Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Background: Service centres for older persons were set up in South Africa to implement programmes relating to the six determinants of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) active ageing framework. The framework highlights the value of being physically active to prevent functional decline. Objective...

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Main Authors: Ntsikelelo Pefile, Bomkazi Fodo, Seyi Amosun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2022-01-01
Series:South African Journal of Physiotherapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1567
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author Ntsikelelo Pefile
Bomkazi Fodo
Seyi Amosun
author_facet Ntsikelelo Pefile
Bomkazi Fodo
Seyi Amosun
author_sort Ntsikelelo Pefile
collection DOAJ
description Background: Service centres for older persons were set up in South Africa to implement programmes relating to the six determinants of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) active ageing framework. The framework highlights the value of being physically active to prevent functional decline. Objective: Our aim was to explore the characteristics of these centres and their members in the Eastern Cape province. Method: An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilised to explore the characteristics of 25 centres and the profiles of their managers and 275 members of these centres. Results: The managers had no formal training. Health and social care system requirements were important in the province, but access to healthcare services was minimal, and managers were concerned about the physical environment. Over 50% of the centres provided meals (72%), social support services (60%), dance and aerobics (56%), blood glucose testing (52%) and guardianship for members without families (52%). The members reported multiple morbidities, including hypertension (59%), diabetes (16%) and arthritis (10.5%). Few members used tobacco (n = 20) and alcohol (n = 27), but most (n = 213) were afraid of falling although they went about their daily activities with minimal difficulties. Members were satisfied with their lives (n = 231). Conclusion: The centres provided platforms to enable the fulfilment of some of the goals of the WHO’s active-ageing framework, but a comprehensive exploration of the centres and the members is needed. Clinical implications: Physiotherapy, as part of interdisciplinary intervention, will promote the physical health of the members of the centres.
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spelling doaj.art-483c72b504b34ba496f42afa8a48fdd12022-12-22T02:56:25ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Physiotherapy0379-61752410-82192022-01-01781e1e910.4102/sajp.v78i1.15671477Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South AfricaNtsikelelo Pefile0Bomkazi Fodo1Seyi Amosun2Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; and, School of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanSchool of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDepartment of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, University of Cape Town, RondeboschBackground: Service centres for older persons were set up in South Africa to implement programmes relating to the six determinants of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) active ageing framework. The framework highlights the value of being physically active to prevent functional decline. Objective: Our aim was to explore the characteristics of these centres and their members in the Eastern Cape province. Method: An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilised to explore the characteristics of 25 centres and the profiles of their managers and 275 members of these centres. Results: The managers had no formal training. Health and social care system requirements were important in the province, but access to healthcare services was minimal, and managers were concerned about the physical environment. Over 50% of the centres provided meals (72%), social support services (60%), dance and aerobics (56%), blood glucose testing (52%) and guardianship for members without families (52%). The members reported multiple morbidities, including hypertension (59%), diabetes (16%) and arthritis (10.5%). Few members used tobacco (n = 20) and alcohol (n = 27), but most (n = 213) were afraid of falling although they went about their daily activities with minimal difficulties. Members were satisfied with their lives (n = 231). Conclusion: The centres provided platforms to enable the fulfilment of some of the goals of the WHO’s active-ageing framework, but a comprehensive exploration of the centres and the members is needed. Clinical implications: Physiotherapy, as part of interdisciplinary intervention, will promote the physical health of the members of the centres.https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1567population ageingactive ageingservice centres for older personswho active-ageing frameworkdepartment of social development
spellingShingle Ntsikelelo Pefile
Bomkazi Fodo
Seyi Amosun
Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
population ageing
active ageing
service centres for older persons
who active-ageing framework
department of social development
title Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
title_full Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
title_fullStr Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
title_short Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
title_sort exploration of service centres for older persons in the eastern cape province south africa
topic population ageing
active ageing
service centres for older persons
who active-ageing framework
department of social development
url https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1567
work_keys_str_mv AT ntsikelelopefile explorationofservicecentresforolderpersonsintheeasterncapeprovincesouthafrica
AT bomkazifodo explorationofservicecentresforolderpersonsintheeasterncapeprovincesouthafrica
AT seyiamosun explorationofservicecentresforolderpersonsintheeasterncapeprovincesouthafrica