EXPERIENCES OF ELDERLY WOMEN CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS IN MASINDI DISTRICT, UGANDA

ABSTRACT

High HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among adults aged 15-49 is increasingly affecting elderly women, as caregivers of their sick family members and orphaned grandchildren, where they face various challenges and demands. These leave them poor, physically, and psychologically affected. Their vulnerability is compounded by the disintegration of the family support system and the inability of public and private sectors to adequately address their needs. This study explored the experiences of Elderly Women Caring for People with HIV/AIDS in Masindi District, Uganda. It sought to identify the caregiving roles of elderly women caring for HIV/AIDS people, explored the role reversal experienced by elderly women when caring for adult children with HIV/AIDS, identified the challenges elderly women face in caring for people with HIV/AIDS, ascertained the coping strategies adopted, and the support services available for them. A qualitative approach was adopted, 24 participants selected, including caregivers aged 60 years or more and key informants from The Aids Support Organization (TASO) and Masindi Hospital. In-depth face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Creswell‘s (2009) concept of thematic analysis. Findings revealed that elderly women caring for HIV/AIDS people performed numerous roles, resulting in a role reversal when caring for dependent adult sick children, who are meant to care for these elderly parents. These posed economic, psychological, social, and physical challenges, thus adopting strategies to cope with the situation. Although family, friends, religious/community groups, government, and NGOs (TASO) provided support for the elderly caregivers, findings showed that efficient, optimal caregiving is lacking. The study recommends the Ugandan government to expand the Senior Citizens Grant (SCG) to include elderly caregivers for HIV/AIDS infected and affected people, to help meet their care needs. Also, there is the need to include the elderly caregivers in policy development and planning, on issues affecting them, to ensure that the policies/programs are working to meet their caregiving needs.