Older Persons: the Case of South Africa

Abstract

The South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996) laid the foundation for the transformation agenda of the new democracy to protect the human rights of older persons and to terminate all the forms of racial discrimination and inequality that had been instituted against them by the apartheid state. New legislation was passed in 2006, making provision for the protection of the rights of older persons and shifting services from primarily institutional care to community-based care, with a view to keeping the elderly in the community as long as possible. The old age pension, which is received by the majority of older persons in South Africa, targets household poverty rather than facilitating older persons' independent living. Recurring themes in qualitative studies conducted in South Africa include the erosion of the traditional extended family, which impacts on families' ability to care for older people, and the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Consequently, the elderly have become primary care-givers for sick children and orphaned grandchildren. They now face financial hardship, because they have to share their meagre income with their intergenerational households. In their caregiver role, the elderly experience renewed meaning for their lives in contributing to society, which instils resilience and a sense of empowerment. Despite this, they remain a vulnerable group who can be exploited. The South African government and society are challenged to implement the Act on Older Persons, No 13 of 2006, which forms the cornerstone for services that will facilitate older people's protection and their full integration into South African society.

Malnutrition in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities: a cross sectional survey using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) screening tool

“…These inequities led to limited access to education and unemployment, with resultant poverty, especially for black South Africans. 19 The possible effects of previous racial inequities were made clear in the current study. The results established that elderly residents fetch their own drinks and visit the restroom frequently.…”

Older adult caregivers to people with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of literature and policy implications for change

“…The review revealed that the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in SSA has resulted in devastation and disruption of the traditional family structure in most communities necessitating unprecedented changes in the roles of individuals and families in society (Ferreira 2004, Nhongo 2004, Smit 2007, Kimokoti and Hamer 2008, UNAIDS 2008b, Lombard and Kruger 2009, Kautz et al 2010, Ogunmefun et al 2010, Pellizzoli 2011. Over the generations, the traditional strength and resilience of the African extended family represented what is commonly known as an impregnable 'safety net' capable of mitigating any crisis through interwoven ties and social networks that preserved family, kinship, and society (Foster 2000, Foster and Williamson 2000, Nhongo 2004, Moore and Henry 2005, Smit 2007.…”

“…Research on older people in Africa is scarce and the few studies done cover only a few countries without taking into consideration the wide diversity of communities on the continent of Africa or use smaller samples which make it difficult to generalize findings (Bock and Johnson 2008, Ice et al 2008, Makoni 2008, Kiggundu and Oldewage-Theron 2009, Kyobutungi et al 2009, Lombard and Kruger 2009, Muga and Onyango-Ouma 2009). …”

“…The UN defines older persons as those aged 60 years and above (Kimokoti and Hamer 2008, Cheng and Siankam 2009, Lombard and Kruger 2009, although in SSA, definition of old age is relative to the community in which one lives (Ssengonzi 2007, Kimokoti and Hamer 2008, Makoni 2008. In some areas, physical registration at birth is not common or could be nonexistent especially for the cohorts who are now older adults, hence physical features are commonly used to estimate a person's age.…”

Caring for an Ageing Population: Are Physiotherapy Graduates Adequately Prepared?

“…Poor health is a major problem facing older people in South Africa, with lack of access to health facilities, overcrowding at hospitals, and lack of medication being key difficulties they encounter when seeking health services (Lombard & Kruger, 2009). Advancing the health of older persons within the framework of a transforming healthcare system and primary healthcare requires reorienting healthcare services towards health promotion, disease prevention, and equitable access to quality primary healthcare and long-term care.…”