Stakeholders in the health and social welfare sectors have called for stronger family, community and government support systems to address the growing neglect and vulnerability of senior citizens in Nigeria.
They made the call in Ibadan at Senior citizens day out for elderly persons, organised by Dr Gbemisola Daramola, a public health family physician and Principal Medical Officer at the University Health Service, University of Ibadan.
One of the senior citizens at the event, a former consultant radiologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Prof. Ayotunde Ogunseyinde, emphasised the importance of social interaction and regular activities for older persons.
Ogunseyinde said fellowship and engagement helped senior citizens maintain emotional and physical wellbeing, noting that staying isolated at home often led to sadness and depression.
She urged government and private organisations to establish more centres where senior citizens could exercise, socialise, reminisce and interact with younger generations.
Another senior citizen, Pastor Segun Osu of the Redeemed Christian Church of God said the plight of elderly Nigerians required urgent attention, particularly through community-driven initiatives.
Osu noted that many elderly persons were suffering quietly due to inadequate government attention and weak social support, calling for more programmes dedicated to their welfare.
In her sermon, Pastor Biola Ajayi of Vine Branch Church underscored the need for supporting elderly people especially now that communal life has been eroded.
She called on children not to neglect their parents adding that adequate care must be provided for them not just in terms of cash but care towards their emotional well-being.
Ajayi said though many children were far their parents due to search for greener pastures overseas but that should not make them to abandon their loved ones.
Also a Geriatric Social Worker, Mr Olayinka Ajomale, attributed the challenges facing senior citizens to neglect at family, societal and governmental levels.
Ajomale said “The collapse of the extended family system and worsening socio-economic conditions had increased the vulnerability of older persons.
“Often times, elderly people are often wrongly perceived as liabilities rather than assets.”
According to him, senior citizens still possess valuable wisdom and experience that could positively influence society if properly harnessed.
He also criticised the exclusion of older persons from policy-making processes that directly affected them.
Ajomale urged the government to recognise senior citizens as a distinct population group requiring targeted policies.
In his remarks, Dr Ajibola Oladiran, a consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon at UCH, advised senior citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce mobility challenges.
Oladiran recommended good posture, appropriate footwear, safe home arrangements and regular physical activity, noting that dancing and moderate exercise could help keep joints supple and prevent falls.
Earlier Dr Daramola, said the initiative tagged ‘DokiCheck’ was inspired by her passion for elderly care and her observation that many senior citizens were increasingly isolated due to migration of their children abroad.
Daramola stated that the annual gathering was aimed at creating moments of joy, companionship and lasting memories for older persons, especially during festive periods.
“The challenge of accessing reliable caregivers is one of the major issues facing the elderly.
“Many elderly people primarily needed companionship rather than medical attention,” she said.
According to her, government involvement in providing affordable social centres and structured care systems would significantly improve the quality of life of senior citizens.
Daramola urged families, communities and authorities to prioritise elderly care, stressing that everyone hoped to grow old and must therefore prepare for the challenges of old age.
