Implications of Health Challenges of the Aged on Household Wellbeing in Adentan Municipality

Abstract

The cross-sectional survey investigated the implications of health challenges of the aged on household‟s wellbeing in the Adentan Municipality. It specifically sought to ascertain the effect of health challenges of the aged on their households ‟finances, household‟s social life and on the health of caregivers. A sample of 80 caregivers and the aged family members they care for were selected from Adentan and Amrahia to constitute the sample for the study. The analysis took a descriptive form which revealed that the finances of households with aged who have health challenges are over stretched. This is attributed to lack of contribution from other family members and medical care of the aged among others. Caregivers do not have the best of social life as result of assuming responsibility of taking care of the aged family members since their worship lives; entertainment and fellowship with friends have been affected on assuming the responsibility of caring for their aged family members with health challenges. Majority of caregivers describe their health status as poorer since assuming the responsibility of caring for the aged family members with health challenges which can be attributed the emotional stress they undergo most of the time and the demanding nature of the caregiving. It is recommended that family care givers for the aged be given some form of formal training. Institutions to train individuals in gerontological services should be established to help families in need of such services.