Financial Sources and Health Seeking Behaviour among the Elderly in Ghana

Abstract

The elderly population is gradually expanding globally including Ghana. Ghana has a National Health Insurance Scheme which makes limited provisions for the elderly. In addition, the scheme has not gained wide coverage. The essence of this study was to explore the various sources of finance for the healthcare besides the National Health Insurance Scheme and investigate the implications it had on their healthcare consumption. This study used data from the World Health Organization’s Study on Adult Health and Ageing (SAGE), Wave 2 for Ghana. A quantitative research design was employed in carrying out this study. The study found that age and other factors such as job sector employer, current working status, payment types, community and government support, current income of household members, insurance, borrowing from other financial institutions and additional benefits influence use of formal healthcare by the elderly (p<0.05). Based on the analysis of a representative individual and household survey, it is recommended that, post-retirement labour arrangements are implemented and a culture of saving for health is emphasized and promoted widely.