Institutional Culture and the Welfare of the Aged Population in Arusha District, Tanzania

Abstract

The rising number of elderly persons in Africa and the need to provide them with support within state and non-state institutions require that the institutions meet the the standards set by international and national conventions on elderly persons welfare. It is in this vein that the current study aimed at determining the role of institutional culture on the welfare of the aged population in Arusha rural district, Tanzania. To achieve this, it explored the role of traditional perceptions on the welfare of the elderly in Arusha rural district, explored how different institutional care plans on the elderly affect their well being in Arusha rural district, and investigated the role of different institutional stakeholders on the welfare of the elderly population in Arusha rural district. The research used Culture Care Diversity and Universality and Social Exclusion theories. The study used mixed Convergent research design under mixed method research approach. It targeted 48,480 elderly persons, 15 local government administrators, 10 non-state actors, and 50 relatives to the elderly. Questionnaire, interview guide, and FGD were used. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that traditional community perception, institutional care plans, and stakeholder involvement had a positive relation on the welfare of the older population in Arusha Rural District in Tanzania. It concluded that, elderly persons faced societal stereotypes and traditional beliefs that negatively affected their welfare. It also concluded that, the government offices in the area did not provide friendly and timely care services for the elderly persons.