In Africa, ageing is a phenomenon that is just beginning to reveal its shape. Most
governments, including the Namibian government, recognize the fact that the number
of older persons is on the increase, however, discussing it is still a distant phenomenon
and family matter. This paper examines the living arrangements of older
adults in Namibia, identifying the existing structure of living arrangements and the
nature of family relationships of older people, as well as provides some basic descriptive
information on the housing conditions in which older persons live and how they
are associated with their socioeconomic and demographic factors. The analysis is
based on 1991, 2001 and 2011 Namibia Population and Housing Censuses. The
study concluded that living arrangements is constantly changing from extended
family pattern to western nuclear family, mainly due to urbanization and decreased
fertility rate. Housing conditions had notably improved in rural areas while in urban
areas the conditions are affected by the mushrooming of informal settlements. There
is need to encourage or conduct focused research on ageing to help coin policies
based on evidence and make communities sensitive towards ageing. The study further
recommends Government to encourage old people to form organizations that
would in turn focus on sensitizing and help championing issues of ageing and aged
persons.