65 Or Older Demographic in South Africa

• Health-related stress: managing chronic illnesses, rising healthcare costs, and increased medication needs.
• Mobility and independence concerns: limitations from arthritis, balance issues, and reliance on caregivers or assistive devices.
• Social isolation: fewer social interactions, retirement, bereavement, and limited family engagement.
• Financial insecurity: fixed or reduced income, potential pension gaps, and uncertainty about long-term care costs.
• Caregiving responsibilities: needing to support a spouse or peers while managing their own health.
• Technology gaps: difficulty using digital services for healthcare, banking, and social connection.
• Sleep disturbances and cognitive concerns: changes in sleep patterns, memory lapses, and anxiety about dementia.
• Loss and grief: bereavement from peers and family members, leading to grief-related stress.
• Emergency preparedness and vulnerability: increased risk during emergencies (storms, heatwaves) and navigating public systems.

Workplace-relevant considerations and tips:

• Offer age-friendly health support options, such as telehealth access and flexible scheduling for medical appointments.
• Create peer support groups or mentoring programs that value older workers’ experience while addressing isolation.
• Provide clear, simple digital training to bridge tech gaps and maintain independence in workplace-related tasks (e.g., HR portals, benefits portals).
• Promote financial well-being resources and retirement planning assistance through employee benefits.
• Encourage caregiver-friendly policies (reduced hours, leave options) and mental health days.
• Facilitate safe, accessible commuting and ergonomic workstations if applicable to older staff.

Digital supports to consider:

• October: group sessions and content tailored to aging employees’ mental health may help with isolation, grief, and anxiety about health; consider offering targeted programs for 65+ employees and their caregivers.