This study was carried out against the background of HIV/AIDS having caused an orphan care crisis in Zimbabwe, with the brunt of care falling on the elderly who are themselves weak and frail due to age and socio-economic challenges. This burden fell on mainly the grandmothers who have had to bear the burden of caring for large numbers of orphaned grandchildren, with little or no support from the surviving members of the extended family or other sections of the community and government.
They faced a lot of challenges in their new care giving role which included lack of food, lack of money to pay for school fees for the orphans, etc, these challenges added on top of the health problems that the elderly caregivers were enduring with which were age related like BP, Back ache, Arthritis, diminished eye sight etc.
Against this background the study sought to determine the major causes of orphanage care, to identify the major challenges faced by these elderly caregivers in taking care of the orphans, and also to establish the coping strategies used by these elderly caregivers in upbringing the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) under their care. The study also determined the role played by Government and other stakeholders in assisting this group and also made recommendations of interventions that can help. This study would assist Government and other aid organisations in their planning, decision making and strategy formulation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- Introduction
- Background of the Study
- Statement of the Problem
- Purpose of the Study
- Research Objectives
- Research Questions
- Research Hypotheses
- Assumptions of the Study
- Significance of the Study
- Limitation of the Study
- Delimitations of the Study
- Chapter Summary
- LITERATURE REVIEW
- Introduction
- Definition of Key Terms
- Elderly
- Care
- Orphan
- Effects of HIV/AIDS on the Elderly Caregivers
- Aids Orphan Crisis
- Challenges faced by the Elderly in caring for the OVC
- Role Reversal
- Loss of Income
- Stigmatization
- Psychosocial needs
- Educational needs of the OVC
- Health Care needs
- Shelter needs
- Food and Nutrition needs
- Elderly Caregivers' Coping Strategies
- Role of Govt and NGOs in bailing out the elderly and OVC
- Policies on the Impact of HIV and AIDS
- Chapter Summary
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to understand the challenges faced by elderly caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in rural Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on the impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis. It explores the coping mechanisms employed by these elderly caregivers and examines the role of government and other stakeholders in supporting them.
- The impact of HIV/AIDS on elderly caregivers in rural Zimbabwe.
- The challenges faced by elderly caregivers in caring for OVC.
- The coping strategies employed by elderly caregivers.
- The role of government and other stakeholders in supporting elderly caregivers and OVC.
- Recommendations for interventions to improve the situation of elderly caregivers and OVC.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the study, providing background information on the orphan care crisis in Zimbabwe, particularly focusing on the burden placed on elderly caregivers. It outlines the study's objectives, research questions, and hypotheses. The chapter also discusses the significance and limitations of the study.
Chapter two delves into the literature review, providing definitions of key terms and exploring the effects of HIV/AIDS on elderly caregivers. It examines the challenges faced by these caregivers in caring for OVC and highlights the coping strategies they employ. The chapter also analyzes the role of government and NGOs in addressing the issue.
The third chapter outlines the research methodology employed in the study, providing details on the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this study lies in understanding the challenges and coping strategies of elderly caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in rural Zimbabwe within the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Key terms include elderly caregivers, OVC, coping strategies, HIV/AIDS, rural Zimbabwe, government support, and NGOs.
- Quote paper
- Marks Chitaka (Author), 2012, Coping Strategies for the elderly looking after Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in rural Zimbabwe, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/338727
