The Impact Of The Methodist Church In Addressing Challenges Of The Elderly In Meru County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of the Methodist Church of Kenya in

addressing challenges faced by the elderly in Imenti South, Meru County. The

research was guided by the following objectives: Identifying the status of the

elderly in Imenti south, identifying factors behind challenges facing the elderly in

Imenti South, assessing the effects of the strategies of the Methodist Church in

addressing the concerns of the elderly in Imenti South and suggesting holistic

strategies to address challenges of the elderly in Imenti South. The study was

guided by the Christian/Biblical teaching and the modernization theory in order to

deal with the increasing aging population in Meru County of Kenya. The

challenges facing the elderly are not only a challenge to the Church but, also to

other societal institutions. The Church has realized the unique problems facing the

elderly, and it has attempted to respond to the complex issues of the elderly. So

the purpose of this study was to examine how the Methodist Church of Kenya has

involved herself with this challenge facing the elderly. The study was both

qualitative and quantitative. It employed descriptive research design. This was

preferred because it allowed the researcher to collect in-depth interviews,

questionnaires and observations to gather factual information systematically and

record the characteristics of interest as they occur. A total of 546 respondents out

of 1,784 Mikumbune congregants were selected using stratified and simple

random sampling methods. Data was collected using open and closed ended

questionnaires, interviews and observation schedule. The tools were validated

through a pilot study conducted in Nkubu Circuit of the Methodist church, Imenti

South. The categories of respondents were the elderly, clergy, middle aged and

youth. The study revealed that there are many challenges facing the elderly raging

from sexual harassment, abuse, neglect, murder and inadequate good will from

the church towards supporting the elderly. The basic purpose of this study is to

bring out the concerted effort which has been muted by the government, the

church, family members and non-governmental organizations in supporting the

elderly. Elderly care awareness campaign by the church and government is

necessary in order to address the situation currently being faced by the elderly in

Meru County and Imenti South in particular. The study recommends that the

church focus on teaching on care of the elderly to strengthen the basic unit of the

society, which is the safety net for the elderly. The government should also

spearhead massive education on the rights of the elderly persons in Kenya. This

would reduce the challenges brought about by ignorance.