Order person is defined as “a person who has attained the age of 60 years or more”. As people age, their physical and mental capacities tend to decline while their health issues become more chronic and complex. There is evidence that most elderly persons in Malawi who live in poverty, have poor health and nutritional statuses. In order to address such challenges, the government of Malawi introduced alternative approaches that are used to support the elderly such as the community-based care initiatives which involves providing health care services and support within local communities. However, ensuring equitable access to medical care services remains a significant challenge in Malawi, particularly for vulnerable populations such as elderly persons. Elderly persons may not always be included as beneficiaries in certain health care programs due to some health care initiatives that may target specific age groups, such as children under five years old or pregnant women. Order person do not fall within the targeted age groups of such programs which makes the elderly's to have different perceptions on those health care services hence the need for this study. The study employed a qualitative approach with exploratory research design to understand the experiences and views of elderly individuals towards the health care services provided by government health centres and views of medical practitioners on how medical care services are provided to elderly persons. Five (5) medical practitioners from five (5) primary health centres were interviewed as key informants and two (2) elderly persons surrounding each health center were interviewed. The study found out that that some health care centers provide nutritional counseling and dietary support for elderly individuals to address issues such as malnutrition, diabetes, or heart disease. They also provide general medical services such as emergency medical care and diagnostic services and community outreach programme aiming at providing diagnostic services. The research revealed that elderly participants held varied views on the medical services offered at health centers. While they appreciate the availability of medical care services, long distances, lack of transportation, medication stock outs and extended waiting times were significant barriers. The study also uncovered cultural beliefs that influenced how the elderly view health care services.

"> Order person is defined as “a person who has attained the age of 60 years or more”. As people age, their physical and mental capacities tend to decline while their health issues become more chronic and complex. There is evidence that most elderly persons in Malawi who live in poverty, have poor health and nutritional statuses. In order to address such challenges, the government of Malawi introduced alternative approaches that are used to support the elderly such as the community-based care initiatives which involves providing health care services and support within local communities. However, ensuring equitable access to medical care services remains a significant challenge in Malawi, particularly for vulnerable populations such as elderly persons. Elderly persons may not always be included as beneficiaries in certain health care programs due to some health care initiatives that may target specific age groups, such as children under five years old or pregnant women. Order person do not fall within the targeted age groups of such programs which makes the elderly's to have different perceptions on those health care services hence the need for this study. The study employed a qualitative approach with exploratory research design to understand the experiences and views of elderly individuals towards the health care services provided by government health centres and views of medical practitioners on how medical care services are provided to elderly persons. Five (5) medical practitioners from five (5) primary health centres were interviewed as key informants and two (2) elderly persons surrounding each health center were interviewed. The study found out that that some health care centers provide nutritional counseling and dietary support for elderly individuals to address issues such as malnutrition, diabetes, or heart disease. They also provide general medical services such as emergency medical care and diagnostic services and community outreach programme aiming at providing diagnostic services. The research revealed that elderly participants held varied views on the medical services offered at health centers. While they appreciate the availability of medical care services, long distances, lack of transportation, medication stock outs and extended waiting times were significant barriers. The study also uncovered cultural beliefs that influenced how the elderly view health care services.

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AN ASSESSESSMENT ON THE ELDERLY PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN MALAWI.

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Periodicity:September - December'2025

Abstract

Order person is defined as “a person who has attained the age of 60 years or more”. As people age, their physical and mental capacities tend to decline while their health issues become more chronic and complex. There is evidence that most elderly persons in Malawi who live in poverty, have poor health and nutritional statuses. In order to address such challenges, the government of Malawi introduced alternative approaches that are used to support the elderly such as the community-based care initiatives which involves providing health care services and support within local communities. However, ensuring equitable access to medical care services remains a significant challenge in Malawi, particularly for vulnerable populations such as elderly persons. Elderly persons may not always be included as beneficiaries in certain health care programs due to some health care initiatives that may target specific age groups, such as children under five years old or pregnant women. Order person do not fall within the targeted age groups of such programs which makes the elderly's to have different perceptions on those health care services hence the need for this study. The study employed a qualitative approach with exploratory research design to understand the experiences and views of elderly individuals towards the health care services provided by government health centres and views of medical practitioners on how medical care services are provided to elderly persons. Five (5) medical practitioners from five (5) primary health centres were interviewed as key informants and two (2) elderly persons surrounding each health center were interviewed. The study found out that that some health care centers provide nutritional counseling and dietary support for elderly individuals to address issues such as malnutrition, diabetes, or heart disease. They also provide general medical services such as emergency medical care and diagnostic services and community outreach programme aiming at providing diagnostic services. The research revealed that elderly participants held varied views on the medical services offered at health centers. While they appreciate the availability of medical care services, long distances, lack of transportation, medication stock outs and extended waiting times were significant barriers. The study also uncovered cultural beliefs that influenced how the elderly view health care services.

Keywords

Elderly Person, Healthcare, Geriatric, Perception.

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