Lived experiences of ageing and disability among older adults in Botswana

Ageing and disability are increasingly intersecting concerns in Botswana, yet little is known about how older adults experience disability in daily life. Existing policies often overlook the complex realities faced by this population, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This study investigates the lived experiences of older adults with disabilities, highlighting the challenges they face, their coping mechanisms, and the broader social and structural factors influencing their lives. A qualitative, interpretive research design was employed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults (aged 65 and above) living with various forms of disability in the Serowe/Palapye District. Participants were recruited through health service networks. Data were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti software, drawing on Smith’s Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to capture the depth of individual lived experiences while identifying shared patterns across narratives. The study was further guided by the social model of disability and a life-course perspective, enabling an exploration of how personal, social, and structural factors intersect over time to shape the experience of ageing with disability. Participants reported diverse and compounding challenges including health decline, memory loss, social exclusion, inadequate healthcare access, and economic marginalisation. Yet, many expressed positive aspects of ageing such as emotional growth, spiritual acceptance, and pride in lifelong contributions. Coping strategies included engaging in light physical activity, traditional dietary adjustments, prayer, and finding alternative ways to remain socially and culturally relevant. Participants showed strong agency through self-managed health practices, indigenous knowledge, and a deep sense of purpose despite disability. These experiences reflect both systemic barriers and the resilience embedded in cultural, familial, and personal resources. Disability in later life is shaped not only by functional decline but also by broader systemic, cultural, and economic barriers. Addressing the needs of older adults with disabilities in Botswana requires policy reforms that strengthen community-based care, improve accessibility, and integrate ageing and disability into national development plans. The study contributes to a growing body of literature on ageing and disability in sub-Saharan Africa and emphasizes the importance of rights-based, contextually grounded approaches to healthy ageing.