Oral presentation notes for Older Person’s Bill

Numbers

Older persons are likely to suffer a double whammy in this

It is also true that for many children, staying with grandparents is reasonable and positive alternative to various alternative care options (which are also limited in South Africa, especially in the face of the size of the crisis).

We cannot pretend that this is not happening, and we need to make sure that older persons receive financial, social and emotional support in this difficult but critical time in the lives of their grandchildren.

Efficient access to social grants for older persons and children is a key element; however support and guidance in raising a new generation of children in substantially different and more challenging circumstances than the first time around is also critical. Programmes which assist with this and which address the stigmatisation of HIV are essential.

The range of role-players who need to address these problems is as complex as the problems themselves, and an inter-sectoral approach is required to ensure that minimum standards, appropriate co-ordination and reporting mechanisms are in place and effective.

Actual suggested wording is provided in section 5 of the written submission.