The collaborative construction of an intergenerational relationship education model to address the needs of grandparents caring for grandchildren orphaned by AIDS

Abstract

This study addressed the problem posed by the HIV and AIDS epidemic with regards to its impact on elderly grandparents caring for grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. As a result of having to care for their AIDS-orphaned grandchildren, elderly grandparents face challenges, such as financial constraints, health problems, social isolation, and mired intergenerational relationships. This study therefore aimed at engaging stakeholders to collaborate towards coming up with intergenerational education based strategies to address the needs of grandparents caring for AIDS-orphaned grandchildren in the Kingdom of Eswatini. To achieve the aims of the study, I employed a qualitative design situated within a transformative philosophical paradigm utilising a participatory action research approach to inquiry. The intergenerational relationship theory, activity theory and the continuity theory were the theoretical frameworks that informed this study. Ten grandparents formed the action learning set and eight stakeholders participated in focus group discussions. Data generation was done over three cycles employing several action learning set meetings, drawing activities, narratives and storytelling as well as focus group discussions. The participatory action research process was inductively analysed and thematically interpreted. Findings suggest that grandparents taking care of AIDS-orphaned grandchildren have needs that compromise their well-being. Nonetheless, if stakeholders effectively collaborate to come up with intergenerational programmes that address these needs, grandparents in the Kingdom of Eswatini could keep active and continue to play a parental role even at late life. Basing on the findings of the study, I then developed an intergenerational education model that could be employed for sustainable grandparenting in intergenerational households. The model could also be adapted to other contexts to improve support for elderly grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren.