Abstract
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasises the promotion and protection of the interrelated rights of older persons.
Owing to their advanced age, older persons require a supportive environment to spend the later years of their lives in dignity.
However, many older persons contend with the fear of murder, rape, abuse, neglect, and violent crime in South Africa. Deciding
whether to age in their homes or in residential facilities is difficult for older persons because of the social and economic
complexities in the country. It is critical for the government, social workers and all stakeholders to understand the factors that
influence older persons’ decision to either age in their homes/ageing in place or in institutions. This qualitative exploratory study
employed purposive sampling to select eight older persons from one residential facility in the North of Johannesburg, to whom
semi-structured interviews were administered. All data was transcribed and analysed thematically. Findings showed that older
persons opt for residential care owing mainly to loneliness and ill health. Since there is a cost involved in institutionalisation,
financial support was the main theme that influenced their decisions. Among other recommendations, the study recommends further
research that will encourage more innovative options for ageing.