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 9, number 2, October 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:8081 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012915
- Description: [From Editorial] In this special issue of SAJG, an attempt is made to demonstrate how a selection of studies were conducted and how the research outcomes have been translated into action. Heslop, Agyarko, Adjetey-Sorsey and Mapetla give us a paper in which they have evaluated the methodology used in studies in Ghana and South Africa to determine the contributions of older people. After long periods of implementation and learning, this participatory-research methodology has become synonymous with HAl's research work. The authors take us through the methodology, describe the studies carried out in the two countries, and provide us with a vivid picture of not only the problems which older people in the countries face, but also the immense contribution which they make to the well-being of other people. The impact which this work has had in both countries is notable. Older participants in the studies have taken it upon themselves to advocate their rights, and the governments in the two countries have started to put measures in place to address some of the problems identified in the studies. The paper by Van Vuuren and Groenewald examines the pattern of expenditure of pension income by black pension beneficiaries in the Free State Province of South Africa, against a backdrop of these persons' living circumstances. It goes into detail about issues regarding the payment of pensions, pension sharing within households and expenditure of pension money on specific items, and challenges allegations that pensioners are frequently robbed of their pension money and that they lose this income to loan sharks. Some of the findings of this paper contrast with the findings of the HAl studies conducted with partners in the Northem, Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal provinces of South Africa (see the first paper in this issue by Heslop and colleagues). In their paper, Kowal, Wolfson and Dowd point out that there is a dearth of empirical and credible data on older people in Africa. Although some research has been conducted on this population, the authors note that by and large the available data derive from small samples, are scattered, and have neither been widely disseminated nor shared. The authors further note a lack of common approaches to data collection. Realising these gaps, the World Health Organisation arranged a workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe in January 2000, to begin a process to develop a minimum data set (MDS) for use by researchers in Africa. An overall aim of the MDS project is to provide data to influence policy and decision makers in various areas which affect older persons. , Needs-driven research on nutrition and ageing, carried out by HAl in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is reported by Busolo, Ismail and Peachey in their paper. Nutrition and ageing in developing countries is an area which bas received scant attention. The nutritional requirements of older persons in these countries have not only been inadequately investigated but as a result, nutrition practitioners in various settings simply shoot in the dark. The authors take us down the path which the research took, from bow the needs were identified, to how the research was conducted, to how an intervention programme was set up. They give us some key findings of the research, describe the dissemination process and the application of the findings, and suggest a way forward. An Africa-wide programme currently being implemented as a direct result of this work is aimed at providing knowledge and information on the nutritional requirements of older people to key nutrition institutes, older people's organisations, N GOs (particularly those working in emergency situations), donors and governments. HelpAge International earlier conducted research in the Magu district of Tanzania on the plight of older women who are victimised on suspicion of their being witches (cf. Forrester Kibuga, 1999). Forrester Kibuga and Dianga now draw on this work in their paper. The authors take us through facts pertaining to the witchcraft-related killings, some of the problems which older people in the district face, the changing roles of older people in that area, beliefs and customs of the communities, and the stance of the government and the church on witchcraft. The dynamics of gender issues are also discussed. Following on this research, HAl designed and is now implementing a programme aimed at addressing some of the factors which lead up to these killings and developing sustainable structures to protect older people from violence. In his paper, Gorman draws on the work of HAl in various parts of the world, particularly in Africa - including Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya. He argues that violence against older women and men in Africa cannot be attributed to a single, straight-forward problem but must be understood within a complex web that touches on history, family structures, and social and economic factors. He makes practical suggestions on what needs to be done to deal with the problem of violence. HelpAge International will soon be implementing an Africa-wide programme as a response to some of the issues which have been raised in its research on violence. While there is a clear need for more research on ageing in Africa, the research should not be done in a vacuum. There is a simultaneous need for greater collaboration and sharing of research results, and perhaps most importantly, for more action based on research outcomes. At the end of the day researchers should never forget that they have an ethical commitment to their subjects, to society and to their colleagues. , Thanks are due to Karen Peachey and Alex Dianga in the HAl Africa Regional Development Centre for the co-ordination of this special issue. Special thanks are due to Monica Ferreira for dedicating the issue to the experience and work of HAl, and for her commitment to addressing issues pertaining to ageing in Africa. She has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of not only this issue of SAJG but of previous issues as well. I have found her a pillar of support and a pleasure to work with. Tavengwa M. Nhongo.
- 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:8081 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012915
- Description: [From Editorial] In this special issue of SAJG, an attempt is made to demonstrate how a selection of studies were conducted and how the research outcomes have been translated into action. Heslop, Agyarko, Adjetey-Sorsey and Mapetla give us a paper in which they have evaluated the methodology used in studies in Ghana and South Africa to determine the contributions of older people. After long periods of implementation and learning, this participatory-research methodology has become synonymous with HAl's research work. The authors take us through the methodology, describe the studies carried out in the two countries, and provide us with a vivid picture of not only the problems which older people in the countries face, but also the immense contribution which they make to the well-being of other people. The impact which this work has had in both countries is notable. Older participants in the studies have taken it upon themselves to advocate their rights, and the governments in the two countries have started to put measures in place to address some of the problems identified in the studies. The paper by Van Vuuren and Groenewald examines the pattern of expenditure of pension income by black pension beneficiaries in the Free State Province of South Africa, against a backdrop of these persons' living circumstances. It goes into detail about issues regarding the payment of pensions, pension sharing within households and expenditure of pension money on specific items, and challenges allegations that pensioners are frequently robbed of their pension money and that they lose this income to loan sharks. Some of the findings of this paper contrast with the findings of the HAl studies conducted with partners in the Northem, Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal provinces of South Africa (see the first paper in this issue by Heslop and colleagues). In their paper, Kowal, Wolfson and Dowd point out that there is a dearth of empirical and credible data on older people in Africa. Although some research has been conducted on this population, the authors note that by and large the available data derive from small samples, are scattered, and have neither been widely disseminated nor shared. The authors further note a lack of common approaches to data collection. Realising these gaps, the World Health Organisation arranged a workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe in January 2000, to begin a process to develop a minimum data set (MDS) for use by researchers in Africa. An overall aim of the MDS project is to provide data to influence policy and decision makers in various areas which affect older persons. , Needs-driven research on nutrition and ageing, carried out by HAl in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is reported by Busolo, Ismail and Peachey in their paper. Nutrition and ageing in developing countries is an area which bas received scant attention. The nutritional requirements of older persons in these countries have not only been inadequately investigated but as a result, nutrition practitioners in various settings simply shoot in the dark. The