Being elderly looks like death sentence in Nigeria – Don
Prof. Kanayo Ofodile, a clinical psychologist, says old age looks like a death sentence in Nigeria, as children abandon their elderly parents without care and compassion.
Ofodile made the assertion on Saturday in Awka, at the inauguration of the First Best Domiciliary Home Care World, a non-governmental organisation that cares for elderly people.
He said: “I reside in civilised countries—the U.S., to be precise—and we see and learn how they care so much about old people. The elderly are vulnerable and cannot care for themselves anymore.
“But it is a sad situation in our country. It looks like old age is a death sentence in our society. Children abandon their elderly parents and relatives without care.
“Many elderly persons are homeless, abandoned, lonely, unhealthy, and unkempt; hence, the establishment of this organisation. There is a need to start prioritising care for the elderly.
“We will be going round the state to pick up and cater for abandoned elderly people, and our trained social officers will be going to give home care to those who crave such services.
“We will be applying spirituality, clinical formulation, and reasoning to improve the lives of the elderly. Our society should not abandon the elderly; they are still very relevant.”
Ofodile called for a reorientation of the younger generation on the need to see the care of the elderly as an obligation.
In his speech, Mr. Ikemefuna Nwafor, Chairman of the event, said that the programme was aimed at setting a template for what should happen to the elderly segment of the population.
“It is sad that the elderly in civilised countries age gracefully and successfully while their counterparts in Nigeria are ageing in abandonment and frustration.
“Old age is a stage of life that we will all get to. It does not take a century to get there. It is just a matter of time. So, we need to plan and prepare to do better at taking care of the elderly in our society,” he said.
Mr. Ekene Mbah, Director, Care Services Nigeria, said that over 80 percent of the elderly in society lacked good domestic care and spent their old age in pain due to negligence and a lack of carers.
Mbah said that the organisation would be saddled with a new approach to taking care of the homes of the elderly to cater for their needs and improve their lives.
He urged the state government and well-meaning individuals to support the organisation in its mission.
“Owing to the nature of these care-giving services, we appeal for support in the areas of ambulances for emergencies and utility vehicles for the movement of social officials across the state.
“We also need a minibus for strolling with elderly people as part of their fun experiences and a piece of land to build a geriatric Home centre for training carers, for relaxation, and as a home for homeless elderly people.
In his remarks, Igwe Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu said that the elderly needed care and company as loneliness and depression killed them faster.
“This is a laudable project, and we promise that our communities will work with you because we want our people to age gracefully, fulfilled, and longer,” he said.
