“I Would Never Be Able to Pay If It Was Not for My Children”: A Qualitative Study of Obstacles Facing Older People in Obtaining Healthcare

South Africa’s healthcare system is already under a great deal of pressure, and the increasing population of elderly is expected to exacerbate the many challenges already experienced by healthcare services. Among older Indians, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are among the leading causes of mortality in South Africa. To better understand experiences in accessing healthcare services, this study draws on 20 in-depth interviews with older Indian men and women. The interviews revealed that older Indian adults face various barriers to accessing healthcare services, ranging from physical and functional challenges, to transportation and poverty. They often rely on their children to pay for their medical insurance, or they provide them with transportation to receive healthcare. Older adults lean on family for support and assistance in meeting their healthcare needs. However, given the magnitude of the healthcare needs of older people, family can no longer support them alone.