This book explores health and care of the older population in Africa, focusing on policy and programmatic responses, gaps and future challenges related to health and care across the continent. The first part of the book sets the scene for the volume, profiling the demographic and health situation of the elderly in Africa. It also provides an overview of the various models of care in Africa, looking in particular at the family care model, which constitutes the main source of support for the elderly in Africa. Part 2 provides case studies from across the continent to explore varying forms of elder care as well as the health challenges facing the elderly in the different contexts. The final part considers key aspects related to older person’s experience of social pensions, which are widely recognised as a potentially powerful strategy of meeting the needs of older persons.. Identifying lessons regarding African-centric models of care, as well as reflections on the structural and policy challenges that are likely to confront countries across the continent as they strive to meet the specific needs of increasingly ageing populations, this book will be of interest to scholars of health and social care of the elderly.

Population aging is a matter of global concern. It often occurs in tandem with changes in the health profile of the population. In Africa, many countries are already facing a high burden of communicable diseases. However, as more and more children survive childhood and move on to adult years and old age they are also more likely to experience health problems associated with the aging process. Population aging in Africa is occurring in the context of high levels of poverty, changing family structures, an immense disease burden, fragile health systems and weak or poorly managed government institutions. This book shows that aging is likely to lead to increased social and economic demands for the continent. However, most national governments in Africa have not begun to address the issue of how to respond effectively to the needs of the older population. This will require a better understanding of the socio-economic and demographic situation of the older population in Africa. This book fills the gaps that exist by exploring the social realities of population aging in Africa. It also focuses on the policy and programmatic responses, gaps and future challenges related to aging across the continent.

"Geriatric medicine is generally defined as medical care for adults aged 65 years and older. In Africa and in many developing countries, where the average life expectancy is less than 65 years, medical care of the older adult is still being defined and is in its infancy stages. There are also disparities in health and health care of older adults of African origin in most countries across the world. The aim of this book is to provide a clinical practice resource for physicians and allied health professionals, as they deliver clinical care for older adults of African descent all over the world. It is not intended to be a comprehensive textbook for geriatric medicine. Instead, we focus on common health care issues and unique cultural characteristics that often impact health care utilization in this vulnerable subset of older adults. Chapter authors are medical experts from across several continents, with extensive training and experience in providing medical care for older adults of African descent"--

In sub-Saharan Africa, older people make up a relatively small fraction of the total population and are supported primarily by family and other kinship networks. They have traditionally been viewed as repositories of information and wisdom, and are critical pillars of the community but as the HIV/AIDS pandemic destroys family systems, the elderly increasingly have to deal with the loss of their own support while absorbing the additional responsibilities of caring for their orphaned grandchildren. Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa explores ways to promote U.S. research interests and to augment the sub-Saharan governments' capacity to address the many challenges posed by population aging. Five major themes are explored in the book such as the need for a basic definition of "older person," the need for national governments to invest more in basic research and the coordination of data collection across countries, and the need for improved dialogue between local researchers and policy makers. This book makes three major recommendations: 1) the development of a research agenda 2) enhancing research opportunity and implementation and 3) the translation of research findings.

This collection of in-depth ethnographic analysis examines the impact of local and global transformations on the care, or lack of care, older people receive in Sub-Saharan Africa. This volume provides the pan-African evidence and analysis needed to move forward debates about how to address the long term care needs of this vulnerable population. Case studies from different regions of the continent (southern, central, east and west Africa) examine formal and informal care, including inter- and intra-generational care, retirement homes, care in the context of poverty, HIV/AIDS and migration.

In this book, Rev. Dr. Samuel AyeteNyampong has revealed his passion for the good quality of life for the ageing population in Africa and the development of Pastoral Gerontology courses in Theological Institutions across Africa. This book is a resource material for building the capacity of church leaders in the provision of care and support for the ageing population in Africa. All who read this book will find it inspiring, full of deep thoughts, and a challenge to the church and state, thereby provoking sensitivity to the needs of the ageing population in Africa. This book is highly recommended for church leaders, theological students, students of Gerontology and to all who have a passion to promote the quality of life of the ageing population.

Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.