People’s Perception Of Ageing; The Challenge Of The Older Adults

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

Abstract

This research project examines the People’s perception of ageing in Abak Local Government Area and the consequent challenges facing the older adults. It asserts that, as a result of the perception of the people toward the older adults, the challenges posed on them and the negligence inflicted on them is an additional limitation to them. The study was carried out in selected villages (Ikwek Afaha Obong, Ikot Ikpe, Utu-Abak, Ediene-Abak), all representing the four clans in Abak Local Government Area. A qualitative research method was adopted hence, interview schedule and field observation were the research instruments that were employed in collecting data. This was to enable the respondents to freely express themselves where necessary and regulate their responses where applicable. Tables were utilized in analyzing the data collected. It was discovered that, the older adults from 65 years and above are on the increase in Abak Local Government Area. This increase in the older adults’ population comes with the increase in health challenges. It also observes that in several homes where these older adults are residing, adequate attention is not given to them. However, on account of this, it is recommended that, attention at various levels, individual, family, community, religious organizations and government, be given to them. Also, government should always consider the older adults in their various policies.

Title Page
Declaration
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
List of Tables
Abstract

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Limitation of the Study
1.8 Definition of Terms

Chapter Two

Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

2.1 Literature Review
2.1.1 Conceptualization of Ageing and the Older Adults
2.1.2 Individuals’/People’s Perception of Ageing in Contemporary Societies
2.1.3 The Role of the Family Members in the Perception and Care of Older Adults
2.1.4 Challenges of the Aged in Contemporary Societies
2.1.5 Measure of Addressing the Challenges Facing the Older Adults
2.1.6 Perception of Religious Institutions towards the Older Adults
2.1.7 Government Policy and Intervention Programmes for Older Adults
2.2 Theoretical Framework

Chapter Three

Research Methodology and Design

3.1 Introduction and Design
3.2 Population
3.3 Sampling Technique and Sample Size
3.4 Instrumentation
3.5 Validation of the Instrument
3.6 Sources of Data
3.7 Field Observation
3.8 Ethnographic Information of Abak Local Government Area

Chapter Four

Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussion

4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1.2 Presentation of Data to Answer the Research Questions
4.2 Discussion of Findings

Chapter Five

Summary, Recommendation and Conclusion

5.1 Summary of the Findings
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Conclusion
References
Appendix

List of Tables

Table 4.1: Showing Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents
Table 4.1.2: Perception of Ageing by the Respondents
Table 3: Assessment of the perception of the Family Members towards the Aged by the Respondents
Table 4: Respondents Perception of the Role of Religious Institution
Table 5: Respondents Assessment of Governmental Responsiveness to their Socio-economic Needs

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

The concept of ageing is a universal phenomenon that cuts across all facets of living things as a natural phenomenon. Atchley (1980) define ageing as a broad concept that includes physical, psychological, mental changes that occur in our bodies.

The perception of ageing and the older adults vary from one society to another. While some societies has positive perceptions of ageing, the other societies has negative perceptions. Ageing in African society is the concept that traditionally invokes the image of respect, reverence and the knowledge that is passed down from one generation to another (Abanyam, 2013). There is a general agreement that African elders have traditionally been treated with great respect in their families and the community. This tradition extends from known customs of pre-slavery civilization on African families and kinship groups. The ability of the elderly to recall cultural historical beliefs, legends, war and important historical events in family or clan has been especially treated as immense contributions.

The elderly Ibo of East Nigeria still enjoy reverences in their communities. The beliefs that the elders are closest to the ancestors help to contribute to the respect for the living elderly. Some societies provide health care for elders, social support, family care, government formulate policies and laws that protect the rights of elders; churches and religions give their support by providing medical day care program, visiting, shopping, meals and outreach program and they wished they lived forever Arth (1968).

In our contemporary society, the image of ageing becomes tainted. Some global societies that had great respect to their old population has now approached their old age with disdain and intolerance. The Fulani People of Africa move older people to the very edge of their communities – indeed very near to their future graves. They are already seen as socially dead and are held in low regard. In some developing nations in Africa, the older adults are branded witches and are persecuted, isolated and rejected Macionis and Plummer (2005).

Growing old in contemporary society is a challenge. Contempt and disrespect stem from the aspect of ageing against one’s will. The older people are being considered as being broken down, slow to work and virtually worthless individuals. This is due to urbanization, monetization, and globalization (Cohen 1994).

Modernization, industrialization and global influences have brought about certain changes in some societies especially in the south east and south-south zone of Nigeria. The western culture has greatly influenced the perception towards the older adults in Nigeria. Abiodun (2007) opines that the access to formal education has led to a reduction in the power and prestige given to the accumulated wisdom of the older adults. The direct linkage of educational attainment with occupation and income has altered the economic status of the older adults. The mutual obligation of the extended family system are being systematically eroded by the increasing emphasis on material success and individualism. The search for greener pastures in the urban cities has resulted in the neglect and abandonment of the older adults in rural communities without any form of care. The irregularity of gratuity and pension payment have exacerbated a care challenge for the elders. Thus, some communities without regard for elders subject them to all manner of suffering, human right abuses, domestic and verbal violence.

