The socio-economic survival strategies employed by older rural people in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

This research addresses the need for a comprehensive study of the specific problems of senior citizens living in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The researcher used qualitative methods and focus groups in order to collect the opinions, views, and the experiences of the older persons on the particular problems in a rural context. Senior citizens in different areas of the Eastern Cape were interviewed. Secondary sources were also used to supplement primary sources. The participants reported on their perceptions of social support, satisfaction, and illness in relation to depression. Depression was not found to be a significant health problem in this elderly population. However, there were correlations between hypertension and depression that were noted. Life conditions and health of older persons were investigated with a questionnaire. More significant environmental and social variable categories linked to aging perception were poor education, low income, female gender, widowhood, unsatisfactory health perception, perceived high functional disability, difficulty in reaching services, and environmental problems. Social and environmental factors could play a significant role in determining health status and disability with the increasing need of social and health care services.