authors take us down the path which the research took, from bow the needs were identified, to how the research was conducted, to how an intervention programme was set up. They give us some key findings of the research, describe the dissemination process and the application of the findings, and suggest a way forward. An Africa-wide programme currently being implemented as a direct result of this work is aimed at providing knowledge and information on the nutritional requirements of older people to key nutrition institutes, older people's organisations, N GOs (particularly those working in emergency situations), donors and governments. HelpAge International earlier conducted research in the Magu district of Tanzania on the plight of older women who are victimised on suspicion of their being witches (cf. Forrester Kibuga, 1999). Forrester Kibuga and Dianga now draw on this work in their paper. The authors take us through facts pertaining to the witchcraft-related killings, some of the problems which older people in the district face, the changing roles of older people in that area, beliefs and customs of the communities, and the stance of the government and the church on witchcraft. The dynamics of gender issues are also discussed. Following on this research, HAl designed and is now implementing a programme aimed at addressing some of the factors which lead up to these killings and developing sustainable structures to protect older people from violence. In his paper, Gorman draws on the work of HAl in various parts of the world, particularly in Africa - including Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya. He argues that violence against older women and men in Africa cannot be attributed to a single, straight-forward problem but must be understood within a complex web that touches on history, family structures, and social and economic factors. He makes practical suggestions on what needs to be done to deal with the problem of violence. HelpAge International will soon be implementing an Africa-wide programme as a response to some of the issues which have been raised in its research on violence. While there is a clear need for more research on ageing in Africa, the research should not be done in a vacuum. There is a simultaneous need for greater collaboration and sharing of research results, and perhaps most importantly, for more action based on research outcomes. At the end of the day researchers should never forget that they have an ethical commitment to their subjects, to society and to their colleagues. , Thanks are due to Karen Peachey and Alex Dianga in the HAl Africa Regional Development Centre for the co-ordination of this special issue. Special thanks are due to Monica Ferreira for dedicating the issue to the experience and work of HAl, and for her commitment to addressing issues pertaining to ageing in Africa. She has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of not only this issue of SAJG but of previous issues as well. I have found her a pillar of support and a pleasure to work with. Tavengwa M. Nhongo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 8, number 1, April 1999
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8078 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012912
- Description: [From Editorial] Several contemporary building blocks of African gerontology are used in the papers in this number of SAJG. First, Madzingira draws on 1990s' demographic data sources to examine selected levels, patterns and trends of population ageing in Zimbabwe. She briefly outlines implications of population ageing for socio-economic development in the country, and highlights critical areas such as the future of the family as a safety net for elders, inadequate social-security measures, health care provision, trends in consumption of goods and services, and the ageing population structure in the rural areas. Although based on a descriptive modernization theory model, the paper reflects the continued usefulness of the theory in highlighting the effects of structural lag, but avoids a reliance on stereotypes. Staying in Zimbabwe, Mupedziswa takes up feminist issues and critiques the plight of older female informal-sector traders and their gender-based cumulative disadvantage. The author pertinently and sympathetically examines the women's diminished access to power across the lifespan and their dilemma as they become increasingly frail. Refreshingly, he approaches his investigation from a political economy perspective, and considers the interdependence of this gender-differentiated age cohort and the social structure. Moving to Ghana, Adeku in his paper examines socio-demographic factors in the marital status of older persons. His findings highlight the greater proportion of widows in the older population, which gender differential he explains is a function of both a high mortality rate in older men and remarriage. He also specifically examines gender-based inheritance and other wealth transfer patterns - and hence uses both social exchange theory and political economy theory concepts for explanation, as well as draws on feminist theories to analyse the situations of the older women. Staying in Ghana, Darkwa gives his views on the health-care needs and challenges of older Ghanaians who reside in rural areas. Again, the author addresses a political economy issue, and makes suggestions on how the government could bridge the urban-rural health gap and improve both preventive and curative health-care service delivery to the vast majority of the older Ghanaian population which lives in the rural areas. He also introduces an intriguing notion of the role that communication technology can play in the future provision of health care to Africa's elderly. Finally, revisiting demographic and health transitions in Africa, their implications and related issues, Adamchak reviews the World Health Organization's 1997 report on Ageing in Africa, authored by Nana Araba Apt in Ghana. Adamchak evaluates this "overview" report and its relevance, and examines some of the historical and contemporary African gerontology building blocks with which the report is constructed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8078 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012912
- Description: [From Editorial] Several contemporary building blocks of African gerontology are used in the papers in this number of SAJG. First, Madzingira draws on 1990s' demographic data sources to examine selected levels, patterns and trends of population ageing in Zimbabwe. She briefly outlines implications of population ageing for socio-economic development in the country, and highlights critical areas such as the future of the family as a safety net for elders, inadequate social-security measures, health care provision, trends in consumption of goods and services, and the ageing population structure in the rural areas. Although based on a descriptive modernization theory model, the paper reflects the continued usefulness of the theory in highlighting the effects of structural lag, but avoids a reliance on stereotypes. Staying in Zimbabwe, Mupedziswa takes up feminist issues and critiques the plight of older female informal-sector traders and their gender-based cumulative disadvantage. The author pertinently and sympathetically examines the women's diminished access to power across the lifespan and their dilemma as they become increasingly frail. Refreshingly, he approaches his investigation from a political economy perspective, and considers the interdependence of this gender-differentiated age cohort and the social structure. Moving to Ghana, Adeku in his paper examines socio-demographic factors in the marital status of older persons. His findings highlight the greater proportion of widows in the older population, which gender differential he explains is a function of both a high mortality rate in older men and remarriage. He also specifically examines gender-based inheritance and other wealth transfer patterns - and hence uses both social exchange theory and political economy theory concepts for explanation, as well as draws on feminist theories to analyse the situations of the older women. Staying in Ghana, Darkwa gives his views on the health-care needs and challenges of older Ghanaians who reside in rural areas. Again, the author addresses a political economy issue, and makes suggestions on how the government could bridge the urban-rural health gap and improve both preventive and curative health-care service delivery to the vast majority of the older Ghanaian population which lives in the rural areas. He also introduces an intriguing notion of the role that communication technology can play in the future provision of health care to Africa's elderly. Finally, revisiting demographic and health transitions in Africa, their implications and related issues, Adamchak reviews the World Health Organization's 1997 report on Ageing in Africa, authored by Nana Araba Apt in Ghana. Adamchak evaluates this "overview" report and its relevance, and examines some of the historical and contemporary African gerontology building blocks with which the report is constructed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 8, number 2, October 1999
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012913
