The International Anthropological study conducted by Glascock (1980) indicated that definition of old age in Africa
can be categorized into three (1) chronology; (2) change in social role (i.e. change in work patterns, adult status of
children and menopause); and (3) change in capabilities (i.e. invalid status, senility and change in physical
characteristics). Results from this cultural analysis of old age suggested that change in social role is the predominant
means of defining old age