Qualitative study reveals systemic barriers and culturally grounded resilience in older adults with disabilities, highlighting the need for inclusive community care.
Key Points
To investigate the daily lived experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms, and structural factors influencing older adults living with disabilities.
Conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults aged 65 and older living with disabilities in the Serowe/Palapye District, Botswana.
Analyzed interview transcripts thematically with ATLAS.ti software using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), guided by the social model of disability and a life-course perspective.
Participants experienced compounding challenges, including functional decline, memory loss, economic marginalization, social exclusion, and inadequate healthcare access.
Participants demonstrated strong agency and coping mechanisms through prayer, traditional dietary adjustments, light physical activity, and indigenous health practices.