The Influence of Public Perception of Institutional Efficacy to Provide Care for the Elderly on the Uptake of Institutionalized Care for the Elderly in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to investigate the public perception of institutional efficacy to provide specialized care for elderly people and its influence on the uptake of institutional care in Nakuru County, Kenya. Specifically, the study examined perceived institutional efficacy in taking care of the aged and socio-cultural factors on the one hand and their influence on the uptake of institutional care for the elderly. A pilot study was carried at Kericho County to determine the validity and reliability of the study. The study engaged 400 respondents, who were selected through purposive and stratified random sampling. Data for the study was collected with questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The results indicate that uptake of care homes is positively influenced by physical facilities and negatively affected by staff. Thus, the availability of proper physical facilities for accommodation and physical exercise was a positive factor. It was, however, unexpected to find that the availability of competent staff negatively influenced the uptake of institutionalized care. The legality of the care homes was not a non-issue for the society in terms of influencing their decision to enroll their relative to the care homes. It is, therefore, necessary to sensitize the society about the efficacy of staff in the care homes as well as the importance of the legal status of the care homes.