This article was originally published as: Ageing in place or residential care? Exploring older persons’ routes to residential care in Johannesburg, South Africa
Original Article Link: Read Original Article
Download PDF: Click Here to Download PDF
Abstract
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasises the promotion and protection of the interrelated rights of older persons. Owing to their advanced age, older persons require a supportive environment to spend the later years of their lives in dignity. However, many older persons contend with the fear of murder, rape, abuse, neglect, and violent crime in South Africa. Deciding whether to age in their homes or in residential facilities is difficult for older persons because of the social and economic complexities in the country. It is critical for the government, social workers and all stakeholders to understand the factors that influence older persons’ decision to either age in their homes/ageing in place or in institutions. This qualitative exploratory study employed purposive sampling to select eight older persons from one residential facility in the North of Johannesburg, to whom semi-structured interviews were administered. All data was transcribed and analysed thematically. Findings showed that older persons opt for residential care owing mainly to loneliness and ill health. Since there is a cost involved in institutionalisation, financial support was the main theme that influenced their decisions. Among other recommendations, the study recommends further research that will encourage more innovative options for ageing.
Current and previous volumes are available at: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net
HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLESobantu M. (2024). Ageing in Place or Residential Care? Exploring Older Persons’ Routes to Residential Care in Johannesburg, South Africa. African Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 285-293. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i5.7
Authors
- Mziwandile SOBANTU ((PhD), Department of Social Work and Community Development, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)
Keywords
ageing in place, institutionalisation, older persons, residential facilities, South Africa
References
References not available for this article.
