Social Entrepreneurship: Addressing the Challenges of Providing Old Age Housing Facilities for the Ageing Population in Mauritius

The number of elderly people in Mauritius is increasing significantly, signalling a substantial change in the demographic picture as a result of rising life expectancy and falling birth rates. Older people who reside in old age homes have a dedicated setting where they get assistance and their healthcare needs may be effectively met, improving their general well-being. A rise in elderly population and the change in family structure emphasizes the necessity for more old age homes. Social entrepreneurs undertake to solve certain societal problems and can provide a solution by providing old age housing facilities to senior citizens to age in comfort, safety, and dignity with medical attention, companionship, and age-appropriate activities. The conceptual framework of this study is based on social entrepreneurship and has the objective of looking into the growing market for senior housing in Mauritius, which is being driven by an ageing population and has emerged as a major national social problem. The study uses both quantitative and qualitative techniques to meet the goals of the study. Firstly, to understand the experiences of ageing in place and older people’s negotiations with changing settings in old age; and secondly, to understand access to home and community-based services as well as the experience of care provided by old age homes personnel. Six research questions have been used as guidance to gather information regarding the impact of an ageing population in Mauritius, why do the elderly people choose old age homes and what are their expectations and challenges. Three different types of questionnaires were used to collect data from three categories of participants. Quantitative data have been analysed using the SPSS software and grounded theory used to analyse qualitative data. Housing insecurity is a major concern for the government. The research has shed light on the issues affecting senior citizens and the facilities that social entrepreneurs should look into when providing old age homes as well as the cutting-edge training to employees to care for common old age medical conditions. In addition, social entrepreneurs should look at factors including accessibility, cost, and care quality which influence the outcomes of old age living facilities.