Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 9, number 1, April 2000
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8080 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012914
- Description: [From Editorial] Four of the five articles in this issue either deal explicitly with or refer to the effects of the AIDS epidemics in the authors' countries. The fifth paper deals with late-life chronic diseases of life-style. In the first paper, Akinsola examines effects of the epidemic on older Batswana and evaluates the effectiveness of his country's Community Home-Based Care programme against the programme's objectives, with special reference to the situation of older persons as primary caregivers to PWAs and AIDS orphans. He concludes that the situation of older carers calls for strong and urgent policy action to assist this highly vulnerable and marginalized group in its critical and valuable role and function as carers. In her paper on the provision of housing and care for older persons in Zambia, Sichingabula considers implications of the anticipated increases in AIDS morbidity and mortality, in the form of an increased demand for formal housing and care by older Zambians in the face of diminished traditional support. Given effects of the country's Structural Adjustment Programme and the Zambian government's inability to expand provision of formal support for the older population, the author makes recommendations for initiatives which NGOs can undertake towards meeting the needs and improving the quality of life of older persons. Next, Shaibu examines the experiences of caregivers to older persons in Botswana within a context of pervasive, abject poverty and multiple, unmet basic needs. The author notes how the HIV I AIDS epidemic, in addition to other social forces, impacts family structures and the capacity of Batswana to care for older relatives. In their paper, authors Patel, Steyn, Charlton, Bourne, Laubscher, Fourie and Jooste describe the risk-factor profile for chronic diseases of life-style, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity, in the older black population of Cape Town and compare it with risk profiles in other South African ethnic groups. The authors note that although the study population is still at low risk of cardiovascular disease - for example, demographic changes, including urbanisation and the adoption of urban life-styles, are likely to lead to an increase in chronic morbidity in future older cohorts in this population. In a second paper, Sichingabula assesses the physical and social environment of Divine Providence Home, a residential care facility for destitute older persons in Lusaka, Zambia. She draws practitioners' attention to the prudence of incorporating design features in facilities built for older persons which enhance the users' mobility, independence and quality of life. She also highlights a lack of social stimulation and the inactivity of the residents at the home. The author makes the point that given an anticipated increased demand for admission to residential care facilities as a result of AIDS-related deaths and loss of traditional support for older persons, living environments in these facilities must be optimized. In sum, the AIDS-related research papers in this number highlight a need to identify and to strengthen social and care systems which can assist older persons in Africa, as traditional systems are increasingly affected by demographic forces, particularly the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemics. Finally, Moller reviews a recent, landmark Help Age International report (1999), which is a compilation of 15 papers on ageing in developing countries and challenges facing research, policy and practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8080 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012914
- Description: [From Editorial] Four of the five articles in this issue either deal explicitly with or refer to the effects of the AIDS epidemics in the authors' countries. The fifth paper deals with late-life chronic diseases of life-style. In the first paper, Akinsola examines effects of the epidemic on older Batswana and evaluates the effectiveness of his country's Community Home-Based Care programme against the programme's objectives, with special reference to the situation of older persons as primary caregivers to PWAs and AIDS orphans. He concludes that the situation of older carers calls for strong and urgent policy action to assist this highly vulnerable and marginalized group in its critical and valuable role and function as carers. In her paper on the provision of housing and care for older persons in Zambia, Sichingabula considers implications of the anticipated increases in AIDS morbidity and mortality, in the form of an increased demand for formal housing and care by older Zambians in the face of diminished traditional support. Given effects of the country's Structural Adjustment Programme and the Zambian government's inability to expand provision of formal support for the older population, the author makes recommendations for initiatives which NGOs can undertake towards meeting the needs and improving the quality of life of older persons. Next, Shaibu examines the experiences of caregivers to older persons in Botswana within a context of pervasive, abject poverty and multiple, unmet basic needs. The author notes how the HIV I AIDS epidemic, in addition to other social forces, impacts family structures and the capacity of Batswana to care for older relatives. In their paper, authors Patel, Steyn, Charlton, Bourne, Laubscher, Fourie and Jooste describe the risk-factor profile for chronic diseases of life-style, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity, in the older black population of Cape Town and compare it with risk profiles in other South African ethnic groups. The authors note that although the study population is still at low risk of cardiovascular disease - for example, demographic changes, including urbanisation and the adoption of urban life-styles, are likely to lead to an increase in chronic morbidity in future older cohorts in this population. In a second paper, Sichingabula assesses the physical and social environment of Divine Providence Home, a residential care facility for destitute older persons