Family Caregiving of Older Persons in South Africa Report

The Family Caregiving of Older Persons in South Africa report reviews how family caregiving of older persons happens. Based on the experiences of 103 caregivers and 96 older persons across 100 family units in seven sites in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, the report outlines the costs of family care of older persons, We argue that family care of older persons is overstretched, fragile and not infinite and not sustainable. While most older persons had their care needs met, this came at a significant cost to caregivers and families, especially given high unemployment, poverty, and migration. The report outlines that daughters and female kin are typically primary caregivers, but older persons cannot always rely on them, and the demands of care are intensified by poor access to basic services like water, transport, and healthcare. Many households are under financial strain, forcing older persons and their caregivers to go without food or essential items, and both caregivers and older persons often experience invisible emotional stress, loneliness, and depression. We recommend three key ways in which family care can be supported: compensation for caregivers, expanded access to home-based care, and improved provision of essential supplies such as incontinence products, medication, and nutritious food.