- Description: [From Editorial] The papers included in this special issue highlight some of the issues of elderliness and old age in Africa outlined above. Using different disciplinary approaches, the papers should appeal to age-old researchers in varied fields. In a discussion of old age and ageing in pre-industrial Africa, Sagner moves away from the rather simplistic images of old age which still beset many African gerontologists. Drawing on the Xhosa-speaking peoples in the 19th century he argues that the experience of later life was shaped by gender, kinship and "class" differences as well as by biographical factors, making for a variety of later-life experiences. He points out that old age was not a clear-cut period of life with unique demographic, economic or social characteristics/ conditions, set apart from earlier life phases. However, he notes that (deep) old age was firmly tied to religious and metaphysical beliefs. He argues that loss of bodily functions in (deep) old age was hardly stigmatizing as the loss was socially constructed as a sign of increasing other-worldliness. By linking old age with superhuman agency, the ideological hegemony of old age remained unbroken, despite bodily decline, even though the latter could herald loss of this-worldly status and, finally, abandonment in the bush. Moller and Sotshangaye discuss contemporary relations between Zulu grandmothers and grandchildren in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. Though the grandmothers whom the two authors interviewed expressed deep concern about losing the respect of their grandchildren, in the eyes of the latter old age is, surprisingly, not denigrated as a possible source of moral guidance. Moller and Sotshangaye point out that strains in the grandmothers-grandchildren relationship are located in the rapidly changing social context which easily tends to outdate the elders' teaching, rather than in the intergenerational politics of the family per se. Paradoxically, however, macro-social changes have also led to a re-strengthening of the grandmothers' moral authority. The paper also shows that successful ageing- in the sense of one's personal happiness in old age - is, at least partly, relational defined. , Moving northwards up the subcontinent to Mozambique, da Silva records the results of a case study on the situation of older people who had to cope with several long-standing wars and natural disasters in their lifetimes. She analyses the repercussions which endured displacements, forced migrations and other war-related life-course experiences had on the lives of today's elderly, both at the personal and social level. In detailing social policy propositions she reminds us that there is a fundamental divergence between how older people are represented in some authoritative discourses and the social reality of old age. To overcome the prevailing negative representations of old age is of utmost practical importance, as the problematicity image encourages non-participatory government approaches and hinders thus the empowerment of the elderly. Turning to a methodological plane, Mommersteeg details some of the problems - and advantages - which the use of interpreters in qualitative research settings entail. In keeping with a hermeneutic approach, he shows that the interpreter is in fact a culture broker, rather than a mere provider of a linguistically correct translation. Mommersteeg's paper illustrates very well that interviews which are mediated through interpreters are not dialogically but triologically constituted, as are their "products" - the storied voices of the interviewees. In her article, Coetzee reports on exploratory field research in an old-age centre outside Bloemfontein in South Africa's Free State province. Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews she finds that elderly residents experience old age negatively. Though this subjective reality partly reflects the residents' difficulties in adjusting to their ageing bodies, it is mainly grounded in her subjects' difficulties to construct a framework within which their present position in the world could be instilled with personal/social meaning. Coetzee' s paper stresses both the relevance of a life course perspective and a gender-sensitive approach to the study of old-age experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012913
- Description: [From Editorial] The papers included in this special issue highlight some of the issues of elderliness and old age in Africa outlined above. Using different disciplinary approaches, the papers should appeal to age-old researchers in varied fields. In a discussion of old age and ageing in pre-industrial Africa, Sagner moves away from the rather simplistic images of old age which still beset many African gerontologists. Drawing on the Xhosa-speaking peoples in the 19th century he argues that the experience of later life was shaped by gender, kinship and "class" differences as well as by biographical factors, making for a variety of later-life experiences. He points out that old age was not a clear-cut period of life with unique demographic, economic or social characteristics/ conditions, set apart from earlier life phases. However, he notes that (deep) old age was firmly tied to religious and metaphysical beliefs. He argues that loss of bodily functions in (deep) old age was hardly stigmatizing as the loss was socially constructed as a sign of increasing other-worldliness. By linking old age with superhuman agency, the ideological hegemony of old age remained unbroken, despite bodily decline, even though the latter could herald loss of this-worldly status and, finally, abandonment in the bush. Moller and Sotshangaye discuss contemporary relations between Zulu grandmothers and grandchildren in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. Though the grandmothers whom the two authors interviewed expressed deep concern about losing the respect of their grandchildren, in the eyes of the latter old age is, surprisingly, not denigrated as a possible source of moral guidance. Moller and Sotshangaye point out that strains in the grandmothers-grandchildren relationship are located in the rapidly changing social context which easily tends to outdate the elders' teaching, rather than in the intergenerational politics of the family per se. Paradoxically, however, macro-social changes have also led to a re-strengthening of the grandmothers' moral authority. The paper also shows that successful ageing- in the sense of one's personal happiness in old age - is, at least partly, relational defined. , Moving northwards up the subcontinent to Mozambique, da Silva records the results of a case study on the situation of older people who had to cope with several long-standing wars and natural disasters in their lifetimes. She analyses the repercussions which endured displacements, forced migrations and other war-related life-course experiences had on the lives of today's elderly, both at the personal and social level. In detailing social policy propositions she reminds us that there is a fundamental divergence between how older people are represented in some authoritative discourses and the social reality of old age. To overcome the prevailing negative representations of old age is of utmost practical importance, as the problematicity image encourages non-participatory government approaches and hinders thus the empowerment of the elderly. Turning to a methodological plane, Mommersteeg details some of the problems - and advantages - which the use of interpreters in qualitative research settings entail. In keeping with a hermeneutic approach, he shows that the interpreter is in fact a culture broker, rather than a mere provider of a linguistically correct translation. Mommersteeg's paper illustrates very well that interviews which are mediated through interpreters are not dialogically but triologically constituted, as are their "products" - the storied voices of the interviewees. In her article, Coetzee reports on exploratory field research in an old-age centre outside Bloemfontein in South Africa's Free State province. Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews she finds that elderly residents experience old age negatively. Though this subjective reality partly reflects the residents' difficulties in adjusting to their ageing bodies, it is mainly grounded in her subjects' difficulties to construct a framework within which their present position in the world could be instilled with personal/social meaning. Coetzee' s paper stresses both the relevance of a life course perspective and a gender-sensitive approach to the study of old-age experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 7, number 1, April 1998
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012871
- Description: [From Editorial] Each of the papers in this number of SAJG deals with dilemmas and issues in the matter of public and private care for older persons in southern Africa. Three papers deal explicitly with South Africa's social-security system·- specifically the old-age pension. Two papers deal with residential care models. And a sixth paper examines informal caregiving. In an expansive overview of public finance and ageing in South Africa, Van der Berg examines budgetary expenditure on the older population and places the magnitude and function of the social-pension system in perspective. The author briefly traces the historical evolution of the system. In a paper based on extensive archival research, Sagner details the history of the pension from 1920 to 1960 and shows that numerous contemporary pension-related issues are no different to issues of past decades. In her paper, Oakley examines the effects of recent changes in social-welfare policy on the residents and administrators of a home for marginalized older people in a remote South African town. She contends that new policy erroneously assumes that marginalized and historically disadvantaged older individuals are able to live self-sufficiently within the bosom of family - in a spirit of ubuntu. Ackermann and Matebesi report on a study of the experiences of carers of older family members in an African township and consider how these carers, who have few resources, could be assisted and supported in their care giving tasks. Mupedziswa describes the nature and functioning of an alternative residential care model in Zimbabwe - a cooperative living scheme specifically established to enable destitute and socially-impoverished older people to co-reside in a safe and mutually-supportive environment. Moller gives readers an insightful update and analysis of the January 1998 pension payment debacle in the Eastern Cape Province, when the payment of more than 600 000 pensioners was delayed because of provincial-government management errors. Finally, SAJG welcomes Wilson's announcement in a letter to the editor of the establishment of AFRIT A, whose aims are to promote and to co-ordinate linkages between training and research initiatives on ageing and policy structures in African countries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012871
- Description: [From Editorial] Each of the papers in this number of SAJG deals with dilemmas and issues in the matter of public and private care for older persons in southern Africa. Three papers deal explicitly with South Africa's social-security system·- specifically the old-age pension. Two papers deal with residential care models. And a sixth paper examines informal caregiving. In an expansive overview of public finance and ageing in South Africa, Van der Berg examines budgetary expenditure on the older population and places the magnitude and function of the social-pension system in perspective. The author briefly traces the historical evolution of the system. In a paper based on extensive archival research, Sagner details the history of the pension from 1920 to 1960 and shows that numerous contemporary pension-related issues are no different to issues of past decades. In her paper, Oakley examines the effects of recent changes in social-welfare policy on the residents and administrators of a home for marginalized older people in a remote South African town. She contends that new policy erroneously assumes that marginalized and historically disadvantaged older individuals are able to live self-sufficiently within the bosom of family - in a spirit of ubuntu. Ackermann and Matebesi report on a study of the experiences of carers of older family members in an African township and consider how these carers, who have few resources, could be assisted and supported in their care giving tasks. Mupedziswa describes the nature and functioning of an alternative residential care model in Zimbabwe - a cooperative living scheme specifically established to enable destitute and socially-impoverished older people to co-reside in a safe and mutually-supportive environment. Moller gives readers an insightful update and analysis of the January 1998 pension payment debacle in the Eastern Cape Province, when the payment of more than 600 000 pensioners was delayed because of provincial-government management errors. Finally, SAJG welcomes Wilson's announcement in a letter to the editor of the establishment of AFRIT A, whose aims are to promote and to co-ordinate linkages between training and research initiatives on ageing and policy structures in African countries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 7, number 2, October 1998
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012911
- Description: [From Editorial] Articles in this Special Issue on health and ageing in Africa come from a broad spectrum of disciplines and the articles reflect a wide range of topics. Three contributions deal with the maintenance of good health. Remaining active is a key component of successful ageing which minimizes the loss of functional independence in the elderly. An investigation of the role of gender in the analysis of gait of older people by Macfarlane, Nicholson and Muller provides important methodological information which may be applied in practical outcomes-based assessments. The development of a reliable tool to assess gait, as a measure of lower-extremity function, is thus pertinent. There is growing evidence that good nutritional status is an important determinant of optimal cognitive and physical functioning in older people and influences both quality of life and health status. In a study of institutionalized elderly women in Cape Town, Charlton, Joosen and Jaffer report a high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin C status. The authors make out a case for low-dose micro-nutrient supplementation in residents of homes for the aged, particularly in homes where a cook-chill catering system is operated. They suggest that ongoing nutritional assessment should be an integral part of the care of older residents. In keeping with the topic of nutrition, Walker, a prolific author on public health issues in Africa over the past 50 years, has contributed a guest column in which he addresses the nutrition-ageing paradigm from an epidemiological viewpoint. He highlights opportunities for high-quality research on the association between life-style factors and healthy ageing in the continent. Moving on to a specific form of health-care delivery, Makoni examines language practices in the care that is rendered to older residents of a Cape Town nursing home. He describes barriers in communication between nursing staff and residents from different ethnic backgrounds, which compromise the quality of care that is rendered and which may result in conflict and tension between staff and residents. In her article, Tlou evaluates a community-based programme in which older women who live in rural areas of Botswana are trained to educate members of their communities in the prevention of the spread of the HIV I AIDS virus. The findings demonstrate the benefits of targeting lay persons for health education activities in rural Africa and the utilization of older persons, in this case women, as a valuable resource. The special issue also includes two opinion pieces and an item which opens debate. In separate contributions, Wilson and Duodu examine challenges facing effective health-care service delivery systems for older persons in African countries and express their opinions in this regard. Wilson's suggestions for multidisciplinary specialist teams, including incontinence teams, nutrition teams and vision teams, and for the development of training for lay people to become generic " rehabilitation assistants," are examples of appropriate community-based African solutions to health service delivery needs of the older population. Duodo makes similar suggestions to those of Wilson, specifically regarding geriatric care service delivery in Ghana. He also highlights the common practice of traditional self-medication in rural-dwelling older Ghanaians. Readers are invited to comment on, and indeed to augment, the authors' opinions in Letters to the Editor. To date, very little work has been done in South Africa on biological aspects of ageing. In a short contribution on the free radical theory of ageing, Van Rensburg and Potocnik open debate on this topic. Once again, readers are invited to contribute to debate in this area in letters to the editor, for publication in the following number of the journal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8077 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012911
- Description: [From Editorial] Articles in this Special Issue on health and ageing in Africa come from a broad spectrum of disciplines and the articles reflect a wide range of topics. Three contributions deal with the maintenance of good health. Remaining active is a key component of successful ageing which minimizes the loss of functional independence in the elderly. An investigation of the role of gender in the analysis of gait of older people by Macfarlane, Nicholson and Muller provides important methodological information which may be applied in practical outcomes-based assessments. The development of a reliable tool to assess gait, as a measure of lower-extremity function, is thus pertinent. There is growing evidence that good nutritional status is an important determinant of optimal cognitive and physical functioning in older people and influences both quality of life and health status. In a study of institutionalized elderly women in Cape Town, Charlton, Joosen and Jaffer report a high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin C status. The authors make out a case for low-dose micro-nutrient supplementation in residents of homes for the aged, particularly in homes where a cook-chill catering system is operated. They suggest that ongoing nutritional assessment should be an integral part of the care of older residents. In keeping with the topic of nutrition, Walker, a prolific author on public health issues in Africa over the past 50 years, has contributed a guest column in which he addresses the nutrition-ageing paradigm from an epidemiological viewpoint. He highlights opportunities for high-quality research on the association between life-style factors and healthy ageing in the continent. Moving on to a specific form of health-care delivery, Makoni examines language practices in the care that is rendered to older residents of a Cape Town nursing home. He describes barriers in communication between nursing staff and residents from different ethnic backgrounds, which compromise the quality of care that is rendered and which may result in conflict and tension between staff and residents. In her article, Tlou