in Lusaka, Zambia. She draws practitioners' attention to the prudence of incorporating design features in facilities built for older persons which enhance the users' mobility, independence and quality of life. She also highlights a lack of social stimulation and the inactivity of the residents at the home. The author makes the point that given an anticipated increased demand for admission to residential care facilities as a result of AIDS-related deaths and loss of traditional support for older persons, living environments in these facilities must be optimized. In sum, the AIDS-related research papers in this number highlight a need to identify and to strengthen social and care systems which can assist older persons in Africa, as traditional systems are increasingly affected by demographic forces, particularly the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemics. Finally, Moller reviews a recent, landmark Help Age International report (1999), which is a compilation of 15 papers on ageing in developing countries and challenges facing research, policy and practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 4, number 1, April 1995
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Møller, Valerie (editor), HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012862
- Description: [From Editorial]The sixth number of SA. IG includes varied and interesting contributions which will appeal to researchers and practitioners alike. It is fitting that precisely a year after the first fully democratic elections were held in South Africa. an article by M0ller on voter education of older Africans should be included in this number. M0ller has captured the euphoria of the older first-time voters in her selection of quotations from media reports on the voting. She concludes in her article that for these older South Africans who waited over 40 years to be enfranchised, voting was experienced as a particularly fulfilling moment in their lives. In an original paper Burman examines the findings of a study on the nature and extent of child care rendered by older coloured women in the Cape Peninsula - either to grandchildren. or to the children of other relatives or non-relatives. Burman considers the economic implications of the care which the women provide and finds that very few benefit financially. On the contrary, she notes a downward, rather than an expected upward flow of wealth, whereby social old-age pensioners share their pension money with other members of the household, including the grandchildren for whom they care. Burman concludes that not only are intergenerational relations strengthened by older women remaining in the family structure and caring for young children but through their pensions they enjoy considerable status in the household. Three practice items are included in this number. Working within a social-work framework, Howes has developed a monitoring instrument for use in the case management of older clients in the community. She reviews recent literature on case management and introduces the concept to South African practitioners, indicating its potential usefulness in a restructured service-delivery system in South Africa. She argues that to address the backlog in service delivery in developing and rural communities. and in view of limited resources and other reasons which discourage institutional care. case management is a means of rendering and co-ordinating cost-effective care to older persons in the community. , Authors Amosun, Mazarire and Mawere examine the pattern of utilization of physiotherapy services by elderly Zimbabweans at a central hospital in Harare. They establish baseline data on the medical conditions for which the patients received physiotherapy. The authors highlight the need for adequate information in these areas in African countries. In the third practice item, Tooke raises the issue of developing and providing training for carers in homes for the aged. He reports on the training methodology which he has developed for this category of worker, and calls for the setting of standards for such training and the institution of procedures to ensure that standardized training of carers is carried out in homes. The poor training of carers. or a lack of training for this cadre of workers has been mooted as a factor which contributes to the mis-treatment or abuse of residents in homes (Conradie & Charlton. 1992 ). Historically, South African nursing bodies have not recognized these workers and have opposed formal training that might equip them to perform tasks done by student nurses (enrolled nursing auxiliaries). In post-election South Africa new cadres of workers increasingly need to be trained and employed. as part and parcel of the goals of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). which includes not only training citizens but also creating work and career opportunities for all. To ascertain the present attitudes of national nursing bodies towards the training of carers. the South African Nursing Council and the South African Nursing Association were invited to reply to the proposals in Dr Tooke's brief. Their replies are published as rejoinders to the brief. Finally, this number of SAJG also carries its first book review. Valerie Moller reviews the new publication of US authors Steven M. Albert and Maria G. Cattell. titled Old age in global perspective: cross-cultural and cross-national views. The book, which adopts a multidisciplinary approach, presents ethnographic case studies and evidence from cross-national surveys to assess variation in the experience of ageing and old age. Møller concludes that Southern African readers will gain many insights from the book, to better understand the complexities of ageing in their own society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012862
