Culturally diverse care for older persons: what do we expect of caregivers?

Abstract

Ageing is a natural life process. Older persons are a valuable resource, and are the repositories of tradition, culture, knowledge and skills. These attributes are essential when maintaining intergenerational links.¹ Globally, older persons are living longer and healthier lives than previously. South Africa has one of the most rapidly ageing populations in sub-Saharan Africa, and houses the second largest number of older persons in the region.² According to guidelines on the transformation of services to older persons, the elderly have been classified as a vulnerable group. The motivation behind this is that they could be exposed to a lifetime of hardship, malnutrition and poverty in old age, with high susceptibility to chronic disease.¹