The Older Adult Migrant and Support Systems: A Focus on Haatso and Agbogbloshie Yam Markets’ Communities in Ghana

Abstract

Social support is an important resource in old age. However, recent research shows that familial support, which used to be the primary source of care for older adults in Ghana has weakened. Using a qualitative descriptive approach and semistructured interviews, this study explored the nature and sources of social support available to 21 older adults who migrated from the northern part of Ghana to live in Haatso and Agbogbloshie Yam Markets. Findings show that the nature of familial support was mainly material and unstructured, irregular, inadequate, conditional, seasonal, and sometimes completely unavailable. External support systems from the community, religious organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and the government were unavailable, inadequate, or seasonal. The findings underscore the need for families to be educated about the needs of older adults and be empowered to help care for their older relatives.