THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION ON THE SOCIOECONOMIC WELL BEING OF THE ELDERLY IN THE ADA EAST DISTRICT, GHANA

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the impact of demographic transition on the socio-economic wellbeing of the elderly in the Ada East District, Ghana. The study employed descriptive cross sectional study design using simple random sampling technique to select the respondents. A sample of 250 respondents was used to gather data for the study. Primary data collection was basically through administered questionnaire and in-depth interviews and was analyzed using basically descriptive and inferential statistics involving mainly frequency distributions and cross tabulations. . From the results, respondents who were educated (at least had primary education) were 5 times more likely to have one form of coping strategy to improve their wellbeing as compared to those who were not educated. It was also established that there was relationship between marital status of respondents and frequency of visitors at respondents home at the study area (P >0.000). Findings again revealed that respondents had ever suffered one form of abuse or the other. The study recommends that intensive public education on the psychological effects of abuse, neglect or social isolation on the elderly should be intensified at the study area.