Factors influencing social exclusion of elderly persons in Alego-Usonga constituency, Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the factors that influence social exclusion of elderly persons in Alego-Usonga Constituency, Siaya County. Social exclusion can be defined as a process by which individuals or social groups are detached from key social realms that determine an individual‟s integration in the society. The problem manifests itself among elderly persons in form of weak social ties with members of the community; limited income; lack of proper home-based care; poor health and nutrition as well as lack of access to recreational and entertainment services. This study intended to establish the extent to which rural-urban migration of the elderly persons‟ offspring influenced social exclusion of the elderly in Alego-Usonga; examine the influence of elderly persons‟ limited access to ICT on their social exclusion and to evaluate the influence of the family and community support systems on elderly persons‟ social exclusion in Alego-Usonga. This study was guided by Disengagement Theory of Ageing and Modernization Theory of Ageing in illustrating elderly persons‟ social exclusion. In the methodology, this study applied both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, employing both structured interview schedules and in-depth interviews. The data generated from both tools was analyzed through descriptive statistics and complemented with qualitative analysis. A two-staged cluster sampling method was employed due to the expansive nature of the study area. This study found that elderly persons‟ social exclusion was influenced by the three factors, namely, migration of elderly persons‟ offspring to urban areas; elderly persons‟ limited access to ICT and ineffective family and community support systems. This study recommends policy and program interventions by development stakeholders aimed at strengthening rural-urban linkages, promoting elderly persons‟ digital literacy and revitalizing family and community support systems to better address the needs of elderly persons and promote the social inclusion.