The burden of care

Thousands of older people are struggling to look after sick sons, daughters and grandchildren orphaned by HIV. In southern Africa, up to 60 per cent of children orphaned by AIDS live with their grandparents.

74-year-old Akeyo lives in Kenya, where she looks after her 10 grandchildren. 'It wasn’t supposed to be like this,' says Akeyo. 'These children’s parents were supposed to be taking care of me. Now they are dead and I am nursing their children.'

The financial burden

Emotionally and physically exhausted, older carers' ability to work is restricted. AIDS has claimed the lives of the main breadwinners. Families that are already poor can be driven to destitution as they are forced to sell assets to pay for medicines.

70-year-old Rosa is struggling to care for her three orphaned grandchildren. 'I make a little money cutting and selling firewood, but I find it very hard to provide the children with food, clothing and medicine,' she says.

The lack of awareness

Older people are often overlooked by health and awareness programmes and don't know how to protect themselves from infection or treat the virus.

Until recently, the United Nations did not even collect data on HIV for those aged over 49. However, recent evidence suggests that one in 14 HIV-positive people are in this age group.

What we are doing

We ensure that older people have access to treatment, information, state support and training, so they can protect themselves from infection and teach others about HIV prevention.

We also ensure that older carers of orphaned children are well supported, so they can be more effective carers.

Our advocacy and training prevents suffering, reduces the incidence of inappropriate treatment, and lessens the risk of transmitting the disease.

Case studies

Nokwazi

In South Africa, Nokwazi (62) supports her four children and seven grandchildren, who have been orphaned by HIV and AIDS. She says: 'I cannot supplement my pension by working because I have small children to look after.'

Nokwazi receives support from our partner, the Muthande Society for the Aged (MUSA). ‘MUSA is helping me apply for child support grants. Only one of the children receives the grant because I don’t have birth certificates for the other children and MUSA is assisting us by getting new birth certificates.'

Nguinia Repeio

In Mozambique, Nguinia Repeio (58) struggled to look after her son living with HIV, Armando, and his wife and children.

Following testing and treatment with antiretroviral therapy, Armando regained his health, returned to full-time employment, and was once again able to care for his family.

Nguinia says, 'With the help of a loan from the social fund, Armando has even re-started his business.'

Gallery: How HIV affects older people

View our gallery to see how HIV affects the lives of older people in developing countries today.