A qualitative exploration of the financial insecurity experience among older people: Implications for social work practice

The availability of support services to ensure financial security is crucial for older people, particularly those who experience functional disability and or financial incapacity. In Ghana, evidence show that many older people report being financially insecure, necessitating an examination of how social provisions such as the social work profession can innovatively and culturally promote financial security for older people. However, limited evidence exists on how social work can innovatively offer culturally appropriate contributions to address the financial security needs of older people in Ghana. Deploying a descriptive qualitative design, this study presents the qualitative findings of older people’s financial experiences across three Ghanaian regions. The study participants (N = 15) were purposefully sampled from Ashanti, Bono-East, and Central regions in Ghana to engage in semi-structured interviews. Analysis of participants’ experiences regarding their finances using NVIVO 20 resulted in six major themes namely: 1) source of finance; 2) reliability of financial sources; 3) adequacy of finances; 4) perspectives on financial soundness; 5) perceived status of financial security; and 6) preferred measures to improve financial status. These themes, put together, enhance our understanding of the seriousness of older people’s financial situation and a quest for financial security. The findings offer evidence for the social work profession in Ghana to adopt innovative and culturally sound approaches, including the ‘nnoboa’ strategy (a common concept in rural Akan communities in Ghana for cooperative cultivation and fundraising) in ensuring financial security for older people. Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.