A training manual for older people's caregivers in the community

Date

2005

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Southern New Hampshire University

Abstract

The population of older people is increasing dramatically. The greatest increase is taking place in the developing countries. Tanzania is among the countries whose number of older people has increased considerably. According to the 2002 population census, Tanzania has 1,952,041 people of 60 years and above. This is 5.7 % of the total population. While the number of older people is on increase, the quality of care provided to them by the family, community and the government has continued to decline due to modernization, urbanization, industrialization and impact of HIV/AIDS. The limited age care skills among older people's care providers have made the situation worse, as they are unable to provide the needed care to older people. (Forester, 1998). Poor quality of care to older people within the family and the community has made older people to have poor health thus limiting their contribution not only on their own life but also to their families and communities they live in (Kiwala, 2000). Recognising the needs to address the challenge that has been brought about by the fast increase of the older people in Tanzania, and the limited age care knowledge and skills that exist in different communities in Tanzania, an age care training manual has been developed aimed at building the age care skills of caregivers and other people who work with elderly in order to improve the quality of care they provide for senior citizens. The manual has been developed based on the survey that was carried out in Chanzulu and Mikocheni wards in Kilosa and Kinondoni district respectively. It is a real working tool for age care organizations, social workers, community workers and other practitioners in the area of ageing. It is expected that by going through all modules in this manual participants will be able to broaden their knowledge on ageing and improve and sharpen their age care skills, and more importantly be able to design local interventions for improvement of age care practice in their respective communities. (Author abstract)

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