Care-giving and -receiving among older people in rural South Africa: implications for functional disability and emotional well-being

Assess relationship between care-giving and -receiving with functional disability and emotional well-being of older people aged 50+ in rural South Africa. Data were from cross-sectional survey adapted from WHO’s SAGE. Bivariate and multivariable logistics were used to assess relationship between care-giving and/or care-receiving with functional ability, emotional well-being and self-rated health status adjusted for socio-demographic factors. 422 participants were enrolled; median age 60. 63% were care-givers. In multivariable logistic regressions, care-givers to both adults and children were more likely to be in good functional ability (aOR 5.74, 95% CI 3.13-10.55). This relationship was stronger for care-giving to adults (aOR 4.95, 95% CI 3.02-8.11) than children (aOR 2.35, 95% CI 1.43-3.85). In contrast, care-givers were less likely in good emotional well-being (aOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.21-0.62); again relationship stronger for care-givers to adults (aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.24-0.60) than children (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.95). Participants giving and receiving care concurrently were twice as likely to be in good functional ability, but 47% less likely to be in good emotional well-being. Findings suggest care-giving is associated with poor emotional well-being. Social support may help mitigate emotional stress of care-giving.