evaluates a community-based programme in which older women who live in rural areas of Botswana are trained to educate members of their communities in the prevention of the spread of the HIV I AIDS virus. The findings demonstrate the benefits of targeting lay persons for health education activities in rural Africa and the utilization of older persons, in this case women, as a valuable resource. The special issue also includes two opinion pieces and an item which opens debate. In separate contributions, Wilson and Duodu examine challenges facing effective health-care service delivery systems for older persons in African countries and express their opinions in this regard. Wilson's suggestions for multidisciplinary specialist teams, including incontinence teams, nutrition teams and vision teams, and for the development of training for lay people to become generic " rehabilitation assistants," are examples of appropriate community-based African solutions to health service delivery needs of the older population. Duodo makes similar suggestions to those of Wilson, specifically regarding geriatric care service delivery in Ghana. He also highlights the common practice of traditional self-medication in rural-dwelling older Ghanaians. Readers are invited to comment on, and indeed to augment, the authors' opinions in Letters to the Editor. To date, very little work has been done in South Africa on biological aspects of ageing. In a short contribution on the free radical theory of ageing, Van Rensburg and Potocnik open debate on this topic. Once again, readers are invited to contribute to debate in this area in letters to the editor, for publication in the following number of the journal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 6, number 1, April 1997
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012868
- Description: [From Editorial] A variety of papers covering interesting and relevant topics and emanating from several countries are included in this number. Togonu-Bickersteth examines levels of satisfaction with care received from sons and daughters of older Yoruba in rural Nigeria. She finds that contrary to expectations, older women are more satisfied than older men with the assistance received from children. Makoni examines the effects of Alzheimer's disease as the disease progresses on the conversational ability of an older second-language speaker. Cattell reports on exploratory research among Zulu grandmothers and granddaughters in KwaZulu-Natal and finds that older women continue to have important roles in the socialization of granddaughters, especially regarding sexual behaviour. Van Dokkum makes out a case for a durable power of attorney, not yet provided for in South African legislation, which can help to protect older citizens against malpractices or exploitation when, because of impaired mental functioning, they are no longer able to look after their affairs. Lefroy gives an update on the Special Dementia Unit as an alternative residential care facility for afflicted older Australians and examines the advantages of this type of accommodation for individuals. their families and society. Finally, Moller reviews a book written by Nana Araba Apt of Ghana. entitled Coping with old age in a changing Africa. She concludes that readers will learn much from Apt's ideas on building on indigenous institutions to meet the challenges of ageing in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012868
- Description: [From Editorial] A variety of papers covering interesting and relevant topics and emanating from several countries are included in this number. Togonu-Bickersteth examines levels of satisfaction with care received from sons and daughters of older Yoruba in rural Nigeria. She finds that contrary to expectations, older women are more satisfied than older men with the assistance received from children. Makoni examines the effects of Alzheimer's disease as the disease progresses on the conversational ability of an older second-language speaker. Cattell reports on exploratory research among Zulu grandmothers and granddaughters in KwaZulu-Natal and finds that older women continue to have important roles in the socialization of granddaughters, especially regarding sexual behaviour. Van Dokkum makes out a case for a durable power of attorney, not yet provided for in South African legislation, which can help to protect older citizens against malpractices or exploitation when, because of impaired mental functioning, they are no longer able to look after their affairs. Lefroy gives an update on the Special Dementia Unit as an alternative residential care facility for afflicted older Australians and examines the advantages of this type of accommodation for individuals. their families and society. Finally, Moller reviews a book written by Nana Araba Apt of Ghana. entitled Coping with old age in a changing Africa. She concludes that readers will learn much from Apt's ideas on building on indigenous institutions to meet the challenges of ageing in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 6, number 2, October 1997
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012870
- Description: [From Editorial] This Special Issue of the Journal comprises a selection of papers based on research on ageing in African countries, which were read at the Third Global Conference. The papers were revised and peer reviewed prior to acceptance by the Journal. The theme of the Special Issue is "Ageing in urban and rural Africa." Each of the papers included in the issue deals with a situation of ageing-in-place, a late-life migratory pattern, or the impact, or implications of social forces and social change on older Africans, in either an urban and/or a rural setting, or in both types of settings in Africa. The papers also draw together the main sub-themes and strands of the conference, particularly those relating to the family, ubuntu, urbanization, AIDS, and income security and poverty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012870
- Description: [From Editorial] This Special Issue of the Journal comprises a selection of papers based on research on ageing in African countries, which were read at the Third Global Conference. The papers were revised and peer reviewed prior to acceptance by the Journal. The theme of the Special Issue is "Ageing in urban and rural Africa." Each of the papers included in the issue deals with a situation of ageing-in-place, a late-life migratory pattern, or the impact, or implications of social forces and social change on older Africans, in either an urban and/or a rural setting, or in both types of settings in Africa. The papers also draw together the main sub-themes and strands of the conference, particularly those relating to the family, ubuntu, urbanization, AIDS, and income security and poverty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 5, number 1, April 1996
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8072 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012865
- Description: [From Editorial] This issue comprises a transdisciplinary mix of interesting and relevant papers ranging from a community-development intervention, to gerontolinguistics, to guidelines for new legislation, to community services in China. The issue begins with an article on infrastructure and equity for the elderly, in which authors Ross, Lerer and Phillips investigate the attitudes of older residents of Elim, a village situated in South Africa's Western Cape province, towards electrification of their village and homes. The creation of basic infrastructure in historically-disadvantaged areas throughout South Africa is a priority under the government's RDP. However, in this case study of Elim, the utility company which provides electricity to the village failed to consult the elderly residents on the developmental intervention and the benefits which electrification might have for them. The majority of the older residents who were interviewed were consequently negative about this new energy source. The advantages which electricity has over other fuels have distinct health and other developmental benefits, and in rural households older members are important decision makers on energy use. The study's findings indicate that developmental interventions in ruralbased communities should include a social-marketing component targeting older members of the community. The article by Makoni on discourse practices in first-time encounters between old and young Xhosa-speaking women represents an exciting development in gerontological research in the Southern African region. As far as we know, this is a first report on a linguistics study in an older population in the region. In his analysis of the conversations, Makoni notes the sociohistorical background against which the old women try to retain status and respect. He points out that while the elderly are a marginalized group, the youth in South African society have become empowered through their contributions to the political changes, which along with other social changes are seen by some to destabilize traditional seniority respect norms. , In his article Van Dokkum makes out a case for the development of legislation to protect older South Africans against abuse. He uses examples of new South African legislation to deter child abuse and vast legislation in the United States to protect older Americans, in outlining a proposal for local activists to campaign for adequate protection of elderly citizens. Zhu gives us an update on a massive community social-services programme for older people being implemented in the People's Republic of China. The programme partly aims to assist an increasing number of older people who find that they are no longer able to live with kin and must live independently. The programme already serves a staggering proportion of China's 104 million persons aged 60 years and above, although it is estimated that it currently only meets 30 percent of the demand. pensions and household structure in Namibia by Adamchak published in SAJG Volume 4, No 2 (October 1995), and Adamchak's response are welcome additions to this number. The journal encourages debate on papers that it publishes, and the letters also reflect the development and growth of gerontology and research on ageing in the Southern African region. Finally, gerontolinguist Makoni reviews Hamilton's (1994) book in which the author analyses her conversations with Elsie, an Alzheimer's disease patient in a "total institution" (Goffman, 1961). The book contributes to understanding of losses and changes in language use in sufferers of this disease as the dementia progresses. Makoni proposes topics for studies on this subject which might be carried out in Southern African countries, where the majority of dementing older Africans are cared for within the community and not in a long-term care institution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8072 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012865
