Health and Care in Old Age in Africa

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.