In Akwa Ibom generally and in Abak in particular, over the last three decades the older adults were valued and respected but in recent times there seems to be disrespect and abuses such as the killing of the older adults during political activities, exploitation of the older adults, neglect during times of sickness. With all these abuses on the older adults, they perceive ageing as a period of regret, torture and shame.

Apart from that, there are communities in Abak Local Government Area that have no social infrastructure such as portable water, electricity, health centre. This makes life extremely difficult and unbearable for widows and widowers especially between the ages of 65 and above. The older adults often suffer from sickness such as Arthritis, Heart disease, stroke, hypertension, Diabetes, cancers, blindness, deafness and schizophrenia. Their life is commonly associated with “fall”.

This study therefore is concerned with investigating the perception of the people of Abak Local Government Area towards the older adults. The older adults here include people from 65 years and above this is because old age has been commonly defined as beginning at the age of sixty-five (65) years (Flesch, 1986). In Nigeria, the Retirement Age Harmonization Act of 2012 puts the retirement age of Judicial officers and academic staff of tertiary institutions at 70 and 65 years respectively…(Maji, 2014).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Growing old in the olden days in African society was quite different from what is obtainable in contemporary African society. In the traditional African society, olden people were highly esteemed because of the important roles they played by helping to integrate the society, preserve its cultural values, transmit knowledge and skills, settle disputes and educated the young. People in the traditional African society holds positive views about older people. They got the best available foods, drinks, and their judgment were highly valued and respected. (Abanyam, 2013). In fact, Mboto (2002) claims that the word Senator is a Latin word for the older people.

Giddens (2009) indicates that in traditional societies’, older people were often accorded a great deal of respect. Among cultures that include age-grades, they had the final say over matters of importance to the community. According to Asiyambola (2008), the role of elderly in nation building at the various stages of their life can not be overemphasized. They are the custodians of culture and traditions, mediators during conflict resolution and contributors in enforcing peace in their various communities. Today, the traditional institution responsible for the care-giving is being dismantled. This institutions, which is extended family is being dismantled and consequently, the ageing population is now facing a number of problems. These problems have brought some challenges to older adults. (Oluwabamide 2007, John 2010).

By neglecting the older adults, contemporary African societies have missed out on the wise saying which teaches ideas such as the evil of jealousy, selfishness, wickedness, hypocrisy and greed while inculcating virtues such as love, kindness, gentleness impartiality, fairness or justice and humility (Dzurgar, 2012:106). This was aimed at equipping the younger ones with the necessary skills and attitudes that would help younger people to function effectively in the society (Ering, 2008 and Abamyam, 2013). This was the case in all African societies

However, the problem is the perception of the children and adults about ageing and the older adults. Contemporary societies have successfully carried on the tradition of impertinence in many aspects by forcefully pushing and neglecting the older people out of the workforce as well as the community display of irreverence. This perception has been carried on by raising young people with negative perception of growing old or becoming old.

This perception has alarming misconceptions that remain as imaginary study to young people. It portray a negative image and hope from the generations that are moving next to the stage. Ageing has been linked to various problems ranging from maltreatment, ageism, neglect and exploitation. This is a problem to the ‘graying population’ and the society at large. It is therefore the task of this study to investigate the perception of ageing by the older adults.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To meet the general objective, the study will focus on the following specific objectives:

To investigate the people perception of ageing in Abak Local Government Area.
To look at the role of the family members to the older adults in their families in Abak Local Government Area.
To assess the perception of religious institutions towards the older adults in Abak Local Government Area
To investigate government effort in assisting older adults in Abak Local Government Area.
To make recommendations toward ameliorating the challenges faced by the older adults.

1.4 Research Questions

Based on the problems to be addressed in the study, some questions are asked to direct both the thought and line of actions of the researcher.

The probable research question here includes;

How do the people/individual perceive ageing in Abak Local Government Area?
Does the role of the family members encourage the older adults in Abak Local Government Area?
Does the perception of religious institution supportive of the older adults or ageing persons in Abak Local Government Area?
To what extent has the government make provision for the socio-economic upkeep of the older adults in Abak Local Government Area?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is specifically concerned with knowing the perception of people about ageing and the older adults. It is to bring to the knowledge of members of society that ageing is not a period of torture, shame, regret, maltreatment, violence, abuses, neglect and a curse but a phase of life.

This study is significant to the government to give recommendation on the treatment and care for the old population. This study will as well assist government to formulate policies that will protect the rights and privileges of the older adults.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study is strictly concerned with the investigation of the people’s perception towards the older adults in Abak Local Government Area.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

With the combination of various issues affecting the needs of the older adults, there has been a significant impact upon the ability of these aged people to ensure a sustainable means of meeting their health and other social needs. In other words the limitation of the study include: Lack of sufficient fund to extend the research to a wider area of data. Time was another constraint.

