This article is aimed at adding new knowledge to the
existing literature on how previous life styles can lead to neglect
in old age using the perceptions and conceptions of community
leaders in rural and urban Zambia. The article which is based on
qualitative data collected from community leaders in Zambia
involved in addressing problems of elder abuse argues that previous
life styles are playing a part in the neglect of some elder people
in rural and urban Zambia. The specific previous life styles which
are leading to their neglect include devaluing of the family
members and failure to invest in private social protection during
their days of productivity. Solutions on how to prevent neglect in
old age have also been suggested using the perceptions and
conceptions of community leaders in Zambia. The article further
argues that since the world is moving towards population ageing and
given the fact that neglect of elder people is a global problem,
the revelations made in this article have significant implications
for social gerontology, social work and public health education,
practice and research. This is because social gerontologists,
social workers and public health workers are among the frontline
workers dealing with the problem of elder neglect. Directions for
future research are also suggested.
Key words: Previous life styles; Old age;
Neglect; rural and urban Zambia