- Description: [From Editorial]The sixth number of SA. IG includes varied and interesting contributions which will appeal to researchers and practitioners alike. It is fitting that precisely a year after the first fully democratic elections were held in South Africa. an article by M0ller on voter education of older Africans should be included in this number. M0ller has captured the euphoria of the older first-time voters in her selection of quotations from media reports on the voting. She concludes in her article that for these older South Africans who waited over 40 years to be enfranchised, voting was experienced as a particularly fulfilling moment in their lives. In an original paper Burman examines the findings of a study on the nature and extent of child care rendered by older coloured women in the Cape Peninsula - either to grandchildren. or to the children of other relatives or non-relatives. Burman considers the economic implications of the care which the women provide and finds that very few benefit financially. On the contrary, she notes a downward, rather than an expected upward flow of wealth, whereby social old-age pensioners share their pension money with other members of the household, including the grandchildren for whom they care. Burman concludes that not only are intergenerational relations strengthened by older women remaining in the family structure and caring for young children but through their pensions they enjoy considerable status in the household. Three practice items are included in this number. Working within a social-work framework, Howes has developed a monitoring instrument for use in the case management of older clients in the community. She reviews recent literature on case management and introduces the concept to South African practitioners, indicating its potential usefulness in a restructured service-delivery system in South Africa. She argues that to address the backlog in service delivery in developing and rural communities. and in view of limited resources and other reasons which discourage institutional care. case management is a means of rendering and co-ordinating cost-effective care to older persons in the community. , Authors Amosun, Mazarire and Mawere examine the pattern of utilization of physiotherapy services by elderly Zimbabweans at a central hospital in Harare. They establish baseline data on the medical conditions for which the patients received physiotherapy. The authors highlight the need for adequate information in these areas in African countries. In the third practice item, Tooke raises the issue of developing and providing training for carers in homes for the aged. He reports on the training methodology which he has developed for this category of worker, and calls for the setting of standards for such training and the institution of procedures to ensure that standardized training of carers is carried out in homes. The poor training of carers. or a lack of training for this cadre of workers has been mooted as a factor which contributes to the mis-treatment or abuse of residents in homes (Conradie & Charlton. 1992 ). Historically, South African nursing bodies have not recognized these workers and have opposed formal training that might equip them to perform tasks done by student nurses (enrolled nursing auxiliaries). In post-election South Africa new cadres of workers increasingly need to be trained and employed. as part and parcel of the goals of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). which includes not only training citizens but also creating work and career opportunities for all. To ascertain the present attitudes of national nursing bodies towards the training of carers. the South African Nursing Council and the South African Nursing Association were invited to reply to the proposals in Dr Tooke's brief. Their replies are published as rejoinders to the brief. Finally, this number of SAJG also carries its first book review. Valerie Moller reviews the new publication of US authors Steven M. Albert and Maria G. Cattell. titled Old age in global perspective: cross-cultural and cross-national views. The book, which adopts a multidisciplinary approach, presents ethnographic case studies and evidence from cross-national surveys to assess variation in the experience of ageing and old age. Møller concludes that Southern African readers will gain many insights from the book, to better understand the complexities of ageing in their own society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 3, number 1, April 1994
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Møller, Valerie (editor), HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8068 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012860
- Description: A typical case, culled from the author's own experience in the Third World, points towards a major crisis in ageing in the near future for many developing countries. Whilst the increase in numbers of elderly, both gross and proportionate, is well-known, it is not so widely realised that the increase in developing countries will far outstrip that in industrialized nations. Although the elderly were historically cared for within the traditional extended family structure, that system is now breaking down before the advance of migration and easy divorce. Many elderly persons are left alone in depopulated communities. Others fail to adapt in the rural-to-urban transition. Most developing countries have no firmly established services for the elderly. However, as awareness of the impending crisis increases, community groups assist the elderly in developing their own initiatives to avoid the local effects of the crisis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8068 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012860
- Description: A typical case, culled from the author's own experience in the Third World, points towards a major crisis in ageing in the near future for many developing countries. Whilst the increase in numbers of elderly, both gross and proportionate, is well-known, it is not so widely realised that the increase in developing countries will far outstrip that in industrialized nations. Although the elderly were historically cared for within the traditional extended family structure, that system is now breaking down before the advance of migration and easy divorce. Many elderly persons are left alone in depopulated communities. Others fail to adapt in the rural-to-urban transition. Most developing countries have no firmly established services for the elderly. However, as awareness of the impending crisis increases, community groups assist the elderly in developing their own initiatives to avoid the local effects of the crisis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
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