Population ageing is on the increase and it has become a very important issue for immediate
attention. Mordernisatsion has affected the roles that elderly people play making them lose
their significance. Knowledge on the contemporary roles of the elderly is necessary since it will
help individuals to better appreciate our senior citizens.
This study was aimed at soliciting the views and opinions of about a hundred elderly with
respect to their contemporary roles and how they succeed in performing those functions. It
also reviewed policies on ageing that prescribe roles for older persons. It was found that the
policies only make provision for continued success and the elderly still play some roles in the
family, community and their religious affiliations. Also the main conditions under which old
persons succeed are good health and adequate finances. Overall, the findings of the
dissertation suggest that the elderly still play numerous roles in this contemporary time. Their
functions should be acknowledged and an enabling environment be created for them to achieve
success in these roles.