Self-reported physical health among older surrogate parents to children orphaned and affected by HIV disease

Around the globe, older relatives, largely grandparents, have become the surrogate parents to children and adolescents orphaned by parental death from HIV/AIDS and to those whose infected parents are too ill to serve as their primary caregivers. Largely invisible to research, programme and policy initiatives, these older surrogate parents face compounded stress and the risk of neglected and compromised health. An exploratory study of third- and fourth-generation relatives (n=20, mean of 59 years) found an average of 3.3 chronic health conditions. Fifty-five per cent rated their own health as 'fair' or 'poor' and 70% reported having insufficient time to attend to their own health. Supportive services are needed to address the health needs of these 'hidden patients'.