A profile of informal carers in South Africa

摘要: A Profile of Informal Carers in South Africa _______________________________________________________ Student: Janetta Debora Joubert Supervisor: Professor J.L. van Tonder Co-supervisor: Ms M.H. Pietersen Department: Sociology Degree: Magister Artium (Demography) Demographic and epidemiological change has resulted globally changes population individual health, which, turn, have changing care needs. Africa, mainly through a confluence declining fertility rates pre-AIDS increases life expectancy, produced an ageing that is expected to continue for at least the next 10 15 years. Currently, Africa’s older (60 years+) much higher annual average percent growth rate than total population. Having more persons ever before implies increased prevalence frailty, chronic disease disability tendency physical, mental cognitive functional capacities—hence meaning larger demand care. The age structure commonly associated with cause death patterns. Recent research indicates intensive, vii University Pretoria etd – Joubert, J D (2005)