Ageing well in Nepal? Exploring the health and social care needs of older adults
: A qualitative study in Dhading district of Nepal

  • Laxmi Timalsina

Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Ageing and older adult care is a new endeavour in Nepal. The attitude and assumptions toward older adults in Nepalese society make it very difficult to derive a clear concept of ageing well. Moreover, there are other factors that act as barriers towards meeting older adults’ health and social care needs, such as structural barriers, lack of actual documentation and database, trained manpower, passiveness and lack of concerns from governmental bodies at the local level. Therefore, this research study aims to explore the ageing experiences of older adults residing in the Dhading district of Nepal and develop recommendations for improving the local health and social care and welfare needs of this population. In order to address the key research, aim and objectives, this study has employed a qualitative research approach. The research used purposive sampling to select a total of 54 participants. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 20 older adults over the age of 65 years and 10 stakeholders involved in addressing the health and social care needs of the older adults. In addition, the research collected data using four focus group discussions, each with six participants. This research study found that older adults considered old age as a natural process. The findings show that ageing well and the need for health and social care is multifaceted and interrelated. Older adults consider physical health and functional ability as the key to ageing well. Older adults view ageing both positively and negatively as it provides opportunities as well as many challenges. They place greater emphasis on the fulfilment of basic needs and good physical health as being the key to ageing well. The meaning of ageing well and the components associated with older adults’ well-being differed for every individual. Similarly, this research also found that empowerment for older adults comes with good health, education attainment, financial security, family support and social security. The findings from this study suggest an urgent need for older adult care policies to be adopted which could address the concerns of ageing well and the health and social care needs of Nepalese older adults.
Date of Award2 May 2023
Original languageEnglish
SupervisorPadam Simkhada (Main Supervisor) & Rajeeb Kumar Sah (Co-Supervisor)

Cite this

'