Struggles over elder care in South Africa

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology
• Public Policy

Background:

• The South African state has shifted elder care from facilities to 'ageing in place'.
• This policy change lacks investment in community and home-based care support.
• This creates significant strain on family caregivers and care workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the tensions and struggles in elder care in South Africa.
• To understand the impact of state de-funding on familial and community care.
• To analyze the relationship between care regimes and carer experiences.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of the elder care landscape in South Africa.
• Examination of the socio-political context of 'ageing in place'.
• Analysis of carer stress through familial and interpersonal conflict lenses.

Main Results:

• Stresses on unpaid and paid carers are often perceived as individual failings.
• Interpersonal conflicts arise due to inadequate socio-political support structures.
• The familialist care regime intensifies pressures on everyday care relationships.

Conclusions:

• The 'ageing in place' policy, without adequate support, exacerbates carer burdens.
• Familialist approaches obscure the socio-political nature of elder care challenges.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving elder care systems and supporting carers.