Abstract
Correlates of grief among older adults caring for children and grandchildren as a consequence of HIV and AIDS in South Africa
Boon,Hermien; Ruiter,Robert A.C.; James,Shegs; van den Borne,Bart; Esu-Williams,Eka; Reddy,Priscilla
Journal of Aging and Health 22(1): 48-67
Publication date: 2010
Objectives
Over the past few years, older people have becomethe main caregivers for their sick adult children and orphanedgrandchildren due to HIV/AIDS in South Africa. This articleaims to investigate the scope of care provided by older people,with a specific focus on the experience of grief due to multiplelosses and its correlates.
Methods
Quantitative interviewswere conducted among 820 isiXhosa speaking caregivers of 60years and older in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Results
Older persons are involved in a wide range of care activitieswith several dependents to care for. Grief among older adultsis most strongly predicted by perceived stigma around HIV andAIDS and worries about providing the care.
Discussion
Thisstudy provides insight into correlates of grief among oldercaregivers and results in useful information to inform the developmentof interventions to assist older persons in coping with theirresponsibilities as caregivers.
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