Reciprocity of Support in the Family: Perspective of Older Persons

As people grow older, there is a greater need for care and support. Families often play an important role in the provision of support, shelter, and care for older people in South Africa. The focus of this chapter is to understand the lived experiences of older people in providing and receiving care in South Africa. The study draws on interviews with 20 older people living in a township in South Africa. Children play an important role in taking care of the health care needs of their parents, especially if they are in a position to provide financial support. However, older adults do not want to burden their children, unless absolutely necessary. They would rather draw on their own resources before turning to their children for support. Older people are not a burden but sometimes a valuable source of care provision. Some feel that they are left with no choice because they are the only ones with the means to provide support within their homes and sometimes communities. Older people are dependent on family members for support, but they also provide support to others, particularly for young members of their households.