Church-Related Social Support and the Health and Wellbeing of the Elderly in Achimota, Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

Abstract

Background: Societies in sub-Saharan Africa have always depended on religion as an important resource in addressing matters of health and wellbeing, especially, in addressing various healthcare challenges. The aim of this study is to explore how church-related social support contributes to the health and well-being of the elderly in Achimota, Accra Metropolitan District. Methodology: Three churches within Achimota were purposively selected and the elderly above 60 years and above were purposively sampled. Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews were used to collect the data. All recorded data (audio and written) was transcribed verbatim and coded using Nvivo, a Qualitative Data Analysis computer software. Themes and concepts were created, named, and reviewed using Thematic analysis method. Results: The results revealed that the church provides the elderly with spiritual support, financial support, health support, visitation, material support, and socialization support. The results further revealed that, these types of support made the elderly/aged feel better, comforted, cared for. It also brought them happiness, hope, helped them recover early, and refreshed them. The result also revealed that they wanted more of visitation, financial assistance, health support and material support from the church, members and leaders. Conclusion: The study showed that the church provided the elderly/aged with some social support and those supports elicited positive emotions such as joy, happiness, hope, relief. It also solved a need like financial constraint, hunger, loneliness.