Coping strategies of the elderly people in urban communities: The Study of Mutundwe Rubaga

Abstract

The major objective of this study was to find out the effect of copying strategies of elderly people living in Uganda. The specific objectives are; to find out the challenges faced by the elderly people, to find out the role of the community towards the living conditions of the elderly people and to find out measures to the problems of the elderly people. The researcher used survey research design to conduct the study with sample size of 52 respondents of whom all were elderly people. Various data collection instruments were used in this study and these includes the following; questionnaires and interview guides. The findings show that the elderly people have health problems, receive social support from the children; they have productive assets like land, houses and take part in other social economic activities. The results revealed that the elderly receive support from the community, have health centers in the community to help them when they are sick; have education services for their grand children and there are also charitable organizations that provide help to them when in need. The study concluded that the government pays little attention; do not have social protection schemes, little help from both family and community, absence of protection rights organization in the community, accessibility of judicial systems to solve cases concerning old people and institutions that look after physically ill people in their area. The researcher therefore recommends that older people should be provided with the necessary support including legal advice, financial support and literacy programes, in obtaining documentation needed to access entitlements for themselves and those in their care. Older people's rights to food, shelter, land, equal recognition before the law and income should be realized so that they can support themselves and their dependants. Denial of these rights exacerbates psychosocial trauma which negatively affects their own well-being and their ability to care for others.