An Integrative Review on Monitoring and Evaluation Strategies of Health Care Utilisation Among Older Adults in Ghana

Effective healthcare utilisation is vital for the well-being of older adults. Ghana, with its growing elderly population, requires robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies to assess healthcare access and service utilisation. This study aimed to investigate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies for healthcare utilisation among older adults in Ghana. An integrative review methodology was employed in this study, encompassing a five-stage process: problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation of findings. The selected seven papers focusing on healthcare access and utilisation by Ghana's geriatrics were analysed. National policies such as the National Ageing Policy provide a framework for addressing the healthcare needs of older persons. The Ghana Health Service collects health data from routine service records and the District Health Information Management System (DHIMSII), which provides information on older persons' healthcare utilisation in Ghana. The National Health Insurance Scheme and Ghana Living Standard Survey provide some coverage for older persons and track their health access and consumption. Despite the prevalence of M&E techniques for elderly care, there are limitations, like DHIMSII data limits and the NHIS's inability to monitor unregistered individuals. Ghana implements various M&E strategies that are effective, but ongoing improvements are needed to fully address the healthcare needs of its ageing population.