HORIZONS PROJECT
The Elderly as HIV/AIDS Caregivers: An Assessment of the Burden of HIV/AIDS Caregiving on the Elderly in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Formative research was conducted using focus group discussions; study participants included elderly people, 60 years and older, who were known to be providing care for sick and dependent children and grandchildren.

Key findings included:

• The elderly provide a variety of care services to a range of dependents.
• Because of illness and death, the elderly must carry out multiple parenting roles.
• Pensions and grants are vital sources of support for the elderly, although access to these sources is not always easy.
• Social and community activities are important sources of support for the elderly.
• The elderly feel they have little influence on the behavior of youth.
• Many elderly experience multiple losses but have no option but to continue with their responsibilities.
• Many elderly cope with poor health in addition to looking after dependents.

Recommendations include quantifying the extent of the burden of care on the elderly, as well as prioritizing which challenges and barriers are most important to be addressed. Furthermore, as a result of the variety and range of challenges facing elderly caregivers, actors from different sectors should be encouraged to work together to address problems facing elderly caregivers.

The researchers are using this information to develop and test approaches for mitigating the impact of caregiving on the elderly and those for whom they care.

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Location

Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Duration

May 2004–May 2005

Horizons and Population Council researchers

Katie Schenk, Eka Esu-Williams

Non-Council collaborators

Priscilla Reddy (South African Medical Research Council)

Age-in-Action

Department of Social Welfare

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Horizons and Population Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2005
Reddy, Priscilla, Shegs James, Eka Esu-Williams, and Andrew Fisher. 2005. “‘Inkala ixinge etyeni: Trapped in a difficult situation': The burden of care on the elderly in the Eastern Cape, South Africa,” Horizons Research Update. Johannesburg: Population Council. (PDF)

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Related Project

• A Pilot Community-based Intervention Program to Address the Needs of Elderly Caregivers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

See Also

• South Africa

• Horizons Program

• HIV and AIDS

• HIV and AIDS/Consequences for Individuals, Families, and Society

• HIV and AIDS/Orphans and Vulnerable Children

• Gender and Family Dynamics

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