Socio-economic challenges of elderly persons in Kasangombe Sub-county, Nakaseke District

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic economic challenges of the elderly persons in Kasangombe sub-county, Nakaseke district. Specifically, it examined the socio-economic challenges of the elderly persons, established the forms of socio-economic support available to the elderly persons and assessed the impact of the of government socio-economic programmes on the elderly person in Kasangombe Sub-County, Nakaseke District. Fundamentally, it was a descriptive study and it employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative approach employed a survey as a technique of data collection while, the qualitative approach employed focus group discussions (FGDs), key-informant interviews as techniques of data collection. Both random and non-random sampling techniques were employed to select a total sample of 287 respondents for the study. The study found that the greatest challenge facing the elderly was inadequate access to health services due limited health facilities, low incomes (poverty) and loneliness. The study also established that there was a minimal impact of social economic government run programmes to the elderly and socio-economic support was mainly performed by household members (home based). Hence, the study recommended the need to economically empower the family so that it can be able to take care for elderly persons. There is also need to introduce community/village monitoring teams to visit the older persons, the elderly persons should be taught about the good nutrition habits and Government and non-governmental organizations should provide build and equip more health facilities in the area and there is also need to introduce community social clubs where the elderly can meet and interact with other community members so as to reduce on the loneliness in their respective households.