- Description: [From Editorial] This issue comprises a transdisciplinary mix of interesting and relevant papers ranging from a community-development intervention, to gerontolinguistics, to guidelines for new legislation, to community services in China. The issue begins with an article on infrastructure and equity for the elderly, in which authors Ross, Lerer and Phillips investigate the attitudes of older residents of Elim, a village situated in South Africa's Western Cape province, towards electrification of their village and homes. The creation of basic infrastructure in historically-disadvantaged areas throughout South Africa is a priority under the government's RDP. However, in this case study of Elim, the utility company which provides electricity to the village failed to consult the elderly residents on the developmental intervention and the benefits which electrification might have for them. The majority of the older residents who were interviewed were consequently negative about this new energy source. The advantages which electricity has over other fuels have distinct health and other developmental benefits, and in rural households older members are important decision makers on energy use. The study's findings indicate that developmental interventions in ruralbased communities should include a social-marketing component targeting older members of the community. The article by Makoni on discourse practices in first-time encounters between old and young Xhosa-speaking women represents an exciting development in gerontological research in the Southern African region. As far as we know, this is a first report on a linguistics study in an older population in the region. In his analysis of the conversations, Makoni notes the sociohistorical background against which the old women try to retain status and respect. He points out that while the elderly are a marginalized group, the youth in South African society have become empowered through their contributions to the political changes, which along with other social changes are seen by some to destabilize traditional seniority respect norms. , In his article Van Dokkum makes out a case for the development of legislation to protect older South Africans against abuse. He uses examples of new South African legislation to deter child abuse and vast legislation in the United States to protect older Americans, in outlining a proposal for local activists to campaign for adequate protection of elderly citizens. Zhu gives us an update on a massive community social-services programme for older people being implemented in the People's Republic of China. The programme partly aims to assist an increasing number of older people who find that they are no longer able to live with kin and must live independently. The programme already serves a staggering proportion of China's 104 million persons aged 60 years and above, although it is estimated that it currently only meets 30 percent of the demand. pensions and household structure in Namibia by Adamchak published in SAJG Volume 4, No 2 (October 1995), and Adamchak's response are welcome additions to this number. The journal encourages debate on papers that it publishes, and the letters also reflect the development and growth of gerontology and research on ageing in the Southern African region. Finally, gerontolinguist Makoni reviews Hamilton's (1994) book in which the author analyses her conversations with Elsie, an Alzheimer's disease patient in a "total institution" (Goffman, 1961). The book contributes to understanding of losses and changes in language use in sufferers of this disease as the dementia progresses. Makoni proposes topics for studies on this subject which might be carried out in Southern African countries, where the majority of dementing older Africans are cared for within the community and not in a long-term care institution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 5, number 2, October 1996
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012867
- Description: The October 1996 number of SAJG is a special issue on "Gender, ageing and empowerment in Africa." The guest editor of the special issue is Maria Cattell of Millersville University, Pennsylvania, USA, who has conducted substantial research on older Kenyans and more recently on Zulu grandmothers. Dr Cattell is the President of the global Association of Anthropology and Gerontology (AAGE). The issue will comprise research papers from authors in several African countries, and will provide valuable data and experience of ageing in Africa for transnational comparison.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8073 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012867
- Description: The October 1996 number of SAJG is a special issue on "Gender, ageing and empowerment in Africa." The guest editor of the special issue is Maria Cattell of Millersville University, Pennsylvania, USA, who has conducted substantial research on older Kenyans and more recently on Zulu grandmothers. Dr Cattell is the President of the global Association of Anthropology and Gerontology (AAGE). The issue will comprise research papers from authors in several African countries, and will provide valuable data and experience of ageing in Africa for transnational comparison.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
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 4, number 2, October 1995
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8071 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012864
- Description: This special issue of SAJG on "The family and ageing in Africa" marks yet another step in the annals of the African Gerontological Society (AGES). The first major step was taken in December 1993 when the society held its first workshop in Accra, Ghana to discuss an agenda on ageing. The results of the workshop were published under the title Effective responses to ageing in Africa by the year 2000 (Apt, Bester & Insley, 1995). Twenty years ago it would have been an impossible task to assemble African scientists and social welfare practitioners to discuss the subject of ageing. Very little researched information existed then and many African governments were likely to assert that ageing was no problem in their country. Even in the 1980s a great deal of scepticism existed in Africa about the need for African gerontology research. Today, and taking a cue from the deliberations of the first AGES workshop, there is no country in our region that is not confronted with the negative impacts of development and urbanization as their country charts its route towards modernization. Even though an ageing agenda still has a low profile on the economic desks of many African governments, the realisation that there are indeed difficulties to be overcome regarding the care of elderly people in Africa is widespread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8071 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012864
- Description: This special issue of SAJG on "The family and ageing in Africa" marks yet another step in the annals of the African Gerontological Society (AGES). The first major step was taken in December 1993 when the society held its first workshop in Accra, Ghana to discuss an agenda on ageing. The results of the workshop were published under the title Effective responses to ageing in Africa by the year 2000 (Apt, Bester & Insley, 1995). Twenty years ago it would have been an impossible task to assemble African scientists and social welfare practitioners to discuss the subject of ageing. Very little researched information existed then and many African governments were likely to assert that ageing was no problem in their country. Even in the 1980s a great deal of scepticism existed in Africa about the need for African gerontology research. Today, and taking a cue from the deliberations of the first AGES workshop, there is no country in our region that is not confronted with the negative impacts of development and urbanization as their country charts its route towards modernization. Even though an ageing agenda still has a low profile on the economic desks of many African governments, the realisation that there are indeed difficulties to be overcome regarding the care of elderly people in Africa is widespread.
