Van der Geest, 2002

Ghana [37]

To explore the ideas and practices of care of elderly people in a rural Kwahu community of Ghana.

Purposive sampling 35 aged

Respect and reciprocity are crucial issues in relation to care or lack of care. Care given to the elderly is governed by a ‘silent bookkeeping’ of give-and-take. Both elderly and young people affirm that respect and care depend on reciprocity. Those who worked hard for their children can be sure that they will receive respect and care from them.

Not seen in this document

Van der Geest 1998

Ghana [33]

To explore and describe the meaning of success in the Kwawu-Tafo.

Purposive sampling aged 35

A house is the concretisation of societal kindred and the opinions associated with them. Not least, a house is a status symbol. Building a house is building a powerful symbol. A house is something to which people assign some of the most cherished virtues in their culture: respect, love, memory, ‘home’ and beauty. Building a house is one of the most vital successes in a person’s life. It provides elderly people with respect and security.

Objectives not clearly spelt out

Lindsey et al., 2002

Botswana [28]

To explore strategies that might support family caregivers and the actions that could be undertaken to implement these suggestions.

Convenient sampling, 70 participants – 56 aged

Older women reported feeling overwhelmed with the extent and variety of tasks they perform. They reported feeling tired, undernourished, unhappy, and often neglected their own health. Young girls also missed school and were sexually and physically abused, sexually exploited, and miserable. In addition, they experienced poverty, social isolation, stigma, psychological distress and a lack of basic caregiving skills. Researchers recommended improved services and care to community health-based care (CHBC) teams and to national government.

Not found

Booker 2015

South Africa (SA) [35]

To highlight lessons learned on differences and similarities in ageing and care of older adults in the United States and South Africa; provide recommendations on how to advance gerontological nursing education in SA,

An international service-learning project

Care of older adults in SA is very different from that in the US, Nurses must recognise these differences and provide culturally conventional care. This service-learning skill also proved the need for gerontological nursing education in SA, Based on this, recommendations were provided on how to establish and promote gerontological nursing education in SA,

Not found

Bohman et al., 2011

South Africa [27]

To highlight South Africans’ experiences of being old and of care and caring in a transitional age.

Purposive sampling 12 aged

The study showed two intertwined themes: reflections on life and ubuntu (meaning orientation towards others). There were similarities and differences in caring, possibly due to societal and cultural differences. There is a shortage of formal care for older people living in poor conditions in Southern Africa, giving rise to discussion on the need for a contextualized development of geriatric care.

Not found

Quantitative Reports

Adebowale et al 2012

Nigeria [9]

To determine the prevalence and identify predictors of elderly well-being in a rural community in Nigeria.

Purposive sampling 1217 aged

Mean age of the sample was 72.3 ± 8.4 years with majority (65.2%) being women; 49% of respondents had poor well-being, which deteriorates with age but is improved with high level of education. Identified predictors of poor well-being were age, children ever born, marital status, and financial support from children, children visit by gender, aged living with children, and having enough money to meet daily needs. Elderly who did not receive any financial assistance from their children and those who were separated were more likely to experience poor well-being than those, respectively, who receive such assistance and those who never married. Likelihood of poor well-being was lower among elderly who were living alone and those who didn’t have any of their children living with them. However, a high proportion of the elderly in the community had poor well-being.

Not seen in this document