Abstract:
To explore the perceptions of government stakeholders on
assisted care for the aged in a Metropolis, in Ghana.
Method: This is a qualitative sub-study of a larger study on developing a
model for the care of the aged in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area. The
following questions were put to the key informants: Have you noticed an
increase in the number of the aged in the communities? What are
government plans for the aged? How is the welfare and the caring from
traditional attention, what is your view on the introduction of assisted
care in Ghana? Data was collected through key-informant in-depth
interviews with 10 government stakeholders directly in charge of policy
implementation in the metropolis. Data collection took place over a
period of four months from October 2016 to January 2107. The
interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded and
analyzed.
Findings: There was no preparations made for ageing, government had
plans and strategies for the aged care. Traditional caring provision is
inadequate and the concept of assisted living is regarded with mixed
feelings. Some informant described assisted caring as an unaccepted
practice that should not be encouraged.
Conclusion: Those implementing the policies are not certain of the
feasibility of the programme. Awareness of assisted living should be
promoted so that the community can make their own decisions.
