An estimated 13 million children under the age of 15 have already lost either one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. A further 40 million children will lose their parents within the next 10 years. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic hits families in Africa and Asia, large numbers of grandparents are assuming responsibility for the care of orphans and vulnerable children. It is urgent that policymakers are made aware of the caring role played by older people and that adequate financial, social and emotional support is provided.

A policy report produced by HelpAge International and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance describes the issues faced by older people and young orphans and provides good practice recommendations for families who are coping with the impact of the epidemic. In southern Africa more than half of orphans who are not living with a surviving parent, or who have lost both parents, live with their grandparents. Comparison of school attendance figures suggests that orphans looked after by grandparents are in better care than those living with other carers who are not family members.

Grandparents have a deep sense of responsibility to keep the family together, even if it is at a high personal cost to themselves. They face enormous difficulties that are poorly-understood as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic – economic vulnerability, reduced access to education, exclusion from HIV/AIDS prevention programme, emotional trauma and social prejudice. Many older people feel they are failing in their role as a carer because they are unable to protect their family from the social isolation HIV/AIDS often brings.

The lives of older people and those they care for can be improved. HelpAge International and International HIV/AIDS Alliance describe how:

• non-contributory pension schemes in South Africa make vital contributions to the running of households
• community credit schemes in Mozambique and Thailand donate interest from loans to the most vulnerable households
• home-based and community care programmes in Zambia provide vital healthcare to households of older people and children
• older people in Sudan are being trained as counsellors to support those affected by HIV/AIDS and to provide facts and practical advice
• clubs for older people in Vietnam help members to overcome discrimination by sharing experiences and problems.

If international commitments on HIV/AIDS and poverty reduction are to be met then national governments, donors, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations need to work together to involve older people and orphans in formulating national and local strategies. This can be done by:

• providing direct income support to address the financial needs of older carers
• including older people and orphans in all HIV/AIDS programmes
• guaranteeing access to universal and flexible education services for orphans and vulnerable children
• developing policies and programmes that address the psychological and social needs of older carers and orphans
• undertaking research and collecting data on the needs and roles of older carers in order to design HIV/AIDS interventions that are inclusive of older people.

Provided appropriate support is available to older people, orphans and vulnerable children, they have shown resilience in overcoming some of the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Source(s):
‘Forgotten families: older people and carers of orphan and vulnerable children’ by International HIV/AIDS Alliance and HelpAge International, 2003 Full document.

Funded by: USAID, Help the Aged UK

id21 Research Highlight: 26 November 2004

Further Information:
Fiona Clark
HelpAge International
PO Box 32832
London N1 9ZN
UK

Tel: +44 20 7278 7778
Fax: +44 20 7843 1840
Contact the contributor: fclark@helpage.org

HelpAge International

Caroline Halmshaw
International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Queensberry House
104-106 Queens Road
Brighton BN1 3XF
UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1273 718 900
Fax: +44 (0) 1273 718 901
Contact the contributor: chalmshaw@aidsalliance.org

International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Other related links:
'New burdens on old shoulders - the impact of HIV'

'No excuses: facing up to the AIDS orphans crisis'

'On the move: helping Africa’s migrating AIDS orphans'

'See id21's collection of links relevant to HIV/AIDS'

'Look at this WHO factsheet on the public health challenge of ageing'

Resources for Prevention and Treatment - Women Children and HIV