INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE AND THE WELFARE OF THE AGED POPULATION IN ARUSHA DISTRICT, TANZANIA.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The rising number of elderly persons imply that the institutional culture should be continuously improved to promote the welfare of the elderly persons. Thus, in the event there is poor planning and management, the welfare of the elderly could be jeopardized. It is in this vein that the current study aimed to determine the role of institutional culture on the welfare of the aged population in Arusha rural district, Tanzania. Specifically, the study explored the role of traditional perceptions on the welfare of the elderly in Arusha rural district, determined how different institutional care plans on the elderly affect their wellbeing in Arusha rural district, examined the role of different institutional stakeholders on the welfare of the elderly population in Arusha rural district, and investigated the moderating role of gender on the connection among community perceptions, social care plans, and stakeholder involvement. The research used Culture Care Diversity and Universality and Social Exclusion theories. The study used mixed research design (quantitative and qualitative). It targeted 48,480 elderly persons, 15 local government administrators, 10 nonstate actors, and 50 relatives to the elderly with a sample size of 397 15, 10 and 50 respondents respectively. The study used simple random sampling to select elderly persons while purposive was used to identify local government administrators, non-state actors, and relatives. Questionnaire, and interview and FGD guides were used. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions. The study found that traditional community perception, institutional care plans, and stakeholder involvement had positive relation with the welfare of elderlies. It concluded that, elderly persons faces societal stereotypes and traditional beliefs and these negatively affected their welfare. It also concludes that, the government offices in the area do not provide friendly and timely care services for the elderly persons. The study recommends that government must avail adequate resources so that societal knowledge and information is increased to reduce the negative effects of traditional beliefs. It also recommends that, the government and humanitarian bodies should increase the monthly cash transfers to increase elderly access to basic needs. Further, the study recommends that, key stakeholders should be engaged in all decision making process.