title: [Living the aging in Senegal Perceptions/representations and coping strategies of persons of age three: results of investigations retrospective].
abstract: In Senegal, due to the young age of the population (60%) the concerns of the old tend to be put in the background. And yet, problems related to old age are a reality. These problems come up not in terms of demography (the old represent only 4.7% of the population), but in terms of the breaking-up of the social fabric, urbanization and the dismantling of the solidarity and poverty networks. This work is based on a collection of qualitative data from three studies conducted between 2008 and 2011 with the elderly to assess their real- life experiences, their perception of aging, their challenges and coping strategies. The results showed a transformation in the role and status of the old; this transformation being caused by social and society-related mutations. As a result, the inter-generation solidarity links have much loosened in the urban areas making the old people more vulnerable (in economic, social, health terms), especially those in charge of a family. The situation has been made worse by the unemployment affecting their offspring. In addition, the old people, who are often suffering from chronic diseases, find it hard to take charge of their medical expenses, despite the institution of the National Sesame Health Plan for the old or free health care policy. This has made them even more vulnerable. Yet before this precarious situation, the elderly develop strategies to cope with difficulties. Some recommendations have been made with a view to improving their lives and socioeconomic condition.
authors: UFR Santé communautaire, Université Alioune Diop, Bambey, Dakar, Sénégal, Centre de gérontologie et gériatrie, Ouakam, Sénégal.
authors: Ousseynou
authors: O
authors: Kâ
authors: Service de médecine interne, Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors: Atoumane
authors: A
authors: Faye
authors: Concordia University, Montréal, Canada.
authors: El Hadji
authors: el H
authors: Mbaye
authors: UFR Santé communautaire, Université Alioune Diop, Bambey, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors: Alioune Badara
authors: AB
authors: Tall
authors: UFR Santé communautaire, Université Alioune Diop, Bambey, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors: Awa
authors: A
authors: Gaye
authors: UFR Santé communautaire, Université Alioune Diop, Bambey, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors: Papa Gallo
authors: PG
authors: Sow
authors: Institut de population de développement de santé de reproduction, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors: Cheikh Tidiane
authors: CT
authors: Ba
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012675:Senegal; D012924:Social Conditions
keywords: Senegal; coping strategies; elderly; living conditions; perception