Living With Illness: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Older Women in a South African Township

Abstract

South Africa is experiencing a growing aging population, accompanied by the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and other age-related health challenges. However, older people living in low-income township settings continue to face significant barriers to accessing adequate healthcare. This study explores health experiences and healthcare access of older people residing in Umlazi, one of South Africa’s largest peri-urban settlements. Drawing on twenty semi-structured interviews with women aged 60 years and older, the study examines their perceptions of health, the chronic conditions they live with, and the difficulties they encounter in seeking medical care. The interviews reveal that most older people live with multiple chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and asthma, which greatly affect their mobility and quality of life. Limited income, long waiting times at health facilities, poor treatment from health personnel, and the cost of transport to clinics were reported as major barriers to healthcare access. Despite these challenges, family support emerged as a critical coping mechanism for managing illness and maintaining daily well-being. As such, there is an urgent need for policies that strengthen geriatric healthcare services and promote accessible, respectful, and continuous care for older people in South Africa.

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