- 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
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 3, number 2, October 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:8069 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012861
- Description: Intergenerational relations is not a new focus area of study in Southern Africa. Trends in changing relationships between age cohorts have been traced in family, migration and urbanization studies. This special issue of the Southern African Journal of Gerontology presents a case for studying intergenerational relations from a gerontological perspective. The issue includes work from leading international gerontologists and experts in the field of intergenerational relations writing on the United States. Two further contributions come from other parts of Africa - Ghana and Kenya. The articles on intergenerational relations in South Africa, tellingly, come from outside the field of gerontology, a point to be picked up below.
- 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:8069 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012861
- Description: Intergenerational relations is not a new focus area of study in Southern Africa. Trends in changing relationships between age cohorts have been traced in family, migration and urbanization studies. This special issue of the Southern African Journal of Gerontology presents a case for studying intergenerational relations from a gerontological perspective. The issue includes work from leading international gerontologists and experts in the field of intergenerational relations writing on the United States. Two further contributions come from other parts of Africa - Ghana and Kenya. The articles on intergenerational relations in South Africa, tellingly, come from outside the field of gerontology, a point to be picked up below.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 2, number 1, April 1993
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Møller, Valerie (editor), HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012668
- Description: The second number of SAJG again presents knowledge on ageing and the aged which can be useful in the development of better practices and the formulation of better policies in southern African countries. A focus of the articles in this number is on housing and living arrangements. Nyanguru and Peil writing on Zimbabwe give a finely detailed description of the housing situation of the elderly population using survey material. They draw on comparisons with other developing contexts to place the Zimbabwean housing situation in perspective. At the outset, the authors note that the impact of disability on the elderly is directly related to the nature and quality of housing. In conclusion to their overview of urban and rural housing circumstances. they recommend a more appropriate housing policy for the elderly which makes provision for home maintenance and home-help services to assist the elderly to stay in their homes. Moller re-analyses data collected for South Africa's baseline study of the elderly to explore the possible benefits for South Africa's elderly when they live with adult children. Her comparative case studies are based on the assumption that black elders might prefer to live with sons as traditional custom dictates and whites would usually choose to live independently according to Western custom. Chen systematically explores the question of which children co-reside with elderly parents in Taiwan using a large national database and sophisticated multivariate analyses. He also raises the question whether filial piety is on the decline when children no longer co-reside with their parents. The last article in this issue picks up a subject relating to quality of life-a topic introduced in an article in the first issue of SAJG. Authors Gillespie and Louw wish to re-open the debate on activity and quality of life. They pose the provocative question: Does a decline in activity in the elderly really dampen morale? Preliminary results from the pilot study undertaken by the authors reported in the article yielded inconclusive results. However the pilot study involved only a small sample and is presented to make the point and whet our appetite for further research and debate. In support of Gillespie and Louw's call to re-open the debate on the activity question we contribute further South African evidence which allows for various interpretations
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012668
- Description: The second number of SAJG again presents knowledge on ageing and the aged which can be useful in the development of better practices and the formulation of better policies in southern African countries. A focus of the articles in this number is on housing and living arrangements. Nyanguru and Peil writing on Zimbabwe give a finely detailed description of the housing situation of the elderly population using survey material. They draw on comparisons with other developing contexts to place the Zimbabwean housing situation in perspective. At the outset, the authors note that the impact of disability on the elderly is directly related to the nature and quality of housing. In conclusion to their overview of urban and rural housing circumstances. they recommend a more appropriate housing policy for the elderly which makes provision for home maintenance and home-help services to assist the elderly to stay in their homes. Moller re-analyses data collected for South Africa's baseline study of the elderly to explore the possible benefits for South Africa's elderly when they live with adult children. Her comparative case studies are based on the assumption that black elders might prefer to live with sons as traditional custom dictates and whites would usually choose to live independently according to Western custom. Chen systematically explores the question of which children co-reside with elderly parents in Taiwan using a large national database and sophisticated multivariate analyses. He also raises the question whether filial piety is on the decline when children no longer co-reside with their parents. The last article in this issue picks up a subject relating to quality of life-a topic introduced in an article in the first issue of SAJG. Authors Gillespie and Louw wish to re-open the debate on activity and quality of life. They pose the provocative question: Does a decline in activity in the elderly really dampen morale? Preliminary results from the pilot study undertaken by the authors reported in the article yielded inconclusive results. However the pilot study involved only a small sample and is presented to make the point and whet our appetite for further research and debate. In support of Gillespie and Louw's call to re-open the debate on the activity question we contribute further South African evidence which allows for various interpretations
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 2, number 2, October 1993
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Møller, Valerie (editor), HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8067 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012859
- Description: Care of the elderly in the community. No society or government can offer total care for all elderly people in the population - no matter how developed or wealthy the country is. The financial and manpower implications of doing so would be enormous. This fact particularly applies to states in southern Africa, where a large proportion of the populations comprise poor or indigent persons. What this means is that a great deal of the responsibility for the care of these persons devolves upon caregivers in the community, usually the family. The capacity of such caregivers to render care, albeit at a subsistence level and in a piecemeal manner, must be supported. It is encouraging to note that there are local initiatives in this regard- even in the most impoverished squatter camps in South Africa. In such cases people come together in informal groups to help and support one another. The Black Pensioners' Association of Khayelitsha is one such group. Another way in which people help one another is through the practice of stokvels, where individuals put money into an informal joint banking system, and take turns in accessing large amounts of money for major purchases. Despite common understanding in official planning circles that people should themselves mainly take responsibility for their care, a large commitment nevertheless rests with the state. The state is committed to a large number of its citizens who are elderly, needy, and must be provided for. Such provision does not stop with the payment of a social pension. The primary units of care will remain the family and the community. The aim should be to assist the elderly to remain living independently within the community for as long as possible, despite disability and frailty where these conditions are present. The state should target its endeavours in this direction. There are many ways in which this can be done, e.g. through the provision of financial and other support to informal caregivers, and the rendering of geriatric nursing services and home-help services. could easily be implemented in southern African countries. Regular physical examinations and attention to the nutritional needs of older persons are important, for this can prevent many forms of ill health. This is where research comes in. We need to investigate practical and affordable ways of enhancing the health and welfare of elderly persons in our own context, i.e. in southern Africa countries. The articles in this number of SAJG point a way in this direction. , This issue: In an article on community