Understanding Dementia and Elder Abuse in South Africa: The Challenge of ‘Ageing in Place’ with Dignity

Dementia is often not recognised as a serious health condition in South Africa and goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, while the care falls primarily within an unprepared family. While South Africa’s policy environment supports the philosophy of ‘ageing in place’ or ‘active ageing’, the country faces many challenges that threaten ageing in place with dignity where older persons are valued, respected, and treated ethically. This chapter describes the realities of people with dementia and their families in South Africa and shows how unsupported environments threaten the achievement of ‘ageing in place’ with dignity. The chapter provides an understanding of dementia in context and shows how unsupported needs lead to self-isolation and risk of elder abuse. For most South Africans, ageing is hard and an undignified experience. Dignified ageing requires support that includes public education and training, adequate service development, and strengthening culturally acceptable support for older persons and their families.