The AIDS pandemic has affected the lives of millions worldwide and has a particular
devastating impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Much is known about the effects of AIDS on
children and on young adults but little attention is given to the plight of grandparents.
This study focused on an increasing phenomenon in the black South African family and
the increase of families headed by aged individuals who are often reliant on pension payouts
for their livelihood. Against this background, this research explored the challenges
facing a sample of ten black South African grandmothers between the ages of sixty-four
and seventy-eight, living in Katlehong, west of Ekurhuleni in the outskirts of
Johannesburg. These participants attended a granny-support group at Khanya Family
Centre, a non-governmental organization. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were
conducted. The study focused exclusively on the participants’ challenges to cope, and
their social support needs as caregivers. The findings of this study showed that elderly
women caring for AIDS orphaned grandchildren faced substantial obstacles in meeting
their caregiving responsibilities. Some of the challenges faced by these grandmothers as
caregivers included lack of psychological support, emotional support and socio-economic
support. They also experienced stressful lives, compounded by age-related ailments and
conditions. Coping with the challenges of caring for the AIDS orphaned grandchildren as
well as their own problems negatively impacted on their psychological, emotional and
physiological well-being.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/7019 |
| Date | 17 June 2009 |
| Creators | Tloubatla, Sibongile |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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