Population aging: Unraveling challenges of socioeconomic support for elderly Zimbabweans

This research examines the determinants of living arrangements and socioeconomic support of elderly persons in Zimbabwe. Traditionally, family has been the single most important source of support for the elderly in developing countries. Continuing declines in fertility and mortality levels have contributed to the rapid aging of Zimbabwe's population, which raises questions regarding the persistence of informal arrangements for social support. In Zimbabwe, formal social support is not developed and thus, familial support continues to be the mainstay of the elderly.;This study found kin availability to be an important predictor of living arrangements and social support for elderly persons. However, elderly persons' attributes such as gender of the head of household had a significantly negative effect on living arrangements, but did not affect receiving social support. In addition, the study found that households consisting of married couples were significantly less likely to receive social support from kin. Although kin availability defines the potential opportunities for co-residence and receiving social support, the attributes of children are important in determining elderly persons' living arrangement and receiving social support. Hence, elderly persons with adult living children are significantly more likely to co-reside as well as to receive social support from kin.;A review of the literature reveals that strong family ties, which encourage children to support their parents, nourish norms and traditions. This research shows those levels of social support received including material goods and monetary transfers are not dependent on educational attainment and socioeconomic status of elderly persons. The analyses show that higher levels of education, socioeconomic status, and urban residence do not have any effect on elderly persons receiving social support from kin. These findings contradict the notion that modernization has eroded the cultural norms and traditions that prescribed kin to provide social support for elderly parents.;These findings assert the importance of family in the lives of elderly persons. Traditional family ties that promote traditional old age social support may still be in place and therefore, there is a need for policies that recognize and assist families in caring for their elderly members. These policies should be a fundamental part of social and economic planning of Zimbabwe to ensure elderly persons' future social support.