Challenges and Coping Strategies Adopted by the Elderly in Kenya

The unprecedented increase in ageing population is exposing many hardships being faced by older people. These include socio-economic changes, deterioration of cultural values and mores, perennial manmade and natural disasters particularly in light of the apparent unfavourable environments characterized by increased social conflicts and globalization. The traditional social protection system has come under strain due to a number of phenomena linked to modernization e.g. urbanization, geographic mobility, monetarization, raising individualism and to the persistent economic and political crisis. The contributions that older persons continue to make towards development and sustenance of their families are hardly noticed. Currently the contributions that they make in the face of such deadly pandemics as HIV/AIDS; by caring for the sick members of the family and taking over the parenting role for orphans are barely appreciated. This book highlights challenges, coping mechanisms adopted by the elderly and suggests steps towards addressing the problems, needs and concerns of older persons in Kenya.