Twenty older adults participated in the interviews. Participant characteristics are presented in Table 1 below. The mean age of participants was approximately 69 years. 65% of the participants were female. 70% had no education, 20% had primary education and 10% had at least a secondary education. 85% are into petty trading of various kinds.
Table 1
interviewee characteristics; M-male; F-female
Participant No | Age | Gender | Level of Education | Vocation | Marital Status |
1 | 72 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
2 | 63 | M | Primary | Farming | Widower |
3 | 79 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
4 | 80 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
5 | 65 | F | None | Trading | Married |
6 | 75 | M | None | Trading | Married |
7 | 66 | M | Primary | Trading | Married |
8 | 65 | F | None | Trading | Married |
9 | 75 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
10 | 67 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
11 | 78 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
12 | 70 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
13 | 62 | M | Primary | Trading | Married |
14 | 80 | M | Secondary | Electronics | Married |
15 | 70 | M | None | Carpentry | Married |
16 | 65 | F | None | Trading | Married |
17 | 40 | F | Primary | Trading | Widow |
18 | 65 | F | None | Trading | Widow |
19 | 65 | F | None | Trading | Married |
20 | 75 | M | Tertiary | Trading | Married |
The effect of the intervention was assessed through the use of probing questions to understand the experiences and self-perception of participants.
Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was done with manual coding techniques using Aronson’s four stage thematic analysis methods (Aronson, 1995). Key direct quotes were identified and common idea paraphrased and related patterns were combined into themes. Five themes corresponding to three broad categories (physical, mental and cognitive well-being) emerged. The following are the themes identified: (1) quality of life (2) increased physical function (3) social interaction (4) socio-economic effects (5) mental stability
Theme 1: Quality of life.
Most participants showed their concern towards maintaining a good quality of life irrespective of their aging experience. They found fulfillment and comfort in their various engaged activities, reassuring them for the future. They expressed that performing in meaningful activity is vital to good feeling and improved quality of life.
“This empowerment has helped me in living a financially independent life, a degree of comfort and a sense of belonging in my community” (Participant 13)
“…I have experienced more patronage and sales as compared to when I had no financial support to expand the business and sincerely…my standard of living is now better” (Participant 15)
Theme 2: Increased physical function.
More than half of the participants identified that their level of physical function has greatly improved through engagement in their various vocational skill. The empowerment has assisted in expansion of their businesses and in turn increased their mobility and physical activeness. They perceived physical functioning as useful for health other than living a sedentary lifestyle.
“I walk down to market myself to re-stock when my goods are almost sold out. More movement has helped me cope with the leg pains that I have whenever I sit down for a long time. When my customers come around, I have to stand up and attend to them” (Participant 12).
“As you can see, I’m involved in carpentry work which doesn’t allow me to sit down for too long. I stand for almost 5 hours daily making furniture though I take few breaks in-between. I can say this has kept me strong rather than sitting and staying idle throughout the whole day” (Participant 15).
Theme 3: Social interaction.
Loneliness which is one of the vices associated with aging was clearly stated out as a root-cause to depression. Participants reported enhanced interpersonal relationships between them and their customers making them relate more than before as some of them are widowed and living alone.
“After I have been empowered, I expanded my business to include more packaged snacks. This has increased patronage from the younger population (children) and those of middle age. Another thing I noticed is that I interact better with them…some of them keep me company whenever they come to buy things from me” (Participant 12)
“I buy fruits like banana and plantain on the farm to sell at market. All this while I have it in mind to also sell at the mosque where I pray but financial constraints denied me of doing so. When I was given the fund, I maximized it and was able to meet demands at my religious centre. This is a plus for me because I relate well with other members as they come to buy my good” (Participant 16)
Theme 4: Socio-economic effects.
A shared belief among participants was revealed through interviews. It was highlighted that the empowerment was a form of practical support which improved the socio-economic status of the older adults especially in terms of income.
“I’m happy with the profit I make nowadays…I have more money at hand and I can buy whatever I want. The business is really improving alongside my general well-being” (Participant 6).
“self-confidence is one of the benefit I’m enjoying due to the stable source of income that I now have, it has made me more active in my community” (Participant 1).
“Old age has been a fear to me because while growing up, I see a lot of old people around totally dependent on their family. Some of them don’t even have responsible children, some were neglected. I have been selling few household items initially; the small profit I make is what I used in sustaining myself. At times, things are difficult because I don’t even get enough as I wanted. The empowerment has greatly helped me to increase the strength of my business and more profits are coming” (Participant 9).
Theme 5: Mental stability.
Some of the participants reported that, the act of buying and selling has helped them to remember things. They identified that their thinking ability, analytical skills and information processing speed has greatly improved as they have constant engagement with customers.
“I have seen people of my age having difficulty in managing money. Having transaction on daily basis between me and my customers has really helped my mental ability. When they pay for the goods, I quickly calculate to ensure I collected the right amount” (Participant 6).
“Constant interaction has made me maintain mental consciousness. I respond well when people come around to my shop” (Participant 11).
“This eye problem is an issue that has affected the continuation of my business. This was almost leading into mental depression. Immediately I got the financial reinforcement, I continued in the business with the assistance of my (wife). I can’t see anyways but the fact that my occupation is sustained gives me joy” (Participant 13).
Outlier
Participant 17, although outside the age range, was empowered to fill the gap for her husband’s death. Her husband was the selected participant according to the inclusion criteria but the trauma happened prior to the disbursement of funds to participants.