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:
- 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:
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:
- 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:
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:
- 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:
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