Challenges:

Private enterprise and the informal sector may perhaps have engaged the elderly more than other sectors (for example, pension fund managers, board engagements, consumer products, etc.). However, products and services tailored to suit the needs of this group are not easily visible and accessible. Additionally, there are few, structured, post-retirement opportunities for meaningful economic engagement, even though the elderly constitute an invaluable resource who can still generate their own income, be financially independent and contribute to socio-economic, national development.

Opportunities:

The opportunities for both demand and supply of products and services to this group are endless. We will use our membership numbers to negotiate for discounts that will subsidize their expenses on food, consumer products, healthcare products and services, etc. There are also myriad opportunities for them to get involved in – income generating, second careers and special projects.

Challenges:

The changing dynamics of life in an emerging economy puts immense pressure on senior citizens who often cannot rely fully on a national social support system. Families are changing, and social exclusion in both benign and menacing ways mean the neglect of the elderly, and consequent mental health challenges that stem from isolation depression, fear and insecurity about the future. There are many lessons to harvest from the elderly, who also serve as excellent conduits for the socialization of citizens, and deepening our sense of community.

Opportunities:

Senior citizens serve as a treasure trove of knowledge; experience and social capital who can help the nation navigate the perils and opportunities of living in the millennial context, through multiple initiatives. As part of our efforts to learn from our elders, we have launched an AGE AUTOBIOGRAPHY PROJECT and AGE NORVI PROGRAM. Through social gathering and home visits, we are able to engage meaningfully senior with the community. We hope to launch AGE CIRCLES – neighborhood cell networks where our members can spend time with each other and watch movies, read books, play games, learn new skills etc.

Challenges:

The healthcare system in countries like Ghana, suffer from multiple deficiencies that render it ineffective for the general populace, especially for senior citizens. Access, affordability, scope of services and quality are erratic at best. Attention to healthcare is paramount, and will improve the well-being of senior citizens, create room for geriatric research and better care, ultimately increasing the life expectancy of Ghanaians, and improving their quality of life.

Opportunities:

With health care being a major bane for people in their old age, we are constantly exploring initiatives such as special insurance cover for seniors. Health care solutions with minimum to no financial burden can go a long way to ensure their health concerns are properly addressed. We are proposing long-term solutions such as mobile health service (Wellness On Wheels) to provide not only health care by a good and caring company to the elderly at home. Other initiatives such as health care screenings and caregiver workshops will provide constant health support to seniors.

Challenges:

Senior citizens, by virtue of their disconnection from technology remain on the fringes of an information revolution. Some jokingly refer to themselves as being “BBC” (i.e., Born Before Computer). There are many opportunities they may miss because they may not be technologically savvy, and we look forward to bridging the gaps.

Opportunities:

There is a great opportunity to help senior citizens understand technology and leverage it to their advantage. There are health gadgets, communication technology (mobile phones, computers, social media platforms etc.) that can be directly beneficial to them. Future initiatives such as the AGE app will be a giant step in promoting technological inclusiveness for seniors.

Challenges:

The educational system has undergone major changes – structure, curriculum, teaching and administrative staff, resources etc. at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary). The weaknesses of the educational system provide a major opportunity for engaging senior citizens, who serve as contributors to the solutions. For some, they will be needed as coaches and teachers in after-school programs; others can serve as mentors, others can make recommendations and help us retrieve institutional memory and knowledge, through their own writings and oral tradition.

Opportunities:

Adults would benefit from adult learning opportunities – not just for their primary or personal benefit, but also to the benefit of their families, as they read to grandchildren and are able to engage with others in new ways. Some may serve as coaches and teachers in after-school programs; others can serve as mentors, others can make recommendations and help us retrieve institutional memory and knowledge, through their own writings and oral narration. There is also a major opportunity to investigate issues that affect senior citizens through academic research and generate data that can yield solutions, and we have a wonderful opportunity to create careers in geriatric care.

Challenges:

Changes in our environment can have negative implications for senior citizens – unclean environments can have a major negative impact on health, and can be costly, just as the lack of green spaces for adult recreation is costly in terms of general health and wellness. Our built environment also consists of user-unfriendly facilities that do not provide easy access to senior citizens.

Opportunities:

There is a major opportunity to include the voices of senior citizens in finding environmental solutions to problems relevant to the elderly. There is also a lot to learn from senior citizens in terms of historical, indigenous solutions to environmental and community health challenges, using natural remedies, herbal solutions etc. We plan on advocacy that challenges stakeholders in our built environment to adjust their products to meet the needs of the elderly.

Challenges:

With the process of ageing comes the difficulty to handle legal matters and issues as one did before. In a legal system as sometimes cumbersome as that in our part of the world, unresolved legal battles are daunting especially for the elderly. There are few well-defined laws and policies specific to senior citizens. This obscurity makes room for the abuse of seniors in myriad forms.

Opportunities:

There is a great opportunity to provide senior citizens with pro bono and subsidized legal services to allow them perfectly settle lifelong legal battles as well as issues pertaining end of service benefits, insurance claims, amongst other legal matters. Policy workshops will also allow members to get their concerns heard by the right people, and eventually be included in the decision-making processes. AGE is committed to advocating for the rights of older persons.