International Rural Aging Project

Invited Symposia

Community Development and Rural Aging

Convener: Nana Apt
Professor, Head of the Department of Sociology and Director, Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana

Date Thursday, June 8
Time 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Location Parlor A, Civic Center

Abstract
A community is more than a physical setting and although definitions vary, they include four essential elements of people, social interaction, area and common ties which this symposia will explore. As longevity progresses, the fact that government alone cannot take total responsibility for the care of older persons have become important matters of concern even in developed countries. In many sub-Saharan African countries where poverty reigns supreme, care of older persons has become an important policy concern. The primary units for care of older persons will for a long time to come remain the family. Community involvement appear to be the important next step in elderly care, the aim being to assist older people to remain at home and in their own community environment as long as possible. There are many ways in which this can be done. In this symposia, we shall examine a typical African community and the life of older persons in it and discuss practical and affordable ways of enhancing the welfare of older persons with community participation.

Overcoming Marginality: Older People in a Black Community in South Africa
Beatrice Morobe, South Africa

Community Participation in Age Care: The Melfort Experience in Zimbabwe
Douglas Mhizha, Harare, Zimbabwe

Multipurpose Community Telecentres (MCTs) and Socioeconomic Development in Rural Africa: The Asante Akim MCT
Osei K. Darkwa, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, US

Project Ideas from an International Network Organization

Continuing Education Credits
WV Social Work: 1.5 hrs