65 Or Older Demographic in South Africa

• Retirement and financial security stress: Worries about pension adequacy, rising medical costs, and affordability of daily living.
• Health deterioration and chronic illness: Increased risk of chronic conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes), managing multiple medications, and frequent medical appointments.
• Loss of loved ones and social isolation: Friends and spouses passing away, shrinking social networks, and reduced daily interaction.
• Mobility and independence: Dependence on others for transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, and potential need for care facilities.
• Cognitive concerns: Anxiety about memory changes or neurodegenerative conditions, plus fear of diagnosis and loss of independence.
• Bereavement and purpose: Coping with purpose shifts after career end, role changes in family dynamics, and identity adjustments.
• Acute health events: Higher likelihood of hospitalizations, surgeries, and recovery challenges.
• Safety at home: Fall risks, home hazards, and need for home modifications or assistive devices.
• Access to care: Navigating healthcare systems, transportation to appointments, and technology barriers for telehealth.

If helpful, digital group sessions or resources from October can support aging employees in the workplace by providing coping strategies for isolation, resilience, and planning for retirement-related stress.