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Leveraging Healthcare Opportunities for Improved Access among Ghanaian Retirees: The Case of Active Aging

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  • Delali A. Dovie

    (Sociology Department, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 65, Legon, Accra, Ghana)

Abstract

This paper is a policy brief with targeted interviews of older adults in urban Ghana with recommendations for future healthcare policy. Using qualitative explorative approach, the scope of the research is to examine opportunities that focus on healthy aging in order to enhance healthcare infrastructure in Ghana in preparation for an increased number of older adults. The paper mainly finds that improved healthcare solicitation and the social world of older adults are intricately linked. The healthcare needs of older adults are met through diverse mechanisms—the Pensioners’ Medical Scheme and ceragim concept. These depict a transformation in healthcare access and delivery with implications for wider healthcare, solidarity and efficiency. Active ageing strategies therefore facilitate the provision of supplementary healthcare access by seeking health solutions independently, including the creation of awareness about the challenges and the concomitant health resource opportunities for older adults. These have the tendency for the development of an acumen for healthcare-related resilience. I argue that health-related challenges depict opportunities for smarter solutions and mutual growth, further showing that aging is gain and a human development issue that fosters the emergence of an integrated healthcare system. Crucially, the paper reveals that health-related challenges are used to leverage entry and participation in the healthcare products’ market and by extension access to quality and holistic healthcare services. This encompasses innovative healthcare infrastructural resources that Ghanaian older adults patronize. These health resources are worth pursuing and may need to be incorporated into the National Policy on Ageing, with envisaged universal coverage in focus.

Suggested Citation

  • Delali A. Dovie, 2018. "Leveraging Healthcare Opportunities for Improved Access among Ghanaian Retirees: The Case of Active Aging," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:7:y:2018:i:6:p:92-:d:150729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roddy McKinnon, 2016. "Introduction: Pursuing excellence in social security administration," International Social Security Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 69(3-4), pages 5-19, July.
    2. de-Graft Aikins, Ama, 2005. "Healer shopping in Africa: new evidence from rural-urban qualitative study of diabetes experiences," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 49550, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    Cited by:

    1. Delali A. Dovie, 2019. "Assessment of How House Ownership Shapes Health Outcomes in Urban Ghana," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Francisco Palací & Irene Jiménez & Gabriela Topa, 2018. "Too soon to worry? Longitudinal examination of financial planning for retirement among Spanish aged workers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, December.

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