involvement in health (CIH), Hildebrandt offers valuable suggestions based on her experience with a demonstration project in a South African black urban settlement. She shows how the situation of township residents can be improved by actively involving a community in practical endeavours, e.g. starting nutrition and reading programmes, and a basic health-screening programme. The project which she describes can serve as a model for similar projects in other developing communities. McCallum and Mathers present a paradigm for health services which, although developed in Australia, has wide relevance and should be taken into account in all planning for the aged. The authors demonstrate that a concomitant effect of a general improvement in the health of older persons gained by better health care is, paradoxically, an increased rate of disability and physical frailty. The authors point out that the burden of these disabilities has largely to be borne by informal caregivers at home. The article by Visser, van Wyk, Senekal and Uys deals with an entirely different area of ageing: the clothing needs and preferences of older women. This subject is not often dealt with in gerontological literature; to our knowledge this is the first article on this topic in southern Africa. The article presents some interesting findings. New sections: Two new sections are included in this number of SAJG. A section under the rubric Forum has been added. The section is intended to include reviews and overviews of current knowledge and advanced thinking on specific topics or subject areas in gerontology. The first contribution printed in Forum is a brief guide to the biological basis of ageing. In his guide Louw offers a unified hypothesis of the biology of ageing. The number also includes a correspondence section for the first time. A letter to the editor and a reply, in which the writers give their views on the measurement of successful ageing, have been printed. It is appropriate that SAJG, regarded as the most important peer-reviewed gerontology journal in Africa, should encourage high-level argument and polemics. Further responses to published material are therefore welcomed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Møller, Valerie (editor) , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Gerontology -- South Africa , Older people -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8067 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012859
- Description: Care of the elderly in the community. No society or government can offer total care for all elderly people in the population - no matter how developed or wealthy the country is. The financial and manpower implications of doing so would be enormous. This fact particularly applies to states in southern Africa, where a large proportion of the populations comprise poor or indigent persons. What this means is that a great deal of the responsibility for the care of these persons devolves upon caregivers in the community, usually the family. The capacity of such caregivers to render care, albeit at a subsistence level and in a piecemeal manner, must be supported. It is encouraging to note that there are local initiatives in this regard- even in the most impoverished squatter camps in South Africa. In such cases people come together in informal groups to help and support one another. The Black Pensioners' Association of Khayelitsha is one such group. Another way in which people help one another is through the practice of stokvels, where individuals put money into an informal joint banking system, and take turns in accessing large amounts of money for major purchases. Despite common understanding in official planning circles that people should themselves mainly take responsibility for their care, a large commitment nevertheless rests with the state. The state is committed to a large number of its citizens who are elderly, needy, and must be provided for. Such provision does not stop with the payment of a social pension. The primary units of care will remain the family and the community. The aim should be to assist the elderly to remain living independently within the community for as long as possible, despite disability and frailty where these conditions are present. The state should target its endeavours in this direction. There are many ways in which this can be done, e.g. through the provision of financial and other support to informal caregivers, and the rendering of geriatric nursing services and home-help services. could easily be implemented in southern African countries. Regular physical examinations and attention to the nutritional needs of older persons are important, for this can prevent many forms of ill health. This is where research comes in. We need to investigate practical and affordable ways of enhancing the health and welfare of elderly persons in our own context, i.e. in southern Africa countries. The articles in this number of SAJG point a way in this direction. , This issue: In an article on community involvement in health (CIH), Hildebrandt offers valuable suggestions based on her experience with a demonstration project in a South African black urban settlement. She shows how the situation of township residents can be improved by actively involving a community in practical endeavours, e.g. starting nutrition and reading programmes, and a basic health-screening programme. The project which she describes can serve as a model for similar projects in other developing communities. McCallum and Mathers present a paradigm for health services which, although developed in Australia, has wide relevance and should be taken into account in all planning for the aged. The authors demonstrate that a concomitant effect of a general improvement in the health of older persons gained by better health care is, paradoxically, an increased rate of disability and physical frailty. The authors point out that the burden of these disabilities has largely to be borne by informal caregivers at home. The article by Visser, van Wyk, Senekal and Uys deals with an entirely different area of ageing: the clothing needs and preferences of older women. This subject is not often dealt with in gerontological literature; to our knowledge this is the first article on this topic in southern Africa. The article presents some interesting findings. New sections: Two new sections are included in this number of SAJG. A section under the rubric Forum has been added. The section is intended to include reviews and overviews of current knowledge and advanced thinking on specific topics or subject areas in gerontology. The first contribution printed in Forum is a brief guide to the biological basis of ageing. In his guide Louw offers a unified hypothesis of the biology of ageing. The number also includes a correspondence section for the first time. A letter to the editor and a reply, in which the writers give their views on the measurement of successful ageing, have been printed. It is appropriate that SAJG, regarded as the most important peer-reviewed gerontology journal in Africa, should encourage high-level argument and polemics. Further responses to published material are therefore welcomed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
Southern African Journal of Gerontology, volume 1, number 1, October 1992
- Ferreira, Monica (editor), Moller, Valerie, HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Older people -- Care -- South Africa , Gerontology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012658
- Description: Southern African Journal of Gerontology; Produced within the framework of the Co-operative Research Programme on Ageing , The broad social issue of generational competition versus generational interdependence is discussed. The way elders are housed offers an excellent example of how benefits putatively allocated to older people in fact more often than not subsume benefits to family members of all ages. Data on generationally shared households from a number of countries and the results of recent studies from the United States are discussed in this context. Separate housing of generations is often preferred where feasible. Where economic, environmental. health, or social needs of either elder or young generations make autonomous households dysfunctional, members of each generation show in their household-formative behaviour their willingness to assist the other generation .
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Ferreira, Monica (editor) , Moller, Valerie , HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Older people -- Care -- South Africa , Gerontology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:8065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012658
- Description: Southern African Journal of Gerontology; Produced within the framework of the Co-operative Research Programme on Ageing , The broad social issue of generational competition versus generational interdependence is discussed. The way elders are housed offers an excellent example of how benefits putatively allocated to older people in fact more often than not subsume benefits to family members of all ages. Data on generationally shared households from a number of countries and the results of recent studies from the United States are discussed in this context. Separate housing of generations is often preferred where feasible. Where economic, environmental. health, or social needs of either elder or young generations make autonomous households dysfunctional, members of each generation show in their household-formative behaviour their willingness to assist the other generation .
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
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