The roles and capacities of social workers in the lives of older adults seeking healthcare and their caregivers in Ghana

Abstract

As Ghana's older population increases in number and proportion, the social and healthcare needs of older adults and their caregivers become more critical highlighting the relevance of social workers’ contribution in assisting older adults and their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to explore social workers’ contributions, discussed against the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Policy on Ageing and Older Person framework. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach making use of semi‐structured interviews to collect information from eight social workers at the Social Welfare Unit in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Themes and codes were developed from the interviews using thematic analysis, employing In‐vivo and descriptive coding, and N‐Vivo v12 as a management tool. Analysis of interviews revealed three interrelated themes; (a) “We provide it accordingly”: Talking about their contributions as systematic, (b) “I think we can do more”: Talking about their contributions as insufficient, and (c) “Our efforts are being hampered”: Complaints of inadequate resources for working with older adults and their caregivers. The study offers areas of opportunities for social workers per the IFSW policy framework to reflect and examine their current knowledge and skill to address the challenges population ageing presents in Ghana. While social workers contribute towards helping older adults seeking healthcare and their caregivers, their needs cannot be ignored. The findings draw attention to effective policies and programs that can provide social workers with the needed resources to be independent and be able to devise novel approaches unique to older adults and their caregivers.

Functional difficulties and toileting among older adults in Ghana: evidence from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Ghana Wave 1

“…Since social workers are mandated to ensure the health and social needs of people, including older adults, they can explore their role on helping to maximise functional ability in old age and help disseminate the findings to older adults, their care-givers and families. Evidence in Ghana shows that social workers express interest in devising strategies to support older adults (Awuviry-Newton et al ., 2020), it therefore requires the state's support to help social workers achieve their aim. Moreover, public health professionals could work with communities to identify the risk factors that can reduce functional ability among older adults.…”

Using ethics of care as the theoretical lens to understand lived experiences of caregivers of older adults experiencing functional difficulties

“…Currently, the social protection programs, which includes Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty in Ghana do not adequately meet the needs of eligible older adults, let alone factoring the needs of caregivers of older adults. Social workers can be very helpful in developing programs that can help caregivers achieve their needs [ 74 ]. In this regards, a respite care systems can be instituted to support caregivers in caring for their ageing parents.…”

The Role of Non-Formal Education in Elderly Schools and The Implementation of Lifelong Learning

“…One of the efforts is carried out by developing elderly institutions at the city, sub-district, and village levels. The organization of the Elderly School is to support the elderly institutions and ensure the continuity of the empowerment program so that the elderly are increasingly healthy and independent (Awuviry-Newton et al, 2021). From school, getting skills to be independent, accessing health services, and building community networks and their existence are increasingly important.…”