. To ensure a reliable care system for the elderly family and community members should reinforce the Ghanaian tradition of filial piety