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'AIDS fatigue' takes hold of elderly

    JOHANNESBURG

    Elderly South Africans burdened with the responsibility of caring for HIV-positive family members are starting to show signs of AIDS fatigue, government officials said on Wednesday.

    In introducing the 'Older Person's Bill' in parliament to protect the rights of the aged, the deputy minister of social development, Jean Benjamin, said the impact of AIDS on younger people had forced the aged into the role of caregivers, which was causing them psychological trauma.

    "The grief and fear of the future stresses them and damages them emotionally. This added burden is probably the greatest risk factor jeopardising their own health status," the local Cape Argus newspaper quoted her as saying.

    Benjamin called on the elderly to stay active in the community and noted that "retirement should not stop one from being creative and making a contribution to society. We need to promote healthy ageing."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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