LTCcovid Country Profile – Printable Version
1.01. Population size and ageing context
In South Africa, 35% of people between the ages of 65 years and 75 years require some assistance with daily activities. For those 75 years and older, the percentage increases to 45% (source: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241513388).
Update for: South Africa Last updated: November 23rd, 2021
1.02. Long-Term Care system governance
South Africa’s Older Persons Act (2006), as well as more general legal and policy instruments, guides national action on long-term care. Coordination and implementation of national policy fall mainly to the Department of Social Development and to the Department of Health. The former administers old-age pensions and finances and oversees residential, community and home-based care, while the latter addresses older people’s health care needs. The Department of Human Settlements plays a lesser role, in that it regulates retirement villages. Overall coordination of long- term care across these Departments is lacking and clinical-level integration of health and social care is limited. Organized long-term care could be expanded to include a broader range of service approaches and settings (source: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241513388).
Update for: South Africa Last updated: January 6th, 2022
1.04. Approach to care provision, including sector of ownership
Traditionally, long-term care has been seen as a family responsibility yet few schemes are in place to support family caregivers. Private retirement villages cater mainly to older people with financial means. Publicly funded long-term care is available to only a small fraction of the older population. The majority of this type of care is provided in residential facilities which tend to be clustered in urban settings. Applicants are subject to a comprehensive assessment of their current living situation, family support, financial means and care needs. Only those who meet the criteria are eligible for admission. Individual care homes usually have their own admission policies and procedures, in addition to the formal criteria for obtaining public financial support. Availability of beds is another hurdle: most facilities have waiting lists for admission (source: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241513388).
Update for: South Africa Last updated: January 6th, 2022
1.10. Workforce conditions: pay, employment conditions, qualification levels, shortages
South Africa has National Norms and Standards (2008) that outline acceptable levels of service to be provided to older people. Recent audits have found many facilities in partial non-compliance. In addition, informal racially discriminatory practices were observed in some facilities, both in terms of admissions and quality of care.
In line with global trends, concerns have been raised about the rapidly increasing aging population in South Africa and the ability of the current healthcare system to keep pace with patient demand, particularly nursing home residents. Evidence suggests that the current workforce in South Africa receive limited training in this area and are largely unprepared to meet the demands of the aging population. Building the capacity and skills of the workforce in South Africa is one approach that could help to improve the early detection of infection and assist the nursing home workforce to provide more effective and timely care, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
A published paper suggests that decision support tools, such as the Early Detection of Infection Scale, can help ensure consistency and ensure more timely treatment, minimising unplanned admissions and healthcare expenditure. However, the potential benefits or indeed how easily this could be integrated in to nursing homes in South Africa is unknown.
Sources:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241513388
Carey, N., Boersema, G. C., & du Toit, H. S. (2021). Improving early detection of infection in nursing home residents in South Africa. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2021.100288
Update for: South Africa Last updated: January 6th, 2022 Contributors: William Byrd |
3.07.03. Visiting and unpaid carer policies in care homes
In June 2021, the country is at level 1 restriction, which eases restrictions on movements. Residents are allowed to receive visitors, whilst maintaining Covid-19 safety protocols. Visits are undertaken in controlled isolated areas, mostly indoors, with no hugging allowed. If residents go home to their family, they are expected to isolate for ten days upon return. The extent to which care homes have ‘opened up’ varies from facility to facility. There is renewed fear of a third wave of Covid-19 infections, due to a 39% increase in cases over the last week, which would bring with it stricter controls on movement, especially in care homes.
Update for: South Africa Last updated: September 8th, 2021
3.11. Vaccination policies for people using and providing Long-Term Care
Covid-19 vaccinations are completely voluntary in South Africa. The Constitution protects individuals’ rights to decide for themselves, without due influence. Care homes strongly encourage vaccination of staff (flu and Covid-19) but cannot make it compulsory or preclude staff from coming to work (this would become a labour law issue). The phase 2 of vaccination (general population – beyond health care workers) started during May 2020 and, at least the in Western Cape (if not the whole country) people in Long-Term Care Facilities and people aged 60 or over were being prioritized.
Update for: South Africa Last updated: September 7th, 2021