Reflections of ageing among older adults in a Ugandan community: A qualitative analysis into the benefits and pains of ageing.

Background: The way societies comprehend and interpret aging has been in constant flux, mainly as life expectancy benchmarks increase and worldwide dynamics transform. Similar to many other nations, Uganda is experiencing this demographic shift. People aged 60 and above, who form a mere 2.7% of Uganda's population, are gradually emerging as a segment worth attention. This surge in life expectancy, which has increased from 50 to 63 years over the last decade, indicates a significant transformation in healthcare, lifestyles, and societal structures. Given this backdrop, there is a pressing need to delve deeper into the perceptions and experiences of this age cohort, especially in Central Uganda. This area mirrors the national trends. Methods: This study adopted a rigorous methodological approach. Individuals aged 60 years and above were selected through purposive sampling, which aimed to draw out rich and diverse narratives. These participants participated in seven in-depth Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) held in Wakiso District. To ensure accuracy in representation, all discussions were first transcribed in Luganda, the local dialect, before careful translation to English. Results: The participants presented a broad age spectrum from 62 to 90 years. The demographic data revealed a majority of female participants (54%), and a noteworthy statistic was that over half (51%) lacked a steady income source. Meticulous thematic analysis uncovered three themes. First, the journey of ageing encompasses physical, psychological, and social shifts, such as diminishing mobility, deteriorating health, and mounting social isolation. Second, the brighter side of ageing manifests in intangibles such as accumulated wisdom and a profound sense of life's accomplishments. The third theme echoed the harsher realities of aging, highlighting struggles with maintaining independence, looming financial challenges, and the sting of social exclusion.

An Association of Quality of Life and Ageing Perceptions among Community Dwelling Older Adults in Uganda.

Background: Uganda's population, though, largely characterized by young people, has seen the number of people aged 60 and over grow from 686,000 twenty years ago, to 1,433,596 in 2014. Effective caring for the well-being of this population requires strategic and deliberate planning that involves Quality Of Life (QoL) assessments. QoL assessments among the elderly are important in evaluating the efficacy of strategies, such as health interventions, welfare programs, health care and well-being of the elderly. However, elderly in Uganda face several challenges, ranging from loneliness, poor housing, lack of social and financial support and poor health. These may negatively affect older persons' quality of life and consequently their perceptions and attitudes towards aging. Methods: The study was carried out in 2019 in the communities of Nansana and Busukuma town councils in Wakiso district, Uganda. The participants were 380 people 60 years and older. To establish the association between perceptions of ageing and QoL, this study utilized a locally adapted version of the Older Person's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL) and the Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ). The OPQOL assesses three domains of QoL: Health QoL (HQoL); Social economic QoL (SQoL); and Psychosocial QoL (PQoL). The B-APQ assesses perceptions about physical age, participation in social activities, and perceptions about ability to regulate emotions as one ages. Pearson's Chi-square tests were used to characterize the relationship between the perceptions and quality of life. Results: The majority of the respondents, 61% (95%CI 56.7-64.8), had negative perceptions towards ageing. Eighty six percent had poor HQoL, 90% poor SQoL and 83% poor PQoL. There was a significant association between good HQoL and positive perception about participation in social activities (X2 = 7.3670, P = 0.007) as well as with positive perception on regulation of emotions (X2 = 18.1803, P<0.001). There was a significant association between good SQoL and positive perception about participation in social activities (X2 = 5.3472, P = 0.021), as well with positive perception on regulation of emotions (X2 = 10.5128, P<0.001). A significant association between good PQoL and positive perception on regulation of emotions (X2 = 9.2414, P= 0.002). Conclusion: Positive perceptions of ageing are associated with good QoL. Directly addressing perceptions of ageing could be a low cost and effective strategy to improve the QoL of older persons in SSA.