Also, the issue of interpreting objectively the data collected without being emotional or biased was a big challenge because most of the respondents were unable to express their opinions effectively in English Language thereby resorting to their local dialects.

Another limitation to this study was that, most of the results and conclusions from this study have been gotten from four (4) major villages in the various clans of Abak and then used to generalised on the other villages which could not be studied because of time and fund.

One can not remove the issue of self bias from the research participant who also has older adults in his family that are also suffering from the same fate. In essence, the research participant’s emotional feelings can be a factor in the result analysis, which is a confounding variable that can affect the result.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Ageism:

Prejudice and discrimination against the elderly

Ageing:

Atchley (1980) defines ageing as a broad concept that includes physical changes that occur in our bodies over adult life; psychological changes in our minds, and in our mental capacities, and social change in how we are viewed what we can expect or what is expected of us.

Aged:

Being of advanced age; old.

Perception:

A belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things are seen.

The Older adults:

The older adults are referred to as an elderly or older person.

Chapter Five

Summary, Recommendation and Conclusion

5.1 Summary of the Findings

This study is designed to examine the people’s perception of ageing in Abak local government area of Akwa Ibom state: The challenge of the older adults. The objective of the study was to investigate the individual perception of ageing in Abak Local Government Area, to look at the role of the family members to the older adults in their families. To look at the perception of religious institutions towards the older adults, to investigate how governmental agencies make provision for the socio-economic upkeep of the aged in Abak Local Government Area.

To achieve the above, the Disengagement and Activity theories were employed to explain and analyze the study. Disengagement theory explains that as people age, social interaction decreases. Decreased interaction takes place at least in part because society withdraws from the older persons sometime through mandatory retirement from active service. Activity theory is of the view that engagement on social interactions and daily activities lead to the highest satisfaction in later life.

This study adopted the descriptive research design, hence the data were sourced from primary and secondary sources as well as field observation which include published works, monograph of unpublished works, newspapers, magazines, journals; field observation. Cluster sampling technique was adopted for the study. The interview schedule was also adopted as a principal instrument for data collection.

Data presentation, analysis and discussion were to address the research questions. Field exercise shows descriptive statistics. The total respondents were 150 in the sample population.

5.2 Recommendations

In view of the findings of this study the following recommendations are made:

Government should organize awareness programmes from time to time in order to sensitize the people on the need to shun abuse, neglect and discrimination against the older adults.
The government should revisit the pension scheme. Payment of pension and gratuity should be regular
The government should design a program that will take care of people who did not work in formal organization but have contributed to the development of society especially the farmers and artisans. This program should also include provision of free health care services, diagnosis, free food; homes for the aged.
Social amenities and infrastructures should be provided for the aged. These infrastructures should be sited close to the aged.
The policy makers and lawmakers should formulate policies that will protect the rights and privileges of the aged and prevent them from all forms of abuses.
A platform should be created by chiefs together with opinion leaders, private organizations and the government to sensitize people over unfair discrimination and poor attitude towards the aged.
The older adults who are still strong should be used for one employment or the other to keep them active.
Elders should have their turn to train the youngest generations who are coming after them therefore: influences them positively to move on with respect for human kind and human dignity.

5.3 Conclusion

Ageing is a phase of life. The People’s perception of ageing and the aged directly influences their psychological well being. Research as shown that positive beliefs about aging lead to feeling younger and negative attitude make people feel regretful and ashamed.

Traditionally, the older persons are heads of the family and the extended clan that dominates the communities. They represent their families in the council of Elders meeting where decisions are taken to regulate and promote the general interest of citizens and to administer the affairs of the communities. They are known to be leaders and seen as custodians of society’s treasures, upholders of history, custodians of folklores, cultural values, ancestral values and wisdom. They settle disputes and conflicts arising from members of the family, based on their position, skill, knowledge, wisdom vision and experience acquired along the journey to old age.

The older adults have their roles they play in every society as mentioned above. These roles are relevant in the development of society. If they live longer and carry out these duties and if the family, community, religious organizations and the government at the Local, State and Federal levels have a positive perception and disposition towards them.

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People’s Perception Of Ageing; The Challenge Of The Older Adults

Abstract

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Introduction

Chapter Two

Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

Chapter Three

Research Methodology and Design

Chapter Four

Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussion

Chapter Five

Summary, Recommendation and Conclusion

List of Tables

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Limitation of the Study

1.8 Definition of Terms

Ageism:

Ageing:

Aged:

Perception:

The Older adults:

Chapter Five

Summary, Recommendation and Conclusion

5.1 Summary of the Findings

5.2 Recommendations

5.3 Conclusion

Students Review

List of Related Works