Elderly increasingly burdened by HIV and AIDS

HIV/AIDS is placing a heavy burden on the elderly in South Africa's Mpumalanga province, a study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has revealed. Researcher Dr Monde Makiwane found that 72 percent of older people were the main breadwinners in multi-generational households, and spent most of their income on household necessities and the education of grandchildren whose parents had either died or were away in cities. The local Mail and Guardian Online quoted Makiwane as saying: "Nine percent are caring for sick young adults ... 22 percent are staying with grandchildren, 20 percent take care of children aged six years or younger, and 46 percent take care of children aged between six and 18."