Page 20 www.ijiras.com | Email: contact@ijiras.com International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS) Volume 6 Issue 4, April 2019 ISSN: 2394-4404 Exploring Culturally-Relevant Interventions For The Care Of The Elderly In Apam, Ghana F. Akosua Agyemang Fredwill Godwill Amissah Department of Social work, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana I. PREFACE Globally, the population of persons 60 years and above is rising at a rate of 3.2% each year, and this trend is expected to continue for the next few years (Ghana Statistical Service [GSS], 2013); and as predicted by the World Health Organisation (2002) "we soon will have more elderly people than children and more people at extreme old age than ever before". The significant improvement in healthcare, coupled with the reduction in diseases and low death rates, following the flourish of science and technology, has led to people enjoying longer life span (Ayete-Nyampong, 2015). Similarly, Africa is also expected to have a proportional rise in the number of elderly persons 60 and above (Ayete- Nyampong, 2015). The number of elderly persons in Ghana has also been increasing at a faster rate than it is happening in the developed parts of the world; and the country is tipped to witness the most rapid rise in the population of older adults in the West African sub-region (Ayete-Nyampong, 2015). Meanwhile, research worldwide has proven that as one advances in years, his or her socio-economic conditions change (Agyemang, 2014). According to Agyemang (2014), the “reduced capacity for income generation and growing risk of serious illness increase the likelihood of the elderly to fall into poverty, regardless of the individual‟s original economic status, unless comprehensive and effective social policies are put in place”. This study therefore, looked at the plausible interventions that could be enacted to enhance the quality of life of elderly in Ghana and help them to live satisfying lives, taking into consideration their living conditions, coping mechanisms and the various issues that affect their well-being. II. LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter attempts to analyze the family support and care of the elderly, and how social change has impacted care of the elderly. The summary and conclusions of this literature would form the basis for the field study. Abstract: The world’s elderly population is exploding and its ripples are being felt in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, what is worrying is that this elderly explosion is happening at a time where there has not been enough resources and commitment from successive governments to ensure the well-being of its elderly population, leaving them susceptible to the vicissitudes of life. The main objective of this study was to explore the possible interventions that can be employed in the bid to ensure the promotion of the wellbeing of the elderly in Ghana. Apam, a peri-urban coastal town in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region of Ghana was selected as the research site. A qualitative research approach was adopted and data was collected from 20 elderly participants. The study revealed that religious affiliation is an important mechanism by which the elderly cope with the challenges they encounter. Interventions such as social protection schemes for the elderly persons, therapeutic recreation and setting up day-care centres as well as appropriate housing arrangements for seniors should be put in place to meet the wide range of challenges that the elderly face. Keywords: Elderly, Interventions, Care, Elder friendliness, Cultural relevance, Social capital, elderly persons, Ghana