Socio-economic circumstances and functional abilities of elderly black persons in the Orange Free State
Bester, F.C.; Weich, D.J.; Albertyn, E.W.
South African Medical Journal 82(2): 110-113
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 1387256 Document Number: 402393
A community-based epidemiological study was undertaken to determine the health profile of the elderly black population in the Orange Free State. Four hundred elderly blacks were randomly selected from 10 towns. Questionnaires on past and present illnesses, socio-economic circumstances (including formal education) and daily activities were completed. Most of the elderly blacks received a state old-age pension and 15.3% were still economically active. We found that 63% of the subjects were illiterate and that 31% did not live with their children. Inability to perform any of six activities was found in 3.2%. In view of the high number of elderly persons living alone, we feel that the development of support